Crafty help-waterproof/covering a sofa

jimmi

Hi.
We've ordered a new fabric sofa. We've only had leather or fake leather sofas before which clean fairly easily.

We have cats & Young children.

(Any advice on stopping the cats from scratching it greatly appreciated please as I can imagine the material being tempting for them when it arrives!)

As our youngest can get carried away and wet himself still-plus to protect from spilt drinks etc, I want to cover the sofa.

I've ordered scotchgard protection spray.

We have lots of nice fleece blankets/throws. I was wondering wether I could sew some kind of waterproof backing onto the throws, which I could then use over the seats.
But
Do you think it would wash ok without easily tearing the throw/backing?
And
What type of material would you recommend I use as a backing please?

JuzaMum

The way to stop the cat clawing the furniture is to put furniture in one house and the cat in another! I have furniture ruined by my much loved cat and he shredded the stair carpet so much we had to remove it
You can get waterproof picnic blankets with a plastic backing so maybe you could find a nice one. The plastic does last a good while when put through a gentle wash.
Does the sofa have removable cushion covers? My friend put bed mats under the seat covers on her sofa so nothing soaked through to the cushions.

teddysmum

The original Scotchguard used to leave carpets feeling tacky, but the new kind is undetectable.


My son's caravan upholstery and carpets is treated with it and even days later, it was easy to remove stains from a takeaway, spilled by a guest.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Layers of cheap throws. Put the nice ones away until children are older. Enforce good hygiene and make sure they wash their hands after eating. No food on the sofa.

jimmi

hi, thankyou.
my main worry is urine and spilt drinks (my youngest has beakers which, whatever they say, are not leak-proof!).
haha yes, we're on our 3rd stair carpet in 7 years! they seem to have moved on to our divan bed now.

I've ordered scotchguard protection spray, thankyou.
I'd still like to use some kind of cover.
i'll keep an eye out for nice picnic blankets