According to a Furniture Today magazine survey, 36% of furniture buyers plan to keep their sofa for over five years. This means the choice in material is more important than ever; busy families need reliable fabric to maintain their living spaces for many years.
A step further, nearly 30% of folks from that same survey said they generally stick with the same room design for 10-15 years. Longevity is clearly important to these people.
Performance Fabric: Durable Style With No PFCs
Performance fabric used to be the staple of awnings and other outdoor fabric items. It held up well to the elements, but lacked the design options for indoor use. Not anymore.
Using upcycled materials has allowed manufacturers to create a product that is durable and water-resistant, as well as soft to the touch. Fabric manufacturers have historically made other brands of performance fabric using PFC chemicals, which gives the fabric a water and stain resistant quality. The Revolution/STI brand of performance fabric uses none of these, which carries a few specific advantages:
- Since the fabric isn’t treated with chemicals it never needs to be re-treated with use and after repeated cleaning in order to maintain its stain-resistance.
- Can be cleaned with almost any cleaning agents. Revolution’s literature says their performance fabric can even be cleaned with pure bleach without damage to the material. (No machine washing, though.)
Stylish materials that are easy to clean are a staple in any home. Since the material is durable enough for outdoor use as well, it’s easy to find patterns that fit a consistent theme inside and outside your home.
Shop our selection of Revolution Performance Fabric here.
Why is Avoiding PFCs Important?
Per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFCs) are prevalent throughout clothing and upholstery products in the US, popular for their resistance to oil, stains, and water. The EPA points out that PFCs are persistent, however, meaning they continue to build up in the environment and in the body. They estimate the bulk of the population has low amounts of PFC in their bloodstreams due to the fact that PFCs are not biodegradable. This means that any PFC materials that are discarded do not naturally decompose and disappear over time, which means accumulation over time.
In lab testing the continued exposure to PFCs is associated with low birth weight, delayed puberty, elevated cholesterol, and even reduced capacity for immunization from vaccines.
In short, PFCs are harmful to humans and to the environment. They may have beneficial effects in fabric, but modern performance fabric innovations allow for the same benefits without any of the drawbacks. Hopefully in time this will mean a significant reduction in the amount of PFC floating around.
But reading benefits is only the first part of choosing a fabric. Check out our selection of Revolution Performance Fabric to find attractive designs for your home!
