Upholstery Fabrics

When reupholstering a chair or sofa it is important to choose a fabrics that is durable and stain / water resistant such as a heavy cotton, leather or synthetic. There are a variety of choices to be made when choosing an upholstery fabric that go beyond simple color or pattern. read more

When reupholstering a chair or sofa it is important to choose a fabrics that is durable and stain / water resistant such as a heavy cotton, leather or synthetic. There are a variety of choices to be made when choosing an upholstery fabric that go beyond simple color or pattern. For example, if you have a pet, a microfiber fabric or leather would hold up well to heavy use. If your chair or sofa will be in a high-traffic area of your home, a woven pattern will last longer than a printed pattern, as do higher thread counts. It is best to avoid delicately colored fabrics when living with children and pets.

Fabric considerations

• If your piece of furniture will be placed in a sunny room or close to a window, you should consider choosing a fade resistant fabric. • If you live in a humid climate or are recovering something that will be used on a boat, then a mildew resistant fabric would be best. • If you or someone in your family has very sensitive allergies a microfiber fabric would be a good option as they are lint free and do not attract dust. • If you have pets with claws avoid using delicate fabrics such as silk which can be easily damaged. Cats also enjoy testing their claws on fabrics with texture.

Upholstery Fabric protection

Upholstery fabrics undergo an extensive finishing process at the factory. They are usually treated with soil / water repellants and some form of mildew inhibitor. Once in your home additional fabric protectors can be applied to an upholstered piece. While all these processes help maintain your fabric by keeping spills and stains from being absorbed instantly, it is very important to promptly clean a spill or stain to avoid any permanent damage to the fabric. Blot any spills with a clean cloth or towel – do not rub. If blotting did not remove the stain completely then a product for spot cleaning may be necessary. Verify the manufacturer’s instructions to see if a water-based or solvent-based product is recommended. It is always best to use a mild cleaning product first. Apply the product with a soft brush using circular motions to gently work it into the fibers, and then vacuum when it’s dry.

Fabric maintenance

It’s recommended to vacuum your upholstered fabrics/furniture once a week to remove any dust and surface soil to prevent dirt from becoming embedded in the fibers. Hiring a professional cleaning service to come and clean every few years is a wise investment to keep your quality furniture looking its best for years to come. Remember that the dirtier a chair or sofa becomes, the harder it will be to return it to its original beauty.

Upholstery Fabric composition

Some weaves are more durable than others. Canvas and twills weaves are stronger than satin weaves, which are looser and separated which can snag easily. Upholstery fabrics made from polyester or poly-blend are better for stuffed chairs and sofas because they will retain their form for longer. The higher the cotton content the shorter the time span for retaining its shape; cotton is not a resistant fabric for furniture.

Commercial use Upholstery fabrics

Fabrics that will be used in senior’s residences, private medical centers, hotels, theatres, etc. require highly resistant fabrics. Upholstery fabricsare available in several grades. These different grades are indentified by “rubs” (most often indicated on the special order catalogs). A domestic fabric often has 18,000 double rubs while commercial fabrics use over 75,000 double rubs. In general the more rubs the more suitable the fabric is for intense use.

Public areas
Public areas (schools, auditoriums, theatres, churches, etc.), are required by law to use fabrics certified as fire retardant. Please verify with your local fire department or your insurance company for specific safety regulations.

FR = Fire Retardant
A fabric that is certified FR has been topically treated with a chemical fire retardant. Because it has been topically treated (on the surface only) the treatment will wear off over time. Repeated cleanings will dissolve the upholstered fabrics fire retardancy sooner.

IFR = Inherent Fire Retardant
PFR = Permanently Fire Retardant
A fabric that is certified IFR or PFR has been woven with fibers that are non-combustible for the life of the fabric.