The best fabrics to upholster stain-resistant sofas
3 min read
sofa cover
Do you have pets at home? Small children? Maybe you love your sofa so much that you can’t stand any minor stains dirtying it. To achieve victory against stains and wear, we recommend the best stain-resistant fabrics for upholstering or covering sofas or dining room chairs.
What is the best fabric for a sofa?
There is no better fabric for sofas. There is not because each of us has needs in our daily lives. Yes, there are a series of notable characteristics related to fabrics, which we list below:
- Fabric strength
- Adaptability
- Ease of washing
- Fabrics with special treatments
- Color choice
- Texture
Natural fibers and materials / synthetic fibers and materials
A resistant fabric makes wear and tear due to the continuous friction of everyday life when sitting and getting up, less and therefore more durable. An adaptable fabric will better resist deformities. There are also fabrics with unique treatments; they are stain-resistant fabrics for upholstering sofas that repel dirt and even make liquids slide much more effectively. Other fabrics absorb the liquid, making removing the stain more difficult.
Choosing a light or dark color will also make a difference. To do this, we must consider what use we will give to that area of ​​the house or specific furniture. Living with pets is not the same – when you realize they have jumped up and are on your sofa -with small children, in a student apartment, living alone or with your partner. There are times in life or situations when more robust options are needed.
Natural fibers and materials and synthetic fibers and materials are another critical issue to consider. Among the natural options, we have cotton and leather as the kings of this type of material. Among the most used synthetic options, we find leatherette or polyester. Another option is to alternate using both materials; for example, use different materials on the armrests and the seat, depending on our objective. And in a similar vein, use materials whose composition is natural and synthetic. An example of the latter would be chenille, which, although sometimes made of 100% cotton or polyester, usually combines cotton, polyester, or acrylic fibers.
As for the ease of washing, we can see it from several points of view. On the one hand, there are removable sofa covers with fabrics that we can even wash in the washing machine. And if not, always make things easier, even if it’s washing by hand. On the other hand, there are fabrics from which the stain can be removed only with water. In both cases, washing a stain is more accessible than in those fabrics that seem to suck the stain into themselves without remorse, much to our chagrin.
Fabrics to upholster sofas
These 3 fabrics to upholster sofas or armchairs that we explain below are exciting options.
Cotton. It is a good choice for hot environments because it breathes easily and is resistant. If the cotton has gone through a sanforizing process, it has been pre-washed to prevent it from shrinking in subsequent washes.
Microfiber. Microfiber is a synthetic fabric. It is one of the fabrics that combines the most significant number of characteristics. It is durable, pleasant to the touch — with a velvety, soft texture —and easy to clean; it repels water quite well. If you don’t want a removable sofa cover, microfiber can be a perfect option for the upholstery of your sofa.
Skin. Durability is one of the most notable characteristics of this material. A sofa made of this material will last you for many years. You can quickly rehydrate and clean the skin with the appropriate treatment.
Fabrics to upholster dining chairs
Polyester. This synthetic fabric is very resistant and economical and does not easily cause wrinkles. It absorbs colors well, making your chosen color or printed motif look vivid.
Microfiber. Exceptionally resistant to stains: made of very dense synthetic fibers, liquids do not pass through easily. High durability.
Leatherette. This material is similar in appearance to leather but much cheaper. Polyurethane is a type of leatherette: it is durable, resistant to oils or solvents, and resistant to tears. Finally, after everything we have seen, we recommend always looking at the manufacturer’s label. In it, you will have first-hand information about this material’s maintenance and cleaning possibilities.
