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The market is flooded with a variety of upholstery fabrics but the question is which fabric type is good to use. Well, we’ll guide you through the pros and cons of each type of upholstery fabric so that you can make a better decision.
- Polyester
Pros
- Soft and comfortable
- Easy to clean
- Dries quickly when washed and spilled
- Abrasion-resistant
- Stain Resistant
- Slightly breathable and doesn’t absorb odors
Cons
- Cracks when exposed to extreme temperatures
- Polyester can stretch over time as it is tensile
- Flammable
- Rayon
Pros
- Cheap
- Soft and comfortable
- Resistant to moths and mildew
- Durable
Cons
- The fabric can’t retain its original state for longer periods of time
- Susceptible to scratches
- Prone to wrinkling
- Rayon is not water-resistant
- Can’t return to its original appearance quickly due to low elastic recovery
- Acetate
Pros
- Cheap upholstery fabric
- Resistant to humidity
- Resistant to mold and mildew
- Resistant to pilling
- Lustrous and shiny appearance
Cons
- It can wrinkle easily
- Lacks strength
- Lacks elasticity
- Susceptible to stains and scratches
- Requires dry-cleaning
- Acetate is not suitable for regular use
- Wool
Pros
- Wool blend that is used for upholstery purposes is extremely comfortable
- Water-resistant
- Fire-resistant
- Environmentally-friendly
- Good insulating features
- Durable
- Resistant to fading
- Resistant to mold and mildew
- Resistant to wrinkling
Cons
- Expensive
- Olefin
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Chemical resistant
- Fire resistant
- Water-based stains can be cleaned easily from olefin upholstery
- Resistant to fading
- Olefin can be cleaned with bleach
Cons
- Vulnerable to light, oil, and heat
- Olefin is not versatile
- It is very hard to remove oil-based stains from olefin upholstery
- Excess exposure to sunlight can make this fabric brittle
- Cotton
Pros
- Soft and comfortable
- Resistant to pilling
- Breathable
- Abrasion-resistant
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- It can wrinkle easily
- The fabric can catch any color even your clothes color
- Cotton upholstered furniture can stink over time as the fabric can easily soak in spills
- Silk
Pros
- Luxurious
- Durable
- Versatile
- Silk can retain its original shape well
Cons
- Expensive
- Not family-friendly
- Silk upholstered furniture is not suitable for homes where pets are present
- Susceptible to fading and spills
- Susceptible to UV rays
- Needs dry-cleaning
- Acrylic
Pros
- Dries quickly
- Soft
- Easy to clean and wash
- Available in bright colors
- Perfect for outdoor furniture as acrylic is sun-safe fabric
Cons
- Susceptible to abrasion
- Can be allergic sometimes
- Susceptible to pilling
- Susceptible to flame and heat
- Linen
Pros
- Affordable
- Abrasion-resistant
- Resistant to fading
- Eco-friendly
- Soft, smooth, and comfortable
- Durable
- Possesses natural luster and sheen
- Anti-bacterial
Cons
- Prone to soiling
- Linen can wrinkle easily
- The fabric is not suitable for everyday furniture
- Needs professional cleaning otherwise, it can shrink
- Velvet
Pros
- Luxury appearance
- Possesses excellent insulation properties
- Can be dyed in rich colors
- The fabric looks regal
Cons
- Expensive
- Cleaning and maintenance is difficult
- Only suitable for lush furniture
- Leather
Pros
- Easy to maintain
- Extremely durable
- Resistant to spilling
- Well-suited for regular furniture
Cons
- Not as comfortable as other upholstery fabrics out there
- It can split or crack due to its tanned skin
- Quite expensive
Choosing the right upholstery fabric can be difficult sometimes. However, you should consider a few factors before selecting the fabric like whether you have pets in the house or not, the type of use of the furniture, it’s cleaning, stain resistance, and above all, its cost. The right upholstery fabric is very important to ensure the longevity of your furniture.
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