But it's an ugly couch! A little rent-a-center don't you think?

I have a microfiber loveseat and I never really worried about it one way or another until one day when it looked like someone sat in something and then came and sat on my loveseat. Whatever it was, it came off with a little bit of scrubbing and once it dried and I brushed it out a little you would never have known. I WISH my sofa was that easy to clean. So I would vote yea if you have a messy house or pets or something like that but if you are a tidy person that usually doesn't worry about staining your furniture I would say maybe you could save your money if it is more expensive than other options you like.

I have two orange chairs covered in microfiber suede and I would definitely recommend it!!

The material looks and feels great and it really does clean up easily. I accidently got pen ink on one of them and was able to get the entire stain out.

Do it. I love white and cream colors for couches so it is a necessity that I can clean the material easily. I purcahsed a white microfiber sectional a year ago and have spilled or dumped tons of things on it. Mr Clean magic eraser cleans it off every time. Seriously. you would think it is still brand spanking new. The fabric is also soft and cozy.

I would highly recommend it. Kathryn must like to do crossword puzzles as much as I do. I too got ink on my sofa and was able to get rid of the stain using water and a sponge.

Yes, especially if you have pets. I miss my old microfiber couch, it was easy to clean pet hair from and the cats could not do any damage to it even if they tried.

I've heard it's a good choice for those with cats but not why. Does anyone know why?

Ha! Kelly answered my question as I was typing it. Thanks Kelly!

Hi April,

We have a white "micro-suede" couch from The Sofa Co. We had it custom made to fit our space and it cost a lot. When we bought the nice lady told us it would be easy to upkeep...

I'm not sure if it's because the color is white or because I am a super neat freak, but the material is not as easy to clean/upkeep as they say. If you get a light color, anytime you sit on it with jeans or dark clothes the fibers of those clothes transfer and get stuck in the microfiber material. Then you have to make sure your hands are clean and lotion free because when you go to pull out the fibers (vaccum doesn't suck em out), the oils from your hands can leave marks.

And depending on how anal you are, the swirl marks left after sitting will drive you nuts! But I really am particular so these issues may not be a big deal to you.

I'm glad we have our couch, its very pretty against the dark gray walls, but I'll never get microsuede again. For the money we spent, we could have really splurged on a Lampert sofa from Jonathan Adler. It would have been much smaller, but he has a silver color in a material similar to microsuede but much more durable and comfy and nicer looking.

If you go with a light color, please consider a different material. There are many lovers of microsuede, its super comfy, and maybe a darker color works best. I did spill coffee on it, and with warm water and Woolite (shhh, don't tell my teflon guarantee people) it came right up.

Good luck with your sofa purchase, I hope this helped a little.

Kelly - Really, your cats couldn't hurt it?! How hard did they try? ;)

I need new living room furniture, but the idea of my cats messing up something nice is very off-putting. They're not horrible about scratching really, but they are cats and they have all their claws. So stuff happens.

Hope hopeful that microfiber might be a solution! (though the texture is not my favorite)

Sorry for the slightly snarky remark, I find microsuede tacky and cheap looking. It leaves marks when you sit on it - who wants butprints on their furniture? - and is always looks like the furniture they use in model homes.

If you are going to splurge, don't splurge on fabric, splurge a sofa with great lines. One that is going to look good regardless of trends and that you can recover when you get sick of the fabric or stain it.

I have a microfiber sofa, albeit in a chocolate brown color, and NOTHING shows on it, no matter how sloppy I am when I eat dinner at the coffee table! And, Candice, to answer your question: cats can't get a claw into it, since the weave is so tight. So they end up giving up on it as a scratching post (this is my experience with two different cats).

The only drawback is that lint clings to it. So I'm constantly wiping it with my hand. Vacuum takes care of that nicely, tho.

Cats CAN get sharp claws into microsuede! We have hundreds of tiny snags on our $4000.00 Crate and Barrell couch. I do admit that each snag is much smaller than they could do on regular upholstery fabric, and I'm sure that if you can keep the claws trimmed, the damage would be minimal. (My guys hiss and bite when the clippers come out.)

I'm so sorry I got a microfiber couch. My cats got their claws inot the seams and pulled the thread where it's joined...and worse yet, it's a hair magnet. Think suede or wool coat and cats rubbing against you-the microfiber captures the hair and won't let go unless you wipe it with a damp cloth. Worst thing I ever did. My old fabric couch cleaned up nicely for spills and hair didn't stick to the smooth surface.

Yes, admitedly, these are cats who get a monthly claw clipping.

i have a red microfiber couch that i love ... and the snot from a kitten with upper respiratory infection and constant sneezes came out after a quick scrub with water...

