How To Choose The Best Upholstery Fabric

When it’s time to choose a new upholstery fabric to recover that worn out furniture there are lots of choices to consider. Is it durable, cleanable, comfortable? Finding the right pattern and color to coordinate with existing decor can be challenging and the most satisfying. While there are no steadfast rules for this, look for fabrics that make you feel happy when you walk in your room and you will have succeeded!

When searching for the best upholstery fabric everyone will have different needs between design and durability, let’s see if we can explain some of the specifications about upholstery fabrics and you can start your search at 1502 Fabrics.

Durability is one of the most important factors in choosing the best upholstery fabric for your furniture, look for the wear rating to start but also consider weave and contents. Wear ratings at 15,000 to 30,000 double rubs are considered for residential use and will service most homes well. There are lots of new performance fabrics at 50,000 and above that are available today which reach contract quality and are still comfortable to the touch. New technology in polyester, olefin, acrylic and other synthetic solution dyed yarns have changed the industry and offer durability, stain resistance and are easy to clean. Some mills like Al Fresco Fabrics, Bella-Dura, Sunbrella, Outdura offer solution dyed High UV yarns so they are suitable inside or outside.

Revolution Performance Fabrics have created a new proprietary olefin yarn that is durable and virtually stain proof with no PFC’s. There are a lot of other fabrics to consider in various weaves and contents that are durable and comfortable. Take a look at the new polyester and polyester blends they have come a long way and produce fabric that is soft to the touch, durable and easy to clean.

With all the technology in synthetics, cotton and cotton blends in the right weaves and weights can still offer wear ratings up to 50,000, but may fade quicker especially if it’s a piece dyed or printed fabric. Cotton and cotton blend fabrics do offer a huge selection of designer patterns and colors that are beautiful and offer surprising durability. Don’t overlook that upholstery fabric you love because of a lower wear rating, most of us don’t need a contract quality fabric to offer longevity in our home.

You can start in our Performance Fabric category to find the best upholstery fabric for pets and kids, but don’t limit yourself to just those choices. There are many durable upholstery fabrics with design and color that will work for that family room sofa or chair.

Visit our Fabrics 101 page for more information on upholstery fabric wear test specifications and other fabric information.

Choosing the best upholstery fabric to clean is also important to everyone, who hasn’t had the accidental spill now and then. The new polyester, polyolefin, olefin, acrylic fabrics are virtually stain proof and easy to clean with no chemicals added (do not apply surface treatments to these fabrics they don’t need them).

Surface applied treatments like Teflon, Scotchgard, Forcefield and other generic versions are helpful and applied to many fabrics already or can be applied by the consumer, always test an inconspicuous area before applying. Yarn immersion products are the best and treated at the mill, there are many brands and can be applied to most any fabric content. Infused in the yarn so every fiber is treated and becomes permanent in the fabric, spills will stay on top ready to clean up.

Crypton Home Fabric with its superior technology is the leader in this category, many of the large furniture brands and fabric distributors offer Crypton Home upholstery fabrics.

Visit our Crypton Home Information page to learn more.

For most a compromise between design, color, durability and the ability to clean will depend on your personal needs. Start shopping now for the best upholstery fabric and fall in love with your furniture again!