Do You Regret Your SOFA Choice? Need advice on Leather v Slipcovers v Upholstery

[Anonymous]

I have two kids under four. And maybe will have a third in a year.

I totally regret my microfiber sofa because it does show stains, contrary to the sales spiel. And it looks ugly. So...it's time to replace it!

Clearly, leather is most kid friendly, but it's so masculine.

Does anyone own and love their upholstery or slipcovers? Do they clean okay? (I am okay having it professionally cleaned every few months...but not that creepy chem dry stuff. Steam clean only. Plus, I don't plan on using scotchguard, so I figure I'll have to have it cleaned often.)

Do they fade or look sloppy after cleaning? In particular, I worry slipcovers will always look sloppy and wrinkled after you wash them yourself. It never looks the same after you buy it, right?

[Anonymous]

Can you get the sofa professionally cleaned? I did that and it looked like new, but mine is regular upholstery. I'm not familiar with microfiber.

Anyway, I'd try that before buying a new sofa. Then wait til the youngest is 8 or so and buy what you love then.

[Anonymous]

8:47 again. FWIW, I use Chem Dry and they are fantastic. They use carbonated water, very green, and don't get the sofa sopping wet.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Yes! Shiny leather. There are rips plus I slide all over it. I hate it.

[Anonymous]

I have a slipcover one from Mitchell Gold that I really like. The slipcovers were washed by me once and still look great. I wish I had gotten the down cushions instead of the foam, but other than that have been very happy. I have three kids under 5, by the way.

[Anonymous]

I did well with a velour from crate and barrel. However, we strictly enforced no jumping on the furniture.

[Anonymous]

I have loved my leather sofas. I have tried a microfiber sofa, thinking it would be easy to clean blah blah blah, but I hated it. Quickly stained, looked terrible, felt unpleasant, and wore badly. You can get nice leather that's matte and sturdy and in lighter colors, so it doesn't look masculine. It costs, though.

[Anonymous]

I love my crate and barrel slip cover couch. Kids are 1 and 3. Once a month I strip the whole thing and throw it in the wash. Looks like new. It is now 5 years old.

Fwiw, prior couch was microfiber and I also threw that in our machine and it was fine (cold delicate). But, it might depend on the material.

[Anonymous]

We bought a bone colored leather sofa. I agree that the dark ones look can look really masculine. It wipes up nicely and wears so much better than our previous microfiber. No regrets.

[Anonymous]

LOVE our leather! Soooo clean!

[Anonymous]

Yes pottery barn pb basic. Over priced

[Anonymous]

I had a leather sectioal and hated it. I moved it into the basement. In our family room we have a very light upholstered sofa. It looks great. However no food or drink is allowed to be consumed outside of the kitchen table and of course no markers oitside of the craft table. No jumping on furniture.

I have no problem getting my boys to follow these rules. It's their friends i have to get after.

[Anonymous]

I love our microfiber sofa. Spray foaming rug cleaner on the stain and rub it out with wet sponge. Easy peasy.

[Anonymous]

I have several different microfibers because we have a couple living areas and they are furnished with different quality stuff. It really greatly depends on which microfiber you get! I love the high end Lazboy one, hate the JCPenney and Ethan Allen ones.