...and *ahem* number 2 paw prints from the aforementioned kitten came out after a quick scrub with spot shot.

someone recently told me kittens don't like the feel of microfiber on their paws. i don't know if that's true, but this kitten of mine, who isn't declawed, hasn't pawed at it once -- despite it being his favorite sleeping place.

(click my name for a quick pic of the kitten!)

I'm shopping for a sofa too. I like the easy maintenance of microfiber but I think it looks too synthetic.

i think i'm one of the few people that hate the way microfibre couches look!. and the light colored ones always seem so dingy at the stores.

Count me as another cat owner that loves my microsuede couch. I have one of those hair removing sponges from the pet store and it wipes the hair off easily. Vaccuuming is also very effective. I even spilt a glass of red wine on it and was able to blot it up with no stain left behind. It is a dark chocolate brown color which helps. I've also never noticed butt prints or anything like that left behind in the fabric but that may be due to the dark color

what would be the best upholstery, other than leather, to which cat hair would not cling to? any recommendations?

..and other than microsuade

Catproof-ness also varies greatly based on cats - I've heard horror stories about cats and leather, and my much-missed former cat used to love digging his claws into the back of a cruddy Ikea leather loveseat I used to have, bringing white fibers from the backing out every time.

However, after noticing that my current cats couldn't be less interested in a leather armchair I had (which had some damage from cat #1) I splurged on a leather sectional from Room and Board, and it's been great - hair sweeps right off with your bare hand, and they don't scratch it at all.

While there are many hideous leather couches out there, I have to say that I can highly recommend it for practicality. This sectional has been the easiest to care for and most durable couch that I've ever had. Of course, it cost more than twice as much as any other couch I've owned too!

I have a Mitchell Gold microfiber couch in a pale taupe and haven't had problems some others have mentioned. Specifically, I haven't had any problems with things sticking to it (lint, etc.) and haven't had any dye transfer from denim or other clothing.
Admittedly it isn't my favorite material nor is it the most fashionable. I would love to have mohair but it is crazy expensive and less comfortable. I love linen but it can look rumpled as the sofa ages and it is not so easy to clean. So, for my needs, microfiber has been the best choice and has allowed me to have a lighter color sofa. Things I have gotten out of the sofa - wet paint (I sat down on the couch while painting an accent wall and had a blob of paint on the back of my leg), marinara sauce, pen, dirt and coffee. I've had it 2.5 years and the fabric looks brand new.

AJ - that Magic Eraser rocks my socks! I can't believe how many things I have cleaned in my apartment with it!

Somebody up there - I don't think that microfiber has to look like the furniture they put in model homes, you can find microfiber furniture in nice modern lines and I think it looks great! I don't necessarily think that the picture they put as an example is the greatest but there are some much cooler options out there!

mags: i never though of using the magic eraser to clean anything aside from my shower! now i'm going to go home and clean!!!

and to counter diane's statement, i don't have any problem at all with hair and my microfiber couch. upon closer inspection of pictures with my sleeping kitten (whom i'm admittedly still in love with), there aren't hairs in sight.

My cat certainly got his claws into my microsuede couch too. But the hair doesn't stick too bad - then again I may just not see it because the couch is light colored and I have white cats.

I recently got black (soot I guess?) from a candle wick on it though, and can't seem to get it out. Any suggestions? I tried gentle dishsoap and water to no avail. And I'm reluctant to try the Magic Eraser - what IS it made of??

i hate the texture of microfiber suede. have you seen a sample of the fabric? i find it often looks cheap and feels flimsy.

i would go for a polyester fabric, or just treat the heck out of a cotton fabric with scotch-guard.

I'm with Olivia... tacky tacky! I would never it use it for a client or buy it for myself.

stephanie - your kitten is darling :) I have a dog who sheds and his hair doesn't stick to my microfiber couch either.
As for the wonders of the Magic Eraser, last week I got a gorgeous Italian leather oversized hobo bag for 70% off because it had a small pink pen stain on it. When I got the bag home I wet the Magic Eraser, squeezed the excess water out, buffed it against the stain on the purse for about 5 seconds and poof - completely gone!
I've also used the Eraser to buff my tea kettle and stainless sink to a shine, clean the edges around my sink, get scuff marks off of our front door, clean Sharpie out of hubby's brand new white button-up shirt, and buff a scratch out of my car!

I'm another cat owner whose cat totally ignores a leather armchair and a leather (aniline leather, yet!) sofa. When I was sofa shopping, salespeople said that I had two choices; microsuede or leather. I don't have children, so spills weren't going to be a big issue, and I chose leather.

