The beauty and durability of soft interior items depends not only on the elaboration of internal mechanisms. It is also important what material is used for the upholstery: the time it takes to preserve the appearance of the furniture, ease of cleaning, color preservation and the overall perception of the sofa without the need for reupholstery depend on this. In this article, we’ll look at what fabric to choose for a sofa: we’ll talk about the categories/types of upholstery, their features, and selection nuances.
Types of upholstery fabrics for sofas
Before deciding what fabric to upholster a sofa with, familiarize yourself with the types of materials. Surely some of them will suit you best.
Matting and linen
Furniture matting is a rough mixed material made of synthetic fibers, also containing wool and cotton. Linen is also used for furniture upholstery, but not in its pure form. It is necessary to add artificial fibers to it.
Everything about this sofa is practical - the gray color and the matting upholstery.
Linen is well suited for eco-style interiors because it looks natural and man-made
Velveteen
This is an excellent choice for those who value comfort. Corduroy is made using the principle of attaching mini-tassels to the base. They are arranged in even rows and form a striped relief texture. Microcorduroy has the same qualities.
Corduroy is easily recognized by its characteristic ridges on the surface.
Velvet and velor
It’s easy to confuse them, but there is a difference: velvet has a higher pile, while velor has a low pile. They can have a flat surface or a structured one - with a pattern. Interior materials are designed to withstand heavy loads and can be safely used in everyday life.
Dark colors suit velor upholstery very well
A yellow folding sofa with velor upholstery can become an interior accent
Wool
Few people choose a fabric such as wool as upholstery for a sofa. The reason is its price. But this disadvantage is compensated by such qualities as pleasant texture and durability. Wool literally envelops you with its warmth. The basis for this covering is the wool of animals such as goats and sheep.
Wool sofa in the shape of lips, reminiscent of the work of Salvador Dali, for bold natures
Wool sofa upholstery
Leather
This luxury material is good because it has a presentable appearance and an unlimited service life. With proper care, of course. Natural leather that has aged naturally takes on a special charm.
The “Chester” model sofa made of genuine leather is most suitable for a living room and a solid office
Microfiber
Microfiber coating
This upholstery material does not fade or fade when exposed to sunlight, dirt does not eat into it, and water does not penetrate inside. Despite this, the material allows the sofa to “breathe”. It should be mentioned that this upholstery material is susceptible to high temperatures and temperature changes. One of the disadvantages noticeable at first glance is the high cost.
The coating also requires special care measures. The material requires special formulations; washing is allowed only on a delicate cycle, and drying occurs only naturally in the open air. Upholstery material can also be treated with a vacuum cleaner, a damp sponge and a soft-bristled brush.
The material should not be ironed or exposed to acetone or other nail polish removers. To remove serious stains, you can use baking soda and a damp cloth. If we are talking about grease stains, then it is permissible to use detergent. It is also acceptable to use vodka or alcohol.
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Advantages of fabric upholstery
Leather sofas are solid and durable, but at home many people prefer to have furniture with a fabric surface. And that's why:
- Many textile coverings do not require special detergents. But for leather ones they may be needed. And not only for cleaning stains, but also for regular regular care. After all, as you know, leather cannot be washed with plain water.
- The textile does not slip or stick to the skin, it is warm and pleasant to the touch. This means that it will be comfortable to sit on such a sofa during the day and sleep at night, if the model is folding. Relaxing on a textile surface is much more pleasant than on furniture made of non-woven materials or leather.
- Textile materials come in a huge variety of shades and prints, and also have interesting textures. There is always the opportunity to choose a covering that fits perfectly into the interior and matches the style of the room.
- Modern fabrics are impregnated with special compounds that provide additional dirt resistance. Caring for them is easy. Most often, you can do without dry cleaning services. It is only important to follow the recommendations for removing stains step by step.
- Textile coverings protect the internal parts of furniture quite well from dust and moisture. The filler, frame and mechanisms will last a long time.
- Most types of textile coverings are inexpensive. And elite, noble materials today have more budget-friendly substitutes. They are no worse in quality and are not inferior in beauty.
The upholstery of the sofa should be combined with its style and the style of the interior.
