I throw an old sheet over much of it, especially where fabric is of concern. One cat in particular likes to sleep on the soft stash (as only one of his many bedding choices including real cat beds) so as long as I have it covered its okay. Its very easy to just fold back a sheet to grab some stash material. I also keep my machines covered when not in use mainly just to keep the dust out. I have doubled up two plastic bags that I just cover over my old Pfaff so that I don't have to put it down in the cabinet and it is up and ready for the next sewing session. I put the plastic cover over my Pfaff 2170 that came with it when not in use. I love my kitties!!!! And they love the window right over my machine cabinet and use it as a "step" to get up into the window, so I put a notebook over my closed laptop as well.