My next-door neighbors have two small bouncy children and a pale teal microsuede sofa set, and after three years, their microsuede (a herringbone Warwick microsuede) is looking a bit grubby. I don't know if they've tried cleaning it, though. And as tired as their microsuede is looking, a non-microsuede set would probably be a total disaster by now.

Microfibers are polyester.

I think the thing to remember is that microfibre, like any other fabric, is available in many, many different qualities and weights. Just as some companies use better cotton canvas than others, some use better microfibre than others. The best things to look for are:

- does the showroom model look SUPER saggy, or just a little (of course it will look a little worn in, I'm sure there are more than the average number of people sitting on it every day than in a home situation)

- Does the fabric feel firm when you run your hand across it, or can you feel every little lump of stuffing? Does the fabric seem to "float" away from the filling?

- How tight are the seams sewn? You should not be able to see very clearly any of the threads holding together the seams. If so this means the fabric is too thin, and the stitches of the seam are too far apart. Not good workmanship

- Ask if it comes with a scotch-guard/protective treatment, this is a must!! I have spilt countless things on my microfibre sofa, and was able to get everything out just fine, since I have this coating. The toughest thing though was dye from dark jeans, but that is more of a "light coloured couch problem" than a microfibre problem.

Good luck!

Microfiber is essentially polyester. And who wants a polyester couch? Ewwwww. Tacky.

Thanks so much for the great replies, y'all! Didn't think to include it in the Q when I posted, but I DO have a cat so that info has been particularly helpful. Thanks a million! =)

Add me to the growing list of microfiber-haters. I agree that it looks tacky in general, but the easy clean-up does appeal to me. But when I bought a sofa, I needed down cushions and a light color, so I got a slipcovered one. We've gotten chocolate, red wine, and those dreaded jean stains on it, and every time we wash it (twice in the year since I've had it), it looks brand-new. One of these posts just made me realize I need to treat it, and make it even easier on myself. Is Scotch-Guard the best for this?

I use to sell furniture and got pretty familiar with the fabric. It's great for easy clean up. The only problem is it creates a lot of static,and you kind of "stick" to it. If you have pets or kids it is great!

I read somewhere that cats can't get their claws into velvet. I would love to cover my couch since my cats have destroyed the arms. Does anyone know if this is true?

"Sorry for the slightly snarky remark, I find microsuede tacky and cheap looking. It leaves marks when you sit on it - who wants butprints on their furniture? - and is always looks like the furniture they use in model homes."

I couldn't agree more! I'm shocked that high-end furniture lines carry microfibers. It's cheap and tacky, even the extremely expensive Ligne Roset micros.

It's interesting that some people think that polyester is tacky in and of itself. Isn't that akin to hating Lucite furniture because it's plastic? If something is beautiful AND functional, shouldn't we applaud it, even if it's synthetic?

To answer your question, Alison, cats prefer to scratch at fabric with "loops"-- think cotton or linen weave-- because they can get their claws into it. Velvet has had its loops cut open, so it has an open texture (think more like a lawn and less like velcro). However, if the fabric backing for velvet is thin and yuor cats really like to scratch, they may still pull holes in a velvet couch.

Add me to the list of microfiber lovers. I have a cat, and I didn't want leather because it just seemed like a lot of dead cow for the living room (I wear leather shoes, but a whole couch just seemed like too much). My lovely charcoal-gray microfiber couch is warm and fuzzy and still looks crisp and brand-new after a year. I get tons of complements on it, and my cat totally ignores it-- and he has destroyed multiple pieces of upholstered furniture, the little bastard.

I have a microfiber couch in a wine color, and I wish we'd chosen a different fabric when we reupholstered. Cat hair is impossible to vaccuum out, it really clings to the fabric. Also, it's nice and warm in the winter, but ridiculously hot in the summer.

None of our cats have ever scratched our furniture, so I can't comment on that. Once one tried to claw at a chair arm, but we put the scratching point next to it, and he got the point. If your cat scratches inappropriately, you might want a better scratching post. I know we're all into design, but better does not mean better looking. Carpet ones obviously send the wrong message to cats and most sisal ones actually hurt their paws. We finally broke down and bought a top cat one, which are woven sisal. Expensive but worth every penny.

Barbara - If your cats won't let you clip their nails, have a partner scruff them. It doesn't hurt and it works!

Hi Guys,

Do you think we could go easy with the slightly snarky remarks that are really pretty darned snarky and moving into the territory of rude (or is that just another word for snarky)? I'm not saying that we shouldn't be honest and have some fun. But when someone puts themselves out there and asks for honest advice, I think they should do so without the risk of humiliation. I can get that sort of advice from my mother -- without even asking!

O.K., maybe I'm a big old whimp with personal baggage, but maybe it's something to think about? Am I alone here?