How to care for a sofa with velor upholstery?
Caring for velor upholstery is not difficult if it is carried out regularly using a special brush or vacuum cleaner with a rubber nozzle strictly in the direction of the pile. For care, do not use fluffy rags, which can leave whitish spots on the fabric. It is not recommended to use powdered cleaning compounds, bleaches or products containing solvents.
Pollution cleaning technology:
- wet a microfiber cloth in a mild soap solution;
- Apply the solution to the contaminated area, rub the microfiber cloth in the direction of the pile without applying strong pressure;
- dry naturally.
The most resistant to all types of dirt and ultraviolet radiation is velor fabric coated with Teflon.
What is better to choose
Before purchasing new furniture or covering it, it is important to consider where it will be placed and how often it will be used. For a sofa in the living room you need one thing, for the kitchen - completely different.
Impregnated upholstery
When wondering which fabric is the most practical for upholstering a sofa, one must take into account that impregnation plays a big role. This protective coating improves the quality of the material several times.
Certain types of impregnations can protect against:
- dirt and dust;
- water penetration;
- statics.
Elimination of static is necessary so that the surface does not constantly spark from friction and does not attract dust.
Coverings for children's models
Which fabric is best for upholstering a children's sofa depends on the age of the child and his neatness. Flock is the leader in reviews on social networks and forums. It is easy to clean and has sufficient strength.
Suitable for a nursery and a tapestry - it is environmentally friendly and durable. And against its motley background, small spots, if any, will not be noticeable. The only drawback of this material is the risk of snags from sharp objects.
A bright blanket will make a children's sofa more attractive and at the same time save it from the need for dry cleaning
Photo gallery
To choose a better fabric for upholstery, look at the photo from the gallery: how specific products look in the interior.
If there are cats in the house
Owners of meowing pets are better off choosing a material for the sofa that is resistant to claws. In addition, if there are furry animals in the house and they like to sit on the furniture, then its covering should not collect wool. The above requirements are met by such coatings as eco-suede, flock, velor. The covering should not be quilted - it is easy to pull the thread out of it. Fabric with an anti-claw effect does not have loops or other elements that a cat can get caught on and tear the material.
Smooth and dense fabric without loops is not afraid of cat claws
If there is a dog
No matter how obedient a four-legged friend is, he can play pranks. Puppies are especially distinguished by this - they chew the legs and corners of any furniture. But while the dog is growing, we need to find ways to protect things from it. We recommend choosing a sofa with metal legs. For example, Claudio Bellini. And it’s worth purchasing anti-vandal upholstery for the sofa. Here again the flock comes to the rescue - it is smooth and difficult to catch on with fangs. This fabric will also withstand the pranks of other inhabitants, for example, parrots.
Puppies are usually not interested in metal furniture legs
For the living room
What fabric to choose for a sofa in the living room? There are most options here. If you often have guests, choose the most durable fabrics that can be cleaned regularly. For example, jacquard, matting, chenille. And if the load on this piece of furniture is not very large, allow yourself the pleasure of having a covering made of magnificent velor, comfortable cotton or warm faux fur.
ADVICE. A popular technique is to place upholstered furniture from different collections, upholstered in different types of fabrics. This gives the atmosphere an effect of spontaneity and naturalness.
Noble pine-green velor looks chic as upholstery for a living room sofa
Consumer Reviews
Write your impressions in the comments at the end of the page.
Milana “In terms of cladding, it is impeccable! There are a lot of color options.”
Nikolay “I have a sofa with this material. And I can say that it is one of the best furniture fabrics I have ever owned. Among the advantages are strength and durability. The sofa is still like new. There are no puffs or scuffs on it. Great look.”
Anna “I can say from myself that furniture made from this fabric will look like new for a long time. True, it is necessary that, for example, pets do not sharpen their claws on it).”
Roman “As a specialist in the furniture industry, I can write one more plus - it absolutely does not absorb odors and dirt. For example, I had a chair made of a different fabric, it stood in the country. When we brought her home, she could smell the smell of a fire. This can’t happen with chenille.”
