With so many fabric options available it can become a bit overwhelming when choosing the new furniture of your dream. Color and pattern design are essential , but before you get to that point you need to pick the type of fabric to best suite your lifestyle.
From natural to synthetic textiles, we put together this fabric guide to help you make decision. One of the most essential criteria is how much use it can stand up to and for furniture you’re going to be spending a lot of time sitting on, texture is also very important. Your sofa and lounge chair that gets every day use, it needs to be comfy.
NATURAL FABRICS- LINEN
Eco -friendly: made from flax.
Strongest of all natural fibers.
Feels smooth, soft and cool to the touch.
Resists piling and soiling; wrinkles easily removed.
Some can be washed or dry-cleaned.
Often used in blend with cotton for greater elasticity.
Caring for Linen
Spot clean with a mild, water-free solvent. Professional cleaning is recommended for tough stains.
NATURAL FABRICS- COTTON
Cotton is soft and durable, but it’s also prone to wrinkling and can be easily soiled. It’s a common choice for slipcovers, since most cotton can be cleaned with soap and water. You’ll rarely find 100% cotton upholstery fabric — it’s typically part of a blend. The best-quality cotton blends will generally contain about 45% to 60% cotton.
Caring for Cotton
Spot clean with a mild, water-free solvent. Professional cleaning is recommended for tough stains.
NATURAL FABRICS- WOOL
Comes from animal hair, wool is a durable for upholstery fabric. However it can get scratchy and if not part of a blend, can be difficult to clean and risks felting.
Caring for Wool
Vacuum it regularly. Never use a vacuum rotary brush to clean the wool furniture. Spot clean with mild soap and water light solvent. Professional cleaning is recommended for tough stains.
NATURAL FABRICS- LEATHER & SUEDE
Made from animal hide, leather is soft, breathable, extremely durable and incredibly resistant to stains. There are different grades of leather, so make sure to look for top or full-grain leather to ensure you’re getting the best.
Caring for Leather
Clean up spills right away and wipe up dust monthly. Apply a high-quality leather conditioner once a year, Vacuum with a soft brush to pick up crumbs, dust, etc. and avoid scratching the furniture. Condition your leather furniture with leather CPR annually.
PERFORMANCE FABRICS-
Performance Fabric is a used in the furniture industry to describe fabrics that are easy to clean and withstand the wear and tear. Performance fabrics are designed to repel water, as well as resist mold, mildew, and staining. The durable weaves and refined texture make them great for homes with pets and kids.
The most common threads used for performance upholstery fabric are olefin, acrylic, nylon, and polyester.
Caring for Performance
Simple stains should be able to come out with a little water and blotting. Tough stains like coffee, cupcakes, and dirty paws, should be able to come out with some household or upholstery cleaner.