<human>: Can you provide a brief overview of the text?

Alright, so I really would love some advice on how to deal with my adult kitties scratching up furniture/carpet.  One is 5 years old, the other is 4. Unfortunately I didn't really train them when they were young because I've always lived in cheap apartments with cheap furniture (college life!) and didn't really care. (MISTAKE). 

I recently moved back in with my parents, and I will be here for 2 years while I finish grad school. They have much nicer things than I did, and I am really worried about my babies ruining their furniture and carpets! The plan was to use Soft Paws ( which I had used in previous years with no problems.  However... it's been a f*cking nightmare! I feel as though I am torturing them while putting them on- it really seems to hurt them...  Declawing is out of the question too. I can't do that to them, especially as adults. 

So, please give me any advice that you may have! What has worked for you? I will try anything! I am especially looking for natural sprays that cats dislike the smell of.. (I try to stay away from the deterrent sprays that are full of chemicals...), however I am willing to put aside my crunchy ways! I really just need something effective.
<bot>: Adult kitties scratching furniture/carpets. Claw covers and declawing are not viable options.  Any other advice appreciated.