Yulia “We covered furniture with this material in 2014, it looks beautiful! Someone spilled coffee on a chair. They cleaned it with antipyatin, but you need to wait no more than 5 minutes. It’s better not to experiment with powder products.”
Lena “I ruined part of the sofa because I wiped it with a wet rag. The stain remains."
Diana “As for care, I can immediately say that it is better to buy special products for cleaning furniture, this applies not only to chenille, but also to flock and tapestry.”
Ivan “I will say that there can be clues on any material. I was able to leave clues at my friends' houses. because there were rivets on the jeans.”
Oleg “I would say this: if you don’t have children or animals yet, then any material will do. But! For example, chenille fabric is more economical among many. So, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on upholstery, then choose this.”
Ilona “My furniture has survived 4 moves - everything is fine with it. But recently I went with a friend and chose something inexpensive for her apartment. I noticed that chenille is different now, maybe it depends on the manufacturer, but it is thinner than before.”
Zhanna “Here, someone already wrote that they washed the upholstery in the form of chenille fabric very quickly. I have a different review, I can’t clean stains that appeared from everyday life with anything. What have I tried? so be careful.”
Sasha “This furniture looks great in any colors! I recommend it to everyone!”
Lena “The fabric is durable and does not absorb odors. Just don’t treat with water.”
Zhenya “And my cat immediately fell in love with the chenille sofa. I can’t get rid of the corner of the sofa, but that’s a topic for another site).”
Anton “After reviews of chenille fabric, I have doubts about purchasing a furniture set. I'll think about it some more. But the store assured that this fabric looked expensive and did not need to be cleaned often.”
Tanya “I had tapestry furniture, but I liked chenille more for its appearance and durability.
Grigory “I’ll say this – chenille furniture is best suited for offices, rooms where people wait in line, for example. It’s beautiful and can always be cleaned with dry products.”
Color fastness and test to determine it
Color fastness refers to the ability of a fabric to remain bright even after exposure to light, water and friction. This property is influenced by the quality of the dye, as well as the method of dyeing the material. Of course, over time, every fabric, especially natural ones, loses color saturation. However, in the case of a high-quality product, the upholstery is more likely to get tired over many years of service than to fade.
Color fastness is not an abstract indicator, but a very specific one. There is a special test to determine color fastness. To carry it out, you need to take two identical samples of upholstery and rub one of them with a metal disk for a long time. First wipe with a dry cloth, then with a damp one. Next, this sample is compared with the shade table. It is assigned a certain score - from 1 to 5.
An indicator of 3.5-4.5 points is considered quite good. It is rare to find fabrics that deserve a higher rating. It is worth considering that dark fabrics fade much more noticeably. Especially if they are in a room with large windows or on a loggia. The materials that are most unstable to sun exposure are those that have a printed pattern. And fabrics with a uniform composition of fibers or pile have the greatest color fastness.
The most colorfast fabric is light
Cleaning Features
The procedure for cleaning furniture is as follows:
You should look at the tag. They usually indicate how to properly clean. Typically, microvelour contains 1 of 3 measurements: “W” - means that a product with a water base is suitable, “S” - a composition of non-aqueous solvents, “SW” - a product with both water and other bases is suitable. A suitable cleaning agent must be selected. Its main component will be isopropyl or other pure alcohol, for example, vodka. If the furniture is marked "W" or "SW", a weak solution of water and soap or detergent is suitable. After this procedure, stains may remain on the material, so it is preferable to use alcohol. In addition to the detergent, you will need a clean and empty spray bottle, a white or undyed sponge, a towel, a brush with soft bristles, and a vacuum cleaner. You can vacuum furniture. You need to remove the pillows and vacuum the sofa with a soft brush attachment to remove crumbs, dust, and debris. Large debris must be removed by hand. Vacuum every nook and cranny, not forgetting your pillows. The spray bottle must be filled with cleaning agent. Alcohol is used for furniture. You can mix liquid soap in water (15 ml per 1 liter). The product needs to be tested. To do this, find an inconspicuous area and check the effect of the detergent on it. Apply a little alcohol or cleaning solution to the area, blot it with a clean cloth and leave to dry. After an hour, you need to check for discoloration, changes in texture, dye seepage, or shrinkage of the fabric. The furniture needs to be cleaned. Apply a small amount of cleaner to a small area of the sofa or chair. Stains and dirty places are wiped with clean material or a sponge. To avoid smearing dirt, you need to turn the material with the clean side more often. The pillows also need to be treated. The furniture must dry. If alcohol or a little water is used, the microsuede dries quickly. Need to smooth out the material
It is treated with a brush with soft bristles. It is important to keep micro velor clean. Vacuum it at least once a week
Spilled liquids should be wiped up immediately to prevent stains from forming. Old stains can be removed with a small amount of alcohol and a clean cloth.
