How to test the durability and strength of my sofa upholstery fabric
When buying a new piece of furniture, one of the biggest concerns will inevitably be durability; With the fabric being the “skin” of the piece, its ability to take a beating is arguably the most important factor, especially for high-traffic areas. Still, most people have no idea how to choose the most durable fabric, and that’s okay! We are here to help.
The first thing you need to know is, how exactly do you measure the durability of a fabric? Most fabrics go through one of two test methods, known as Wyzenbeek and Martindale, to give the fabric an “abrasion” or “double rub” rating. Essentially, the fabric is pulled taut and rubbed in two directions with a standard weight fabric; if two thread breaks occur, or if appreciable wear is observed, then the number of rubs is recorded as the abrasion index. 30,000 double rubs is considered a minimum durability for commercial use; hotels, conference rooms, etc. Between 30,000 and 100,000 is considered heavy duty. While these tests are only used as tools to predict wear, it can help when looking at fabrics to know that the higher the abrasion index, the better it performs in the durability test.
However, there are definitely other factors to consider when choosing a fabric based on durability. Most fabrics come with standard levels of durability across the board, based simply on the material they’re made from. The most durable materials are leather and microdenier (“microfiber”). Leather is durable and easy to vacuum, clean and condition for a long life. Made from 100% polyester, microdenier has an extremely tight weave, making it difficult for dirt and/or liquids to penetrate its surface, as well as difficult to rip, tear or pill. Cotton, depending on the fabric (canvas is best!), is also very durable in terms of wear, fading and pilling, however it tends to wrinkle and will absorb stains; a cotton-poly blend is a great compromise to help prevent wrinkles, and a stain-fighting treatment can offset its absorbent properties. Wool, although usually very warm, is extremely resistant to pilling, fading, soiling, and fading. A blend with polyester or rayon can make it more skin-friendly. Made to mimic wool, acrylic fibers don’t fade, soil, or wear easily, although less expensive versions do often show a certain amount of pilling after a while of heavy use. Rayon can go either way – high-quality rayon can be extremely durable, but be careful when looking for rayon at a very low price – it is likely to wrinkle and can sometimes absorb water spots. Other highly durable fabrics include olefin, nylon, and vinyl; all very good options for intensive use furniture.
Less durable fabrics include linen and silk. Don’t get me wrong, both can be beautiful, luxurious additions to a beautiful piece of furniture, but they should probably only be used in “adult” areas, where food and drink don’t go, as they get dirty (and wrinkled). easily. Both need to be professionally cleaned if stained and will not hold up to heavy wear and tear. However, both breathe well and resist pilling and fading.
Whichever fabric you fall in love with, there will almost always be a more durable alternative. If you want leather but don’t have time to care for it, opt for vinyl or microsuede. If you love linen but need a child- or pet-friendly fabric, opt for faux linen (either a cotton/poly blend or 100% polyester). If you love the formal, elegant feel of silk and velvet, but don’t live in a formal setting, try microvelvet. A good piece of furniture must adjust to your tastes, but it must also adjust to the use you give it; Make sure you’re honest with yourself from the start about how you treat your sofa, and everything will be smooth sailing!