Tell me about futon covers and dogs and cats:

[hedgehog]

I have two dogs and two cats who live on my couch. I'm getting a futon to replace it and need advice on the cover. I was thinking of a washable twill, but then I saw a leather look marine grade vinyl that can be sponged off. Since everyone in the house also eats on the couch, that might be a good idea. Two questions about the vinyl:

1. Will the dogs claws tear it? Maybe if someone has a boat with vinyl seats and you've given your LAbador a ride?

2. Is vinyl comfortable to sit on in the winter and summer? We don't have air conditioning.

[flvegan]

1. Vinyl in the summer = sweaty butts.

Try to find a fabric cover that's like denim. Our most recent furniture purchase is this nice loveseat with a washable cover and it's like a very, very soft denim. None of our dogs have been able to damage it yet.

[hedgehog]

2. That's what I thought!

The web site claims vinyl is cool in the summer!

[kedrys]

3. Our futon cover is dark blue

Washable fabric, but taking it off is a pain. We have cats ranging from pitch black to snow white, so there'z fuzz on it no matter what. And Evie (aka The Piddler) likes to, er, use it if the sandboxes aren't pristine.

No clue about the dog part of the event.

[VLC]

4. I'd go for the washable twill.

You can also make a passable cover by sewing two sheets together for everyday use. Easy to take off, cheap and keeps the "real" cover clean.

[Critters2]

5. Sounds like my house.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times...this is a 4 bedroom two-story house. Why are we ALL always within two feet of each other?!

I'd go with the vinyl.

[hedgehog]

6. I don't know - since I posted I remembered riding in cars with vinyl seats

in the summer. It's not a happy memory.

[grasswire]

7. I bought a really good futon and cover...

...and I also bought a good quality white mattress cover from Mervyn's to go between them. It is waterproof but not hot. I covered the futon mattress as soon as I got it home, zipped the white waterproof cover up, and then put the pretty blue nubby cover over all and zipped that up. With five cats in the house, I didn't want any accidents to stink up the mattress.