Kim

Jessica I agree with you completely. I find it funny that there are so many microfiber haters on here too. The new Eames side chairs and armchairs are polypropylene and people will shell out $200+ for those, probably including some of the polyester haters above.
I think it's just impossible to make broad generalizations. Not all microfiber fabrics are created equal and some are better made than others. Not all microfiber couches are beautiful and not all microfiber couches are ugly. Not all natural fiber couches are beautiful and not all natural fiber couches are ugly. A good couch is a combination of craftsmanship, style, frame quality, fabric quality, etc.
I know everybody is entitled to their own opinion but I don't know why people have to get so nasty with their comments. Microfiber is an excellent choice for durability, pet owners, people with kids, people who "live" on their furniture (eat, lots of socializing, etc.) If you don't like it, don't buy it, but why do you have to be so critical of somebody who likes it?

Kim, it appears you posted at the same time I started writing my post. I hear what you're saying - don't we get enough criticisms from our Moms that we don't need it from here :)
Threads like this make me not ever want to send in a question. Yes, there are a lot of people on here with good advice and feedback. However, the snarky comments thrown in suck the fun right out of it.

my boyfriend rubbed different swatches over the cat to *ostensibly* check and see what swatch attracted cat hair.

The microfiber is great- love it. Crate & Barrel and Room & Board both offer the one I got, the Douglas fabric. They will send you swatches- do your own comparison.

In response to the question above, cats can sink into velvet. I have some tattered velvet slipcovers to prove it.

Currently, I have a microfiber (light cocoa) chair and ottoman from Crate and Barrel - I'm very pleased - it's both visually crisp and surprisingly comfortable. Experienced no problems in keeping the fabric clean and fresh. Used to have a microfiber couch and liked that too - felt like a kitten's nose - in a good way :-) Probably same reason my cat liked it too.

I agree that you see swirl marks and butt prints in microfiber. It took me a while to get used to it. I used to see dark "marks" from across the room and panic thinking that something had stained the chaise. I end up with cat snot on mine too (thought I was the only one), and it cleans right off with water. I wouldn't do microfiber again though. I would go with a heavy woven fabric. The microfiber is starting to look "cheap" to me. And I don't mean that in a snobby way.

ss- haha, that's kinda how I decided which fabric to choose for my couch! I left several swatches on the floor and waited a few days to see which attracted more hair, etc.

This from someone named Tiffany...

Personally, I'd buy a sofa at half or a third of the price and plan on replacing it after a few years. Trying to buy upholstered furniture with the hope that it will last forever is unrealistic and unnecessary, IMHO.

I really love it. It's so easy to take care of, it never seems to wear down, it's the only 'fake' fabric I actually like. If you're buying a microfiber piece of furniture, I'd ask for multiple fabric samples beforehand, and take them home and beat the heck out of them. Pour wine on them and see how easy it is to clean, pour grape juice on, smear ketchup (OK, Buffalo Hot Wings sauce), because if it's decent quality everything tends to bead right off in my experience. If you need to clean it, with any kind of soap, use the bubbles/foam only (from lathering the soap).

Also I swear by microfiber with cats, but there are several quality levels, and only the highest-thickest-quality is what the cats can't get their claws through. Only the expensive shops seem to be using that quality of fabric (it runs $55/yard even at a steep discount and I've seen several local shops in SF selling it for $125+/yard retail). I've literally been trying to save my furniture from the claws of my late mother's cats, they ruined everything, so I either recover it or custom-fit slipcover it (tight slipcovers so they actually look like upholstery) using only microfiber. I buy bolts of microfiber off eBay, but only from Sellers who offer samples before sale, because what you don't want is anything that stretches (it shows wear pretty easily) or has a knit backing (which is really suitable for just drapery and light-use slipcovers). I've been able to get most of mine for $5 yard by being a persistent shopper and by buying large quantities (full bolts). And, as I get another piece of furniture done, the cats are trying like mad to destroy it with NO luck and I so love thwarting their attempts (insert maniacal laughter here...)

All y'all need to get rid of your damn cats and put clear plastic slipcover on y'all's sofa!

A microfiber suede in a very short nap is best. It wears like iron. But if it's slightly longer and a little more velvety, it'll leave a butt print on the seat cushion every time you get up. Look for the butt print before you buy. My taupe microfiber sofa is short enough pile that it has no butt print and I love the fabric.
I think think your sofa is ugly, it's adaptable, classic, and not trendy so it'll last years and you can change your throw pillows for updating or redesigning in a couple years.
But even that is better than the extremely poor wearing chenille.

sorry about a typo. I meant to say I DON'T think your sofa is ugly.

