Regarding trying to have a house "nice" and some cuddle time.....what covers, blankets etc do you have on couch, that you wash every few days?

What works for you -- looks reasonable -- and doesn't wreck the washing machine....

What I use has evolved over the years. I started out just covering the seat portion with an extra large beach towel. Very cheap, washable, etc. Only covered the seat portion, though, and I had a hard time finding plain old neutral solid colors. Didn't want any actual "beach" type designs on them! So then I started using some heavy cotton afghans, but those usually come in a standard size of 50" x 60" and again really only covered the seat portion.

What I now use and what has worked the best for me is a cotton bedspread. Here's the exact ones I have on my couch and two living room chairs:

http://linensource.blair.com/e/bedding-collections/bedspreads/portofino-matelasse-bedspread-coverlet-collection/pc/512/sc/2682/671.uts

For the couch, I got a twin-size bedspread, which I drape over it so the long way goes from the front to over the back and the short way goes the length of the couch. Then I tuck it deeply into the slot between the seat and the back cushions and again tuck it at the sides. It does not go over the arm cushions, but I'm okay with that. I'm sure a bigger size would. For each chair, I ended up getting the queen coverlet, which measures 94" x 98", so almost square, and covers a La-Z-Boy type recliner quite nicely. Again, plenty of room to tuck it securely at the back and sides of the seat and still have plenty to drape over the back and arms.

My couch and one chair are leather, so yes there is a bit of slippage if the dogs are up and down frequently (or even a person for that matter), but I've found it's not that much trouble to straighten and retuck them a couple times a day if necessary.

I confess I don't wash mine every few days! I shake them out every time I clean house and wash them probably no more than once a month. That's works for me because my dogs actually spend more time on my bed or in their own beds in my office than they do on the living room furniture. But when it is time to wash them, I put them in my front-loading washer and dryer and they hold up beautifully.

I got these through an online company mainly because I found it's next to impossible to find plain old bedspreads in the stores anymore. Everything (around me, anyway) is quilts or comforters. I had the same issue for my bed. My dogs are allowed on it, so I wanted something sturdy and washable, and I ended up with a cotton rib-cord bedspread that was actually much cheaper than the ones I have in my living room.

The Drs. Foster and Smith website has furniture covers specifically designed for the purpose, but when I was looking years ago, I didn't care for any of the colors or prints they had. Looks like they may have a nicer selection now:

http://pet-supplies.drsfostersmith.com/search?af=type%3Aproduct&view=grid&w=furniture%20cover&visitorID=&cartcount=0&wishcount=0&division=

I have two large faux fur throws that I got from Amazon dirt cheap, and they get slung in the washing machine every month, and whether they get dried over the bannister, or out on the washing line, they dry in no time.

During the day, they are folded in four and used for the Boerboels beds in the kitchen, while the Pointers have the sofas, they don't shed like the other two, so its not a problem.

I have tried numerous variations of covers over the years, but these are what I find to be the easiest to launder, they don't seem to harbour the hairs like some of the cotton mixes I have used before.

A couch cover from I don't remember where. It never stays put and drives me crazy.

I have to find something that stays put on the couch without shifting around.

I guess I'm still pretty old school. No dogs on the couch (or bed or recliner or or or...)

What's on my couch?---Dog hair!

 Quote: Tracy Collins

What's on my couch?---Dog hair!

Lol! Yup

When I had small terriers they were allowed only on my recliner and that was usually when I was in there also.

If we left the house it was not uncommon to find one warm spot on the couch when we came in the door but we never caught the culprit who warmed it up.

I never got that "guilty" look simply because I never believed in correcting the dogs for something that I didn't witness.

I wouldn't do that even it if would have been just one dog.

I used to put down my dogs camping pad.
He always ended up flinging it off the couch. So now he just sleeps wherever he pleases.

 Quote: Duane Hull

I guess I'm still pretty old school. No dogs on the couch (or bed or recliner or or or...)

I'm semi-"old school"...

Big dogs (Shepherds and a Leo), do not get access to my furniture or beds. Not my style.

Poms can come up on the furniture when "I" feel like bringing them up, they don't go on the furniture uninvited.

We have leather furniture which wipes easily and doesn't hold hair and I use microfiber throws, they seem to come really clean and hair free in the wash.

I have about 10,000 dog beds in my house, if they don't like those, then go with the floor LOL

I rotate out beds until they are all in need of a clean, then bring them to the Laundromat to go in the industrial washing machines. Then I bring them home and lay them outside to dry. I try to choose the "pad" style beds, as they last the longest and come really clean.