Common Questions

I have a dog. What fabric is right for me?

Look into getting fabric covers for any spaces your pup may frequent. Higher martindale (rub count) fabrics can help you avoid fabric fading and thinning and we also recommend avoiding leather (especially if you have cats). 


What if a fabric says dry clean only- can it be used for upholstery?

Yes- well maybe. It depends on where you are using the fabric- if the fabric is being used on a high traffic surface like a sofa - it may be best to add a protective coating to the fabric to enhance stain resistance. In areas where there isn’t much traffic- and the fabric may never need to be cleaned- a dry clean only fabric may work for you. There are companies that can professional clean upholstery- so nothing is truly off the table. 


Is leather hard to take care of? 

There are actually multiple types of leathers to choose from- Full grain and top grain leathers are the least processed- and generally hold up better in high traffic areas. Bonded leather (leather composed of leftover leather scraps) and suedes typically are more prone to wear and tear. With all leather- you can expect needing to condition the fabric biannually to ensure that cracking doesn’t form. 


What fabrics are both economical and environmental?

There are lots of fabrics that are great for the environment- that also won’t break the bank. Some of our favorites include tencil (a fabric derived from wood pulp), hemp linen, organic cotton and recycled polyester (for outdoor furnishings). 


I live in a messy household- what is the best fabric for avoiding and treating stains? Does color matter? 

We recommend stain prevention by treating the high traffic fabrics in your home or choosing recycled polyester performance fabric blends. Nowadays there are so many fabric cover options for furnishings- that color is up to you. Of course choosing darker fabrics with patterns can help hide stains, but if you buy a cover you can really do as you wish! 


What finishes can be applied to fabrics and when do they need to be reapplied?

You can treat most fabrics to be stain, UV, fade,fire and or wrinkle resistant. Generally most finishes will need to be reapplied. In an outdoor setting these protectants may need to be put on seasonally and indoors you can expect to reapply every 6-12 months. 

Looking at a furniture tag is like a nutritional label- what does everything mean? Below we will break down what your fabric’s label means and what fabrics you should be looking for. Don’t worry if you are new to this - we are here to help.

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Let’s examine some key
fabric label terms… 

Performance fabric are fabrics that do better in high traffic environments where wear and. tear are more likely. Typically these fabrics are made of non-renewable resources but that doesn’t mean they have to be bad for the environment- lots of vendors are switching over to non-PFA treated recycled poly blends. What does that mean? Any synthetic material involved in the weaves of these fabrics has been recycled and treated with non toxic chemicals- that will have similar durability to ‘regular’ fabric. Although it can be easy to default that you should buy performance fabrics- keep in mind that most people dont need every surface covered in performance fabric.

Flame retardant fabrics can be made of synthetic fibers or natural fibers that have been treated. These fabrics self extinguish and can be exposed to fire for a long time without catching fire at all. In households where there are pets or children- treating fabric to fire resistant may be a great option.

Stone washed fabrics are fabrics washed with stones to help soften the fabric and give it a more faded and worn look. For linens- especially in living rooms where you want the furnishings to feel lived in- this can be ideal.

Martindale scores and rub count can be used interchangeably. Some fabrics will undergo an abrasion test to see how a fabric performs under wear and tear. The higher the Martindale score- generally the better the fabric will perform. For residential upholstery this score will typically be 20,000 or higher. For outdoor fabrics you can expect a score of 40,000 or above. 

What types of weaves are there?

Flat Weave: Tight, flat surface without pile.

Plain Weave: Simple over-and-under interlacing pattern.

Herringbone Weave: Zigzag pattern resembling fishbone structure.

Basketweave: Two or more yarns woven together.

Matelassé: Textured, quilted fabric with raised patterns.

Velvet: Soft, plush fabric with dense pile.

Embroidered: Fabric decorated with stitched designs.

Twill: Diagonal weave for durability and drape.

Jacquard: Complex patterns woven into fabric.

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Blog Written by Lieske