Pet-Friendly Sofas: Is an Easy Clean Fabric Upgrade Worth It?
By Alex at SOFGO ·
If you share your home with a dog or cat, you already know that the sofa is their favourite spot too. Muddy paws after a wet walk, a bit of fur on everything, the occasional knocked-over mug: a sofa in a pet household has a harder life than most.
Many SOFGO sofas can be ordered in our Easy Clean fabric, a water- and pet-resistant weave, for a fixed £199 extra. This guide explains what that upgrade does, what it can't do, and how to decide whether it's worth it for your home.
What SOFGO's Easy Clean fabric is
On sofas and beds that offer it, you'll see two fabric options on the product page:
- Standard fabric, our soft-touch everyday fabric, at the listed price.
- Easy Clean, a water- and pet-resistant weave that wipes clean and is designed to be tougher against paws, claws and spills. It's a fixed £199 upgrade, whichever sofa you choose.
"Water resistant" means spills tend to sit on the surface for a while instead of soaking straight in. That gives you time to blot them up. "Pet resistant" means the weave is designed to stand up better to everyday contact with pets and to let hair and dirt come away more easily.
Some of our standard fabrics are also described on their product pages as tightly woven and pet-friendly, wiping clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Easy Clean is the specific upgrade for households that want extra protection on top of that.
Who it's worth it for
The £199 is most likely to pay for itself if:
- You have a dog that's allowed on the sofa, especially one that comes in wet or muddy.
- You have young children, or anyone who eats and drinks on the sofa.
- You're choosing a light colour and want to keep it looking fresh.
- The sofa is also a guest bed, so it gets more handling than an ordinary sofa.
It's less important if pets aren't allowed on the furniture, the sofa is in a quiet adults-only room, or you always use a washable throw anyway.
What no fabric can promise
It's worth being honest here. No upholstery fabric is claw-proof, chew-proof or completely waterproof.
- A determined cat can still pull threads on almost any fabric. A resistant weave helps, but a scratching post and trimmed claws help more.
- Water resistance buys you time; it doesn't make the fabric waterproof. A spill left overnight, or a large accident that soaks through to the foam, still needs proper cleaning.
- Strong-smelling accidents need prompt treatment with a suitable cleaner, whatever the fabric.
If a seller tells you a fabric is indestructible, be sceptical. The aim is to make everyday life easier, not to pretend accidents won't happen.
Choosing a pet-friendly sofa shape
The fabric matters, but so does the design.
- Tight weaves over loose loops. Loopy textures like bouclé look lovely but can catch on claws. A flat, tight weave is more forgiving.
- Mid-tones hide more. Very pale and very dark fabrics both show hair. A mid grey or oatmeal is often the easiest to live with.
- Removable or reachable cushions make it easier to vacuum where the fur collects.
- Storage keeps pet clutter hidden. A storage chaise is a handy home for spare throws, lint rollers and the dog's blanket.
- Legs and clearance. A small gap under the sofa lets you vacuum underneath. Deep, low bases stop toys disappearing underneath.
Everyday care for a sofa shared with pets
A little routine goes a long way:
- Put a washable throw on the favourite spot. It's much easier to wash a throw than to clean a seat cushion.
- Vacuum weekly with an upholstery attachment, paying attention to seams and the gaps between cushions.
- Use a damp rubber glove or a lint roller for quick hair removal between vacuums. Sweep in one direction and the hair balls up.
- Wipe muddy marks once they're dry, brushing off the loose dirt first, then wiping with a damp cloth.
- Plump and rotate cushions so wear is spread evenly.
- Keep claws trimmed and give cats a scratching post near the sofa, which is often where they want to scratch.
Dealing with spills and accidents
- Act quickly and blot, don't rub. Press a clean, dry cloth onto the spill to lift as much as you can. Rubbing pushes liquid deeper and can rough up the surface.
- Use a little lukewarm water and mild soap on a clean cloth. Work from the outside of the mark towards the centre so it doesn't spread.
- Don't soak the fabric. Too much water can reach the foam and leave a ring as it dries.
- Test any cleaner on a hidden area first, such as the back or underside, and follow the care guidance for your fabric.
- For pet accidents, blot thoroughly, then use a cleaner designed for pet stains, following its instructions. Let it air dry away from direct heat.
If you're unsure about a stain, message us with the sofa name and a photo before you try anything strong.
Our sofas with the Easy Clean option
Here are a few examples, with normal prices re-checked on the live product pages on 6 October 2026. The price is shown first in standard fabric, then in Easy Clean.
| Product | Standard | Easy Clean |
|---|---|---|
| Verity Corner Sofa Bed With Storage M84 | £779 | £978 |
| Goldcrest Corner Sofa Bed With Storage K42 | £799 | £998 |
| Fairhaven Corner Sofa Bed With Storage M84 | £1,199 | £1,398 |
| Aldbury Corner Sofa (Exclusive, made to order) | £1,399 | £1,598 |
| Bramcote Swivel Chair (made to order) | £649 | £848 |
Easy Clean is also offered on many of our designer beds and Exclusive sofas. Check the "Choose your fabric" section on any product page.
Every order includes free UK mainland delivery, with free assembly in the room of your choice and the packaging taken away. There are 14 days to return if you change your mind.
So, is it worth it?
If pets or children share the sofa, or you're choosing a lighter colour, the Easy Clean upgrade is usually worth the £199. It won't make a sofa indestructible, but it makes everyday spills and muddy paws easier to deal with. If the sofa lives in a quiet room with no pets allowed, the standard fabric will serve you well.
Still torn? Message us with how you use the sofa, and we'll tell you which fabric we'd pick.
FAQs
How much is the Easy Clean upgrade?
It's a fixed £199 on any sofa or bed that offers it, shown as a separate price on the product page.
Is Easy Clean fabric waterproof?
No. It's water resistant, so spills tend to sit on the surface long enough for you to blot them up. It isn't designed to hold back large spills left for a long time.
Will Easy Clean stop my cat scratching the sofa?
No fabric can promise that. Easy Clean is designed to be tougher against paws and claws, but a scratching post nearby and trimmed claws make the biggest difference.
Got questions about Easy Clean? Message our team with the sofa you like. You can also browse our corner sofa beds with storage from £699, all of which offer the Easy Clean option.