Instead of getting rid of their cats, people could instead just cut the cats feet off.

Hi, I just bought a microfiber sofa in charcoal gray. It's not only stain and water-resistant but the color hides a multitude of merlot spillage accidents!

http://chicago.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/good-questions/good-questions-hows-gray-as-a-neutral-017018

The question was what people thought about microfiber--and the most negative thing people have said about microfiber is that it's tacky. Not the most biting criticism--if I was sending in a question to AT asking the opinion of everyone on a piece of furniture/houseware, I would definitely want to know if people thought it was tacky. It influences your decision.

The comparison of lucite and polyurethane doesn't work; beautiful and functional things are great, but some of us don't find microfiber beautiful.

You think this is snarky? Did you not SEE the Color Contest comments? Yeesh.

I have to agree with Samantha. The previous rental place I was in had a really posh Italian microfibre suede lounge set with ottoman in a silver grey. Because of the darker colour, it was able to conceal most light dirt patches. And altho I wasn't the first tenant to have used it, it stood pretty well against use and minor crumb/food spills. The trick is to scotchguard it beforehand with a protective spray to repel dirt and moisture.

Having said that, the areas with most use created slight pillage - can't be seen by the naked eye but can be felt running your palm across the surface. Obviously, a lighter colour will show this "wear" more clearly than a mid-tone colour which I had. I believe this is inevitable, but if your place is non-carpeted and you want to add some insulating warmth in the room, this fabric is v good for that (I had mine against a short-pile carpet).

Now that I have moved, I've managed to get a leather couch in chocolate against wooden floorboards. It has managed to stay v cool so far in the Australian summer, and I await the coming cooler months to see how it checks out!

I personally like the "microfiber sofa", although it is a little bit expensive, i think it is worthing paying the money. what's the price you see online?

You can check this site for microfiber sofa
http://www.gowfb.com/Living-Room-Furniture-c-59.php?cPath=59

OK, I actually have the exact sofa in that photo. Same color, same everything ... except mine has turned wooden feet. I bought it about 3.5 years ago because it was very affordable and I had wedding gift certificates for the place that was selling it. Here are the pros and cons.

Pros:

Yes, it really does clean like a dream. You can wash pretty much everything off of it with nothing more than a wet sponge.

Car fur is easy to wipe off with a damp sponge or vacuum off.

Butt prints aren't that big a deal but I'm not a freak about it. It's actually when I vacuum it and get those light/dark vacuum lines that I wish I had nice normal fabric that didn't have different shades for different directions. If you aren't anal, this probably won't bother you too much. If you are? You're going to detest the microfiber.

It's rather comfortable.

Cons:

My cats have torn into the arms like crazy. That has resulted in pulled threads and an overall shabbiness that I hate. That said, it isn't nearly as bad as some of the other fabrics my cats have damaged. There is no shredding, no backing pulling through. Just tons of short, little pulled threads on the arms.

Until last summer, I was a smoker and microfiber and fire do not mix. A fallen ash didn't just burn a little hole, it shockingly quickly melted down and burned a large one... complete with hardened, plastic-like edges. If you don't smoke, worry not.

It's too big and while it suited the living room I had then (in a historic New Orleans shotgun house that could handle large traditional pieces), it looks really stupid in my smaller, more contemporary apartment living room now. The rolled arms are just wasting space and the style is completely inappropriate.

Would I buy the sofa again? No. Would I buy microfiber again? Hmm... hard to say. My friend has a beautiful sofa from, I believe, B&B Italia that is covered in a white microfiber. It's stunning and I covet it. But, she also spent many thousands of dollars on hers and I spent under $1k, which likely explains it. Also, she has no cats... It's a tough call. After all this jibba jabba, I think I'm not much help after all.

Why would someone pay $4000.00 for a couch from crate & Barel?!? That's way more expensive than a lot of high end name designer couches.

I would never again buy a micro fiber couch. I have had to reupolster my Classic Sofa couch twice. Yes, the cats had something to do with the second time. But the first time I didn't have cats. Why did I use micro fiber the second time? Because the company didn't charge me for the fabric (if I used the same) and only charged me for labor. THey also convinced me that the first time the material disintegrated was a fluke.

I have a new Andre sofa from Room & Board. It is in a brown 100% polyester fabric. Add me to the happy members of the tacky club :)

Had no idea AT had a cat lover forum. Anyway, my thoughts on microfiber:
Pros: Easy to wipe up liquid spills - I have walked away to get paper towels and wine just sits on top of the fabric without penetrating it.
Cons:
1) Light colors look dirty right away
2) "Swirl" marks are quite annoying and make the furniture look stained even if it isn't
3) There is resistance between the microfiber and the fabric of your clothes -- you rather stick to it and can't adjust your position easily
4) STATIC! Lint and little threads, errant feathers from down pillows, you name it and it will stick to your sofa. I can't prove it, but I think stuff flies in from other rooms. For me, this negates the benefit of the "easy clean up" aspect of microfiber -- I spill something maybe twice a year, but have to deal with the lint everyday.

