Two things determine how well a sofa bed holds up to a household with pets or kids, and neither is color: how abrasion-resistant the fabric is, and whether anything on the piece can actually be removed and washed when something inevitably happens. Here’s how to shop for both.
Abrasion resistance: check the Martindale number
The Martindale rating measures how many rub cycles a fabric survives before showing wear — the closest thing to an objective durability number a fabric has. Claws, jumping, and general daily wear-and-tear from kids all show up here faster than on a piece used gently by adults alone.
Within this range, Esina and Adario lead the field. Esina, a chenille, rates 100,000 Martindale with strong pilling resistance; Adario follows at 92,000. Both are considerably ahead of fabrics like Halifax, which rates 31,000 — a fabric that’s perfectly fine for gentle, guest-room use but the wrong choice for daily wear from an active household.
Pilling resistance matters alongside abrasion, particularly for pet hair and general friction. Both Esina and Adario also rate well on that measure — see the full comparison table for every fabric side by side.
Washability: know which cover you’re actually getting
This is where the range narrows fast. Across every collection, detachable, machine-washable fabric upholstery is available for Newilla and the Newilla Lounger only. If a fully washable exterior is a hard requirement — and for households with young kids or pets, it often should be — Newilla is functionally the only collection in the catalog built for that.
Everywhere else in the range, the fabric upholstery isn’t sold as a separate removable piece, so spills and accidents get cleaned in place rather than in a washing machine. That’s manageable with a durable fabric and prompt cleaning, but it’s a meaningfully different maintenance experience than being able to strip a cover and wash it.
One separate detail worth knowing: Carnell’s mattress cover is independently removable and washable, even though its outer upholstery isn’t. If the concern is specifically the sleeping surface rather than the visible fabric, that’s relevant — though it doesn’t solve spills on the seat cushions themselves.
Putting the two together
If washability is non-negotiable — very young kids, a shedding pet, a household that expects real accidents — Newilla is the clear answer, and its standard fabric, Adario, already rates well on abrasion too. That combination covers both problems in one collection.
If you’re set on a different collection, prioritize fabric durability as the primary defense instead. Esina or Adario in whatever collection you’re choosing gives you the best abrasion resistance available, and prompt blotting rather than rubbing on any spill limits how much damage actually sets in — see our cleaning guide by fabric type for technique.
Either way, skip the lowest-rated fabrics for a household with regular pet or kid wear. Halifax and similarly-rated options are genuinely fine furniture — just not the right choice for the heaviest daily use in the range.
What else to consider for a family household
Storage that keeps bedding accessible but out of reach of small hands or paws — Osvald, Cone, and Walis build storage into the seat itself, which tends to be less accessible to a curious toddler or pet than an open basket nearby.
A mechanism that’s simple enough for anyone in the household to operate, if the piece converts regularly — see our buying guide for which mechanisms need the fewest steps.
A comfort system rated for everyday use, if the piece will see nightly sleeping rather than occasional guests — Pocket Spring Dual and Double Spring are both built for that, covered in our comfort systems guide.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the most durable fabric for a household with pets? Esina, a chenille rated at 100,000 Martindale with strong pilling resistance, leads the range. Adario follows closely at 92,000 and is also the standard fabric on Newilla, the only collection with fully washable upholstery.
Which sofa bed has washable covers for kids and pets? Newilla and the Newilla Lounger are the only collections in the range with detachable, machine-washable fabric upholstery.
Is a high Martindale rating enough, or do I also need washable covers? Depends on how much risk you’re managing. High abrasion resistance handles daily wear well; washable covers handle the accidents that abrasion resistance can’t prevent. For the highest-risk households, both together — which points to Newilla — is the strongest combination.
Can I clean fabric that isn’t removable if my pet has an accident? Yes, in most cases, with prompt blotting and the right technique for the fabric type — see our cleaning guide. It’s more effort than machine washing a removed cover, but manageable for occasional accidents.
For the heaviest household use, fabric durability and washable covers both matter — and only one collection in the range currently offers both at once. See the full fabric comparison for every option, or get in touch about what fits your household.