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View Full Version : Creating a simple cat bed


Geila
5-31-16, 6:19pm
We have 2 dogs and 2 cats and until recently the cats have always used the dog beds to sleep in. But recently they've started to create their own beds in the chair cushions around the house which then get covered in fur and are hard to vacuum because they have those indents in them and they don't have washable covers. So I want to make them their own cushions to place around the house for them to use but not sure what the best covering would be for ease of cleaning. I want to be able to take off the covers and throw them in the wash on a regular basis - the main thing I'm worried about is getting the cat hair out during the wash, if possible.

For you cat owners, what fabrics would you recommend for making covers that would wash easily?

I already have the cushions and just need to make simple covers; these are the fabrics in my stash right now:

old towels
old t-shirts
sheets - cotton, polyester, and some blends
blankets and quilts
hand knit throws - the ones with the large open designs
assorted fabrics including some denim and cottons, as well as outdoor fabrics
iris lilies
5-31-16, 6:33pm
As far as fabric type, I would think that a tightly woven cotton would not attract cat hairs. The hairs might lay on top of the fabric and nt het stuck in the open parts ofmte weave.

I have two cats and never think about making beds for them, that is their busness. But I do know that they love freshly laundered items. If you washed their bed coverings daily, they would like it and would be attracted t those beds. Otherwise, I wouldnt trust my cats to ever slee n a bed I made for them.
JaneV2.0
5-31-16, 6:36pm
I recommend cardboard boxes scattered around--with or without cushions. Cats can't resist them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J11uu8L8FTY
Chicken lady
5-31-16, 6:37pm
You know those fuzzy bathrobes? We threw my old one in a plastic bin and that loves it. Freshly laundered tools are always a big hit too.
Geila
5-31-16, 6:47pm
I recommend cardboard boxes scattered around--with or without cushions. Cats can't resist them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J11uu8L8FTY

What a cute video! My cats have never been drawn to cardboard boxes. Sometimes they like laundry baskets - like when they are half full of clean laundry. :)

What they like the most is a dog couch (which is easy to vacuum) and several chairs that have cushions on them, and each cat has their special one. That's where I'll put the new cushions with washable covers. I'll also put a few in the garage in baskets because they like sleeping there too. The garage has a doggie door and a skylight and the baskets are on shelves on the walls. They love hanging out in there and going in and out of the doggie door whenever they feel like it.
Geila
5-31-16, 6:48pm
You know those fuzzy bathrobes? We threw my old one in a plastic bin and that loves it. Freshly laundered tools are always a big hit too.

Does the cat hair come off when you wash it?
Geila
5-31-16, 6:50pm
As far as fabric type, I would think that a tightly woven cotton would not attract cat hairs. The hairs might lay on top of the fabric and nt het stuck in the open parts ofmte weave.

I have two cats and never think about making beds for them, that is their busness. But I do know that they love freshly laundered items. If you washed their bed coverings daily, they would like it and would be attracted t those beds. Otherwise, I wouldnt trust my cats to ever slee n a bed I made for them.

The outdoor fabric would be similar to what you describe, I think. And they have several outdoor cushions in the garage that they already enjoy sleeping on that have this fabric - it's kinda stiff and I imagine might clean well.
JaneV2.0
5-31-16, 6:51pm
What a cute video! My cats have never been drawn to cardboard boxes. Sometimes they like laundry baskets - like when they are half full of clean laundry. :)

What they like the most is a dog couch (which is easy to vacuum) and several chairs that have cushions on them, and each cat has their special one. That's where I'll put the new cushions with washable covers. I'll also put a few in the garage in baskets because they like sleeping there too. The garage has a doggie door and a skylight and the baskets are on shelves on the walls. They love hanging out in there and going in and out of the doggie door whenever they feel like it.


It sounds like you're all set. There was a thread awhile back about cleaning pet hair off various surfaces, and which tools worked best..
Chicken lady
5-31-16, 7:50pm
You, wash, dry, done.
Gardnr
5-31-16, 8:01pm
Honestly, cats want warm and fluffy. I went to Joann's and bought heavy weight fleece with a 50% off coupon. It sits on a family room chair and they love it.

I also went to Petco with a coupon. I bought them a small dog "bed". It sits at the patio door (south side) and when the sun is full in, they love to sleep there.
Geila
5-31-16, 8:38pm
Mine didn't like the new beds I bought them - they wanted the ones with stinky doggie smell! :) They're quite fond of the dogs.
I hesitate to use fleece because I don't know that the cat hair will come out in the wash.
sweetana3
6-1-16, 6:15am
Fleece washes great. The cheaper ones are fine. The Sherpa fleece starts to look "used" after a few washes.

You can never tell what one or a group of cats will like.