We've had a Room and Board microfiber sofa (the York, I believe) for six months and agree that it cleans up very easily. I have not noticed butt prints, but now I'll probably be obsessed with looking for them. I personally do not find the fabric to be tacky. Our sofa is in the living room. You know, that place where we, um, live. So comfort was our primary consideration (and cat friendliness). No one has mentioned how soft and comfortable the fabric is.

As far as cats go, I think it really depends on the cat. One of our cats has destroyed a leather chair so we knew that was out. Neither has scratched the cushions of our microfiber couch, but we have found a few marks on the arms. Our cats don't like each other so we think it's a territorial thing. I have also read that cats are less likely to dig into velvet, but have never tried it.

April, if you like the look of the couch - go for it. Consensus seems to be that microfiber does indeed clean up easier and, though it may not be entirely scratch-proof, it is one of the best bets for cat owners.

Good luck!

sharonn mentioned something important that I want emphasize. The pilling. My expensive Palazzetti sofa with the alcantara upholstery (microsuede) started to pill visibly after about 5 years. Now it is just over 10 years old and the pilling can't be shaved or fixed in any way. But I spent so much on it that I'm not even considering reupholstering. I thought I was buying a sofa to last a very, very long time and it still has to do that. The structure has held up quite well.

My dear, older cats left it alone. My younger and unclippable cat does get his claws into it.

If you're going to spend a lot of money on a sofa, I would not get microfiber. I think it feels plasticky and weird. And it melts! Better options, I think:

(1) tightly woven wool blend fabric with at least two colors in the weave-- fur won't stick, and two colors in the weave will reduce appearance of dust. A solid microfiber will show everything.

(2) Chenille. It feels good and the way the light hits it creates a tonal effect-- also hides dust.

As for your cats, teach them not to scratch the furniture. Give them scratching posts laced with catnip. Treat the couch with one of those organic sprays that catws dislike. If you expect massive cat damage, get something with slipcovers you can replace often.

When I was covering a headboard, I got samples of many fabrics and used a finishing nail to dig into them and pull down to replicate what my cat my do to it. The Microfiber and the heavy tapestry-type material were the only ones that didn't leave a noticible gouge.

Also, those plastic kitty claw-covers work wonders for my friend. You can even get them in colors and give kitty a little manicure. =)

I love Gretchen's suggestion to "teach" cats not to scratch the furniture. I haven't laughed quite that hard in a while. ;)

I'm on the side of not loving this material. i was unable to sell my Stickley furniture so i recovered the settee with a high-end laté/coffee-colored microfiber suede material. count me among the "anal" types, I suppose. What drives me crazy is the swirl look from smoothing; the way my hair and my two (black) cats hair sticks to it. I can't get it off even with vacuuming or those sticky roller things. One of the cats, a Maine Coon cat mix loves to drool when he's content and I have a spot that I cannot get out. So I have a permanent whitish stain. I tried soap and water, which is what was recommended, but it didn't work. Also the material is now wrinkled in the middle. Perhaps a function of the reupholstering.Although pretty, I just cannot stand that it seems unclean.

I should add that I re-did my Stickley Morris chair in natural linen and it's simply gorgeous. I love it and would recommend linen over microsuede if an option.

I have a microfiber set in the same color as the picture...I think it is ok if you aren't going to pay that much for it. The two cushions that we sit on the most have turned really dingy. After some online research I decided to wash the cushion covers in the machine on cold and gentle cycle. They did not come clean... they are the same color as they were before. Luckily the fabric held up just fine in the wash but I would recommend buying a darker color. As for cat hair. I have two cats and find that unlike upholstery the hairs do not stick into the microfiber. I can easily remove the hair with a lint brush or vacuum. Good Luck.

Microfiber:

I have a settee that is really a futon upholstered in khaki.

1) Clean-up is very good. I have had cranberry juice and blood on it, and it cleans up well.

2) Cats. My own don't like to claw at the microfiber, so I suppose I'm lucky. My cats have enjoyed the silk chairs, the chenille footstool, and a myriad of other fabrics. Now I shop so that any fabric is tightly woven.

3) Tackiness: Well, the settee isn't as fancy as the silk-covered chairs, but I personally don't find it tacky. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

On the same vein, I bought a microfiber duvet but the fabric wasn't as thick and plush as that of the settee. Perhaps that has something to do with the perception of quality.

