Children and pets can get into lots of trouble and cause damage in just a short amount of time. Preventing furniture damage is possible when you have small children and pets, but it does take a little bit more effort. Setting rules and boundaries and keeping them clean are great places to start. Below are some more tips to prevent furniture damage by children and pets.
1- Purchase A Protective Cover
If you don’t care about your original furniture being covered or having a different color over your furniture, adding a protective cover will protect the furniture pieces from spills, stains, accidents, or tears. Protective covers don’t have to be uncomfortable or unsightly, they can be made of soft fabric and simple prints to prevent furniture damage without taking away from the design of your home.
While a protective cover won’t protect your couch, chairs, or bed from all damage, it can be an extra layer that the substance has to go through before it gets to the material of your couch. It can also make cleaning pet hair, dirt, or crumbs off the piece much easier.
2- Keep Stain Remover Or Cleaner On Hand
While some damage is preventable, upholstery, carpet, rugs, or other furniture pieces can see stains. Having a cleaner and stain remover at the ready will help prevent the stain from setting or seeping in further. This keeps your furniture looking nice and keeps mold or bacteria from growing around the area.
For wood or polished surfaces, having a spray or polisher close by can help remove condensation rings, crayon marks, or other small scratches.
3- Invest In Furniture Specifically For Your Pet
When your pets are spending too much time on your couch or bed, it might be a smart idea to get them a piece of furniture that is just specifically for them. Dog beds, blankets, heating pads, small couches, and other furniture is all available for pets. Having their own space can decrease the amount of time they spend on your furniture and give you more room to relax.
4- Set Clear Boundaries
Teaching children and pets boundaries early on will help them as they grow. Having rules and boundaries about what furniture can and can not be used for will help to protect from furniture damage.
Setting boundaries for pets can look like closing doors or installing baby gates to signal that those areas are off limits. For children, not allowing drinks on the couch or not allowing shoes or jumping on furniture. These boundaries will help establish a habit and can be hard to maintain at first, but over time they will become second nature.
5- Try Pet-Friendly Repellent Sprays
If your pets tend to claw your wood furniture or bite and tear upholstery, try a natural ingredient spray that will keep your pets away from these furniture pieces. Some common ingredients include vinegar, citrus, and peppers. Make sure to do your research on what you can spray on your furniture and if it is safe for your pets and children. While we want to keep pets from causing furniture damage we want to avoid severe allergic reactions.
6- Secure Heavy Furniture To The Wall
Tipping and falling furniture can cause damage to the piece and to children in your home. Securing furniture prevents injury and even death to a child or pet. Securing the furniture will stop heavy things from breaking, damaging your floors, or crushing small children.
7- Choose Colors That Hide Dirt
Choosing furniture colors that hide dirt and dust can help keep your home looking pristine. These colors will help disguise dirt if you don’t have time to clean or in between cleaning sessions. Medium warm gray, warmer colors, or blue grays will help to hide most build-up until you can deep clean.
Choosing these colors doesn’t have to change the interior design choices of your home. Furniture that you use consistently can be a darker color to contrast the rest of your room and lighter furniture pieces can be kept in rooms that your children and pets don’t frequent.
Sturdy Pieces With Sugar House Furniture
Sugar House Furniture offers mission-style furniture that is built to last. Our pieces are hand-crafted with straight lines, and a timeless look. Our team is proud to serve the Utah community and have our furniture pieces in your home. Prevent furniture damage by investing in quality furniture pieces and learning about the proper cleaning methods.
Our storefront is a must-visit destination because we hold ourselves to a high standard of excellence. Visit our store and showroom in Salt Lake City, UT today!