Judging by the reviews, furniture fabric will look neat only if quality care is provided. These rules apply to the processing of sofas, armchairs, poufs and other furniture made of such material.
Wear tests
The criterion that reports the ability of upholstery to withstand friction, heating and cooling, stretching, moisture and other physical influences is called wear resistance . The degree of wear resistance is determined using a test. There are several ways to do this.
One of the most famous tests is the Martindale method test . Its principle is as follows: a fragment of material is fixed on a flat surface made of foam plastic, and then this material is rubbed with a rotating disk with an abrasive applied to it. The test continues until three threads on the test piece break, or until all the fibers, if any, are worn off. As a result, the material is assigned a certain coefficient. For example, viscose chenille can withstand from 6 to 10 thousand disc rotation cycles, and polyester velor - more than 50 thousand. This is more than enough for home use. A coefficient of 15 thousand cycles is suitable for a banquette in the hallway, a headboard, and so on. With a figure of 20 thousand, we can talk about sufficient reliability of the upholstery.
Another method, the Visinbeck test , is used mainly in the USA. The material is rubbed along a transverse thread in a special machine, simulating the friction from sitting on a sofa. The industry standard is 15 thousand friction cycles. This upholstery is optimal for use in residential areas. Higher rates are only necessary for furniture located in public places.
When choosing a covering for upholstered furniture, remember these numbers:
- for rarely used furniture, 12 thousand Martindale cycles are sufficient;
- the average operating frequency requires from 15 to 20 thousand cycles;
- Intensively used upholstered furniture requires fabric that can withstand 20 thousand cycles or more.
A practical gray sofa can be complemented with less practical bright pillows
Velor or matting?
Matting is a durable natural material, consisting of 100% cotton, linen or wool threads. It has a rough texture, looks like burlap, and does not wrinkle. The advantage of this option is the budget cost. The matting fits organically into the interiors of ethno- and eco-styles.
This type of upholstery, unlike velor, is not suitable for formal interiors and does not withstand the claws of pets at all. To remove stubborn stains, you can use a sponge lightly moistened with soapy water. Basically, matting, which does not tolerate moisture and cleaning agents, is used in rooms where there are no pets or small children.
Arpatek
Arpatek coating
This upholstery material looks very similar to leather. The advantages are long service life and ease of operation. This surface feels a little warmer and less slippery than leather. However, the material is susceptible to cracking.
To remove various types of contaminants, it is necessary to use a soap composition; you can also use cleansers that are used for the skin. Do not use chlorine-containing compounds. Also, avoid using alcohol-based cleaners frequently.
Acetone or any bleach is strictly not recommended. Ideally, it is better to stock up on leather interior care products and use only them.
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Courtesan
Courtesan covering
Upholstered furniture with such a coating is a real dream of every housewife. The material is impregnated with water-repellent compounds and is not subject to the formation of dirt. Also, the upholstery material perfectly resists mechanical stress and high temperatures, but at the same time it is quite expensive.
To care for such a sofa, it is permissible to use a vacuum cleaner and various cleaning compounds. Do not dry clean. You can use a soap solution, but do not use strong chemically active components. A sponge and soap are also used to remove grease stains.
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Forest
Forest covering
It is a fairly durable upholstery material that practically does not deform during use. In addition, it is not susceptible to contamination or liquid penetration. Demonstrates high resistance to mechanical and temperature influences.
To clean this material, use a damp sponge or rag; in addition, only dry surface treatment is permissible. In case of serious contamination, it is permissible to use a soap solution and a cloth.
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