On the whole, I would recommend the microfiber. Still, based on previous comments, if you have cats, you might try to buy a couple of yards of the fabric to see how the cats will react to it. As to the "tackiness": for god's sake, please yourself.

3) Am considering recovering my silk chairs in Sunbrella. Does anyone have any experience with it? (I know, I know, it must be polyester as well...)

My two cats love to tear up furniture and rugs. If I try to clip their claws, they act like I'm killing them (as they shred my hands). Our solution: the vet's assistant comes over once a month after work and clips eight paws in a couple minutes. He's a pro, it's fast and painless, and no one gets hurt. It costs about as much as my manicures did before I transferred the manicure budget to the kitties. It's worth it. And now he does my neighbors' cats, too.
I also have multiple coir doormats the cats like to scratch, and invisible sticky-on-both-sides tape from the petstore on sofa and chair arms (this really works), but the claw clipping is the most effective thing.
Sorry this isn't all about microfiber.

Terry, I've used sunbrella in covered and uncovered exterior settings only so my experience is limited. I bought a gorgeous retro print for 2 lounges and they faded dramatically. I have to recover again. Otherwise very durable.

Read the thread from top to bottom. Currently have denim sectional that we live, eat, sleep etc. Can wash covers and it comes out clean and fresh looking. However, moved from sunny So. Cal to rainy Houston. The 2-3 times a year of washing cushion covers has gone up tremendously due to the MUD-bearing capacity of one small dirty dog who loves romping in the yard rain or shine. Admitedly I could lock him away when it's raining, but it rains for days and I like him. It's a lot of work to wash and takes time (11 cushions!)

I looked at microfiber sectional. Like the color options, but the sectional is huge and I am not sure. I kind of like a little more texture in my fabric. We primarly deal with mud, but can also acquire food and liquid stains! We look comfort and style. Suggestions???

Microfiber = STATIC-Y!! Wears well, although my cats have done some serious scratching to my lovely old gold armless! Nice color selections, tho, and I agree that it is easy to clean..Question...are there different qualities to microfiber??

Season is right to point out that nail caps like Soft Paws are a great way to minimize clawing damage, and are kind of cute (in a goofy way). When I had a kitty, they saved my furniture. They didn't bother him, even though he was incredibly touchy about his feet.

I just had a new microfiber sofa delivered over the weekend (from Macy's) and I've noticed the static as well. Has anyone found a way to reduce the static caused by microfiber sofas? Many thanks!

Any suggestions how to get lipgloss off microsuede???

Has anyone else had a problem with your microfiber couch staining your clothing? I have a red sofa and love seat and any time I sit on it wearing light colors I end up with pink on my clothes. This isn't just fibers, the dye actually rubs off onto my stuff.

Has anyone else had this problem? How can I fix it or did I just buy a crappy cheap couch?

Thankyou for someone coming up w/ a forum like this..I was frantic as I had just purchased my first couch in 15 yrs and it's the new micro-fiber but feels like soft suade. ONE of my cats decided to initiate it with a hairball the first week, we caught it before it went thru my cover 'towel' --yep i'm a neat freak... I was worse before I got the cats...they taught me to be a little more relaxed lol. Anyhow I found several solutions and thanks to the one above who mentioned "Mr.Clean eraser" --i had one hidden for emergencys. Well as i said I lucked out the first week, second week comes along and well another BLOT at first couldn't recognized. I was about to hang my son [whose almost 20] who had already been caught eating while sitting on the couch. [He'd been warned, and he can see the tv. from the kitchen table.] anyhow apparently I realized the color of the stain was similiar to the previous and concluded it had to been something a cat threw up. Unfortunate because it sat a couple hours before I got up it seeped thru the mattress pad/sheet cover. OH forgot, it's a click clacki sofa bed couch... thought that would protect it, unfortunate it didn't and I was so upset. I had purchased what I thought was some kind of scotchguard spraying/guarantee, but thru the forums i'm wondering if it's only some type of "insurance". I called the showroom where I bought it and they said they would have someone come out and check it. Their guarantee co. had changed recently... basically got the run around. I tried first wiping off but left what looked like an oily stain. I was nervous but felt what have I got to lose, tried the Mr.Clean sponge [even thou it' tends to fall apart] and vacuumed the loose peices after. Now looking at a big square thinking "what have I done?" I went to get one of those dry clothes that soaks up liquid and wala, kept wiping it down, multi-directional and to my surprize it looked like new again.

