We never really had this issue, but I would try putting the folded towels in a cupboard with a door. As for furniture you could try and fit some hard plastic over the favourite scratching area so she won't get a grip with her claws.

We had our cat when we were doing a remodel (still going on at my parents, I still remember when the front porch was ripped out and the big job was starting back in 2000, but even before then the house was being remoddeled.

She loved to scrach against wodden posts so much so that over the years she had scratched away about a third of the equivalent of a twobyfour post.

We let her do that since the post would hold little weight, and it is relatively easy to swap if needed.

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

I'll try the plastic idea; thanks.

Though it still doesn't solve the issue of her refusing to scratch a designated post. She'll just find something else. I've thought about buying a cheap yoga mat, cutting off a bit and taping it to the floor, cause she seems to enjoy scratching those too when we're working out and step away for a break.