Sofa Stains Top the List of Furniture Fails in the Latest Damage Survey by Allstate Protection Plans

SAN FRANCISCO – Thursday July 9, 2024

It may be time to invest in some plastic couch covers, people. According to the latest survey on furniture damage1 from Allstate Protection Plans, 174.8 million Americans have damaged a piece of furniture in the past, and 61% of accidents occurred in the first two years of ownership. When asked which furniture was most recently damaged or stained, 40% of Americans said sofas, couches and loveseats. 

The survey looked at which furniture was most likely to be damaged, how, and what consumers did to repair, replace, or hide the damage:

• Furniture Favorites: In the past year, the most common household furniture items Americans bought were area rugs (30%), sofas, couches, and loveseats (23%), beds, bed frames, and headboards (21%), bedroom nightstands and dressers (20%), and TV stands and entertainment centers (19%). Home office items accounted for 19%.

• Failure Frequencies: When asked which of these were damaged most recently, 40% of Americans said sofas, couches and loveseats. Then area rugs (12%), recliners/chairs (8%), beds/bed frames, and headboards (7%), kitchen tables or chairs (6%), TV stands/entertainment centers (4%), and dining room tables or chairs (4%). People spent $299 on average repairing or replacing their most recently damaged furniture. And 17% of accidents happened in the first six months after purchase.  

• Drips and Rips: Once again, spills and stains were the leading cause of damage, accounting for over half (55%). Rips and tears were second (25%), seam separation/ripping/splitting was third (8%), then dents/scratches (7%) and chips/cracks (7%) were tied for fourth. Juices accounted for 25% of the stains, while people and pet stains accounted for 21%. Other sources of stains were coffee (20%), sauces/condiments (15%) and red wine (12%).

• Four Legs Versus Two: Surprisingly, pets and children were less likely to be responsible for damage than adults. Forty-five percent of adults blamed their spouses for furniture damage and said children were responsible for only 34% (interesting, since juice was the No. 1 cause of stains). Dogs were twice as likely as cats to cause damage, accounting for 20% and 11% of issues, respectively. 

• Dealing with Damage: 43% of people tried to fix the damage themselves, while 38% kept using their furniture despite the damage. Twenty-three percent report hiding or covering up damage, with 14% replacing items and 4% opting for repairs.  

• Fear of Fancy Furniture: Over a third (36%) avoided buying high-priced furniture for fear it could be damaged. While 54% were aware that protection plans can cover sofas, only 31% understood they can cover beds, and just 12% knew they can cover area rugs. 

• Preventive Measures: 38% of Americans have covered furniture with towels or sheets to protect it, 29% have used slipcovers and plastic covers (there you go!), and 20% have used treatments to prevent stains. Just over a fifth (22%) of Americans currently have a protection plan or extended warranty for furniture

“Because we use furniture every day – and we’re only human (or pet) – damage and stains can happen,” said Jason Siciliano, vice president of marketing and creative director at Allstate Protection Plans. “While people are used to protecting electronics, many don’t know they can protect furniture too. It gives you peace of mind, knowing that expert help is there when you need it.”

To protect furniture and prolong its life, Allstate Protection Plans recommends:

• Do Regular Cleaning: Dust and dirt buildup can cause scratches and abrasions, or worse. Cleaning is especially important for high-traffic items like area rugs. 
• Use Coasters and Mats: They can prevent rings and stains from moisture and heat. 
• Invest in Protective Covers: For both indoor and outdoor furniture, especially high-use pieces, covers can help. Mattress protectors are also a good idea. 
• Rotate and Rearrange: Rotate cushions periodically to distribute weight and wear. 
• Control Environmental Factors: Regulate temperature and humidity. Close your curtains or blinds to stop fabric or wood from fading in the sun.
• Consider a Protection Plan: The coverage can include accidental damage, stains and structural issues, and protect your financial investment.

Methodology

Data Sources:

1. The Allstate Protection Plans Furniture Damage Survey, conducted in October 2023, collected 1,001 responses from online American adults via Rep Data & Ground Control Research. The survey sample was balanced across age, income, gender, and region to ensure representativeness of the US general population. Population figures cited in this report are based on the US Census 2022 Population Estimates Program.