Now for other' suggestions, Bounce is wonderful for many things, including wiping over furniture to keep static down. We use them over the cat's as well. One long hair cat loves the vacuum brush [with vac. on] go figure... i'm not complaining. I personally think a few of them are slight def. Anyhow We also bought a new table and chairs [Chair's w/ micro fiber to match the couch] and the table had ton's of styrofoam packing peanuts...oh what fun. Bounce again to the rescue. Wipe, Vacuum; We keep several sticky lint rollers around, I was shocked when my mom showed me her cat' loved it going back and forth. I'd tried the one way "with the fur" but they actually like a good massage. Some of the roller may need to go over something / couch or such first so it's not as sticky, depending on the cat's preference for "stickiness".

we are very protective of the cat clawing. keep several claw tree's, etc -depending on how many you have, we have 7 cats inside and a small wild colony outside that was here when we moved in. It wasn't by choice, someone abandone'd a "rare" mommy. As long as you have seperate rooms; room to roam. I don't believe in {in/out} cat it's either / or..not both. In our case because the wild bunch outside may have disease. Anyhow I got a great deal for my sofa bed in micro fiber under 500 at mcmahans. It has a storage area under and fold down to make into a bed... very comfortable.

Thinking of putting a survellance camera facing the couch to find the culprit :) think that is going to far? lol...

Oh How long do those nail caps stay on the cat' we have one [of the babies] whose my baby pursian, but she's a lil diva [el] and average cost for clipping, I'm with the one above who it's like that cat with a million knives when we try to come close to touching. We'd have to sedate her. Or us... lol

It's been confirmed. Today when McMahan's exchanged one of my chairs to my new dinette set [w/micro-fiber] I told them that I cleaned the spot on my couch, and asked point blank....are these sprayed with anything or is this simply insurance were buying? The manager bob said it's insurance. There is no spraying, the fabic has been tested, made for long wear and stain resistance. So for those of you who don't pay the extra I salute you for saving money, cause for the rest of us....although 10 years is a long time to be covered 'IF A STAIN DOESNT' COME OUT' we will be put thru the ringer as we have to first prove that we went to all lengths to get it out first.... I guess we'll just have to wait and see.... would I buy the insurance if i'd known the facts, possible, possible not... it's hard call when it's a light camel color...

I just got my new camel microfiber sofa Monday because this is what my husband wanted. I am scared about getting stains because I have 2 kids. When I got home from work last night we seen that my son spilt a bottle of water on the sofa and there was a water line on the seat and upper cushion. I wiped with a damp white cloth and got the mark off the upper cushion but on the seat cushion there is still a water mark. It is dry. I was going to maybe try an upholstery cleaner but thinks it might be harsh on the fabric. Any suggestion on what I should do would be appreciated.

i have a light tan micrifiber livingroom set. i love it for the most part. the biggest drawback is that i'm a smoker (bad habit to begin with!!) but i have dropped a cig on it and picked it right up and it burns immediately. even just a falling ash leaves a tiny mark... i did buy some fabric glue and a fray stopper and used the material from one of the throw pillows and made a patch for the bigger hole and u can hardly tell. u have to know its there and u have to look for it to see it.

as far as stains. i have 2 cats and a 3 month old baby that spits up ALOT. ONE time the cat peed on it (right after the baby was born. jealousy?) and the baby has spit up on it dozens of times. i don't clean the spit up daily (well i do wipe it up. i just don't scrub it up daily cuz my couch would be wet 1/2 the day). once or twice every 2 weeks i take some OXICLEAN (God Bless Billy Mays) and water (i have a mixture already pre-made under the kitchen sink) and I take a sponge (the kind with one soft side and one rough side) and I pour a good amount of the OXICLEAN and water on it and run the rough side of the sponge up and down a few times and then i put them on my porch to dry. Like new. No smell... Nothing...

As far as pets go--i have 2 cats (had 3 but one was peeing everywhere--he had to go) They like to use the couch as a scratching post. i just realized the other day that as much as they scratch U CANNOT tell. the material is in perfect shape... the cats also love to lay on the top of the loveseat (like behind your head on top) and i can just take a damp cloth and the hairs wipes right off...

love it...

I'm another cat owner who thinks it's great that her cat doesn't even attempt to claw up her microfiber couch. I've had my new sofa for 2 weeks and my cat is still clawing at her old Ikea Poang chair. She's very fond of destroying furniture so I'm shocked. She's choosing to sleep on the microfiber sofa instead!

I have to agree with the few others on this post who find microfiber cheap and tacky looking. I've always had a distaste for it.

Regardless, I recently got a great deal on a black microfiber chair and a half with ottoman and it is not too bad. However, we are a childless, pet-less household, and given the amount of crap that sticks to the chair with two very clean adults, I can't imagine how dirty this material would get with pets or kids in the house.

Definitely not a recommended fabric, in my opinion. Go with leather or upholstery.