My cat used to scratch the arms of a certain couch, I tired everything, the double stick tape ( she took it off faster than I could apply) covering the arms with fabric nothing worked. Someone suggested using the wide clear packing tape on the arms they don't like getting their claws stuck in it so they don't scratch it. I put it on and worked perfectly she only tried it once and never did it again. It's clear so when company comes over it is hardly noticeable.
I also figured out that this cat did not like the current scratching post I had. The one I had was covered in carpet, I got another post covered in sisal rope and she loves that one. So with the new scratching post and tape she left the couch totally alone.