Pet-friendly: a guide to stain-resistant fabric

Pets bring endless joy and companionship to our lives, earning their title as man’s best friend. But when it comes to your sofa, they can be its worst enemy. From fur and claws to occasional accidents, pets put furniture fabrics to the test daily. That’s why selecting the right material is crucial for maintaining a stylish and pet-friendly home.

As a general rule, fabrics with a dense weave and synthetic fibres are the most resilient, and darker colors are often a safer choice. However, the rise of performance fabrics has changed the game, offering stain resistance and durability that allow you to confidently choose lighter hues without sacrificing style. With the right fabric, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a pet-friendly home and furniture that stands the test of time.

We spoke to Zepel’s Nick Greenwood who shares what qualities we should be looking for in pet-friendly fabrics and the most innovative fabric technology on the market. 

What to look for in pet-friendly fabrics

While we adore our pets, their messes can be a challenge on our soft furnishings, making stain-resistant fabric a must-have for any pet owner. But durability is equally essential to withstand the inevitable wear and tear that comes with a pet-friendly home, shares Nick. 

“Washability is another huge bonus, keeping your furniture not only looking great, but fresh and hygienic as well.”

The latest innovations in pet-friendly performance fabric have opened up a lot more options, and means pet owners aren’t restricted to choosing grey furniture. Zepel’s Fibreguard fabric is designed to be easy to clean and it has been tested for 17 household stains that commonly occur in households with pets. 

“In order to obtain the FibreGuard seal of approval, they all need to clean off easily with just water and white bar soap,” shares Nick. “This is the other great thing about cleaning FibreGuard around pets – no sprays, coatings or cleaning products are required that might be dangerous for your pet, only water!”

Martindale ratings (which measure rub count) are also very important when it comes to shopping for pet-friendly fabrics, because the higher the rub count, the more durable to pet wear and tear the fabric will be. FibreGuard fabrics are exemplary in this regard, says Nick. 

“FibreGuard fabrics all passed rigorous laboratory testing to make sure they are resistant to wear and abrasion, tearing and pilling.”

Eco-friendly and pet-friendly fabrics

Protecting your furniture from the impact of wear and tear that pets can bring is not the only thing you want to protect when you have a furry friend at home; you’ll also want to protect your pet’s health from harmful chemicals. That’s why many FibreGuard products also fall under Zepel’s eco label (which means they are composed of at least 50% recycled or organic materials), these include Naturama, Indiana, and Cozy.

In addition, all FibreGuard fabrics are Oeko-Tex 100 certified, meaning they contain no harmful substances and do not release any harmful residues when washed, making them both safe for the family, pets and the environment.

While pet-friendly fabrics like FibreGuard have many advantages for longevity and durability, Nick says they’re an excellent choice even for those without pets.

“The best part about performance fabrics is they are incredibly low-maintenance, because stains are easy to spot clean. Our recommendation is to keep your pets well maintained as well – keeping dog claws trimmed, regular brushing and bathing, and training around scratching and chewing!”

Explore FibreGuard fabrics from Zepel