Do you love sitting in front of the TV to watch your favorite movie or curling up with a good book?
Sometimes, you might feel like hosting a party more than your style.
Be your aim be anything, choosing the right sofa will make or break the time you spend.
Therefore, when you are searching for a new sofa, one of the most important things to consider is the sofa upholstery basics.
It might be that your new couch looks gorgeous, but the fabric or material cannot withstand daily wear and tear.
You will end up regretting your purchase in a few months.
Before you shop for this decorative piece, read this guide and know common sofa upholstery basics for a long-lasting sofa.
Fabrics For Sofa Upholstery
Linen
Linen is made from strong natural flax, which makes it impressively hardwearing.
Additionally, this fabric is moisture-resistant and can absorb half of the liquid weight without feeling damp.
It also resists pilling and fading and ages remarkably well.
Linen does shrink and wrinkle easily, but this can be avoided by using a low heat setting when washing.
You should also remove the linen from the wash while still moderately damp.
Cotton
Resistant to wear, fading, and pilling, cotton is another durable fabric that can be used for upholstered furniture.
Aura Curtains help their clients make this stronger by blending it with other fabrics professionally. This gives it a stain-resistant finish.
With these modifications, cotton is practically impervious.
As this fabric is inexpensive to boot, it makes it one of the most durable textiles you can get on a budget.
Acrylic
A man-made sofa upholstery material that was created as an alternative to wool. It is extremely popular due to its durability and ease of care.
Acrylic is a wrinkle and pest-resistant material, and being so tough, it is soft to the touch.
If you need a good-looking and comfortable material that can hold up to the test of time, this fabric must be your ideal choice.
Polyester
Another durable and affordable manufactured fabric, as it is tightly woven or blended with other fabrics like nylon.
This fabric is ideal for furniture that experiences plenty of wear.
Therefore, if your house has pets, kids, or high-traffic.
Polyester is fade-resistant, and it also has high stain-resistance, making it easy to clean.
Make sure it is not a very breathable fabric, as it may tend to gather pet hair or lint.
Microfiber
This is typically woven from synthetic fibers like polyester that creates a highly durable fabric resistant to abrasions and stains.
Even the bonds between the threads are so strong that they can withstand tears.
The tight weave prevents liquids and dirt from seeping into the fabric.
This fabric is a heavy-duty material and can stand up to ample usage, and is great for busy households with children and pets.
Additionally, if this sofa upholstery fabric is not washed correctly, it can still hold on to oils and water spots.
Enjoy your movie night without worrying about stains.
Velvet
When it comes to choosing a fabric for a luxurious feel that offers a diverse and rich appearance, then velvet supports it.
Just like linen, this fabric comes in an array of durability levels, depending on whether it can be blended with other fabrics or not.
So, if you are looking for a heavy-duty velvet sofa upholstery, you must have a double rub count of between 15,000 and 30,000+.
The cleaning process is easy. Just regular vacuuming quickly cleans the spills. But ensure that you do not place it directly in sunlight.
Leather
Leather is not a woven fabric, so it cannot be measured by the double rub test.
Other specialized tests are used to assess its resistance to things such as wear and color transfer.
Full-grain leather has very high durability and is best for high-traffic pieces like sofas.
Top-grain leather has medium durability and is ideal for low-traffic pieces like benches.
When it comes to the third quality, bonded leather is the least durable and timeless.
It needs less maintenance as a simple damp cloth cleans the surface.
It is costly and can be susceptible to scratches, so not ideal for pet owners.
It has temperature sensitivity that can feel cold in winter and warm in summer. With too much sun exposure, it can crack.
Care Of Upholstered Furnitures
The sofa upholstery doesn’t need extra efforts when it comes to aftercare.
The user just needs to vacuum it weekly using a soft brush or rotate the cushions to ensure even wear. Additionally, immediately cleaning the spills and spots using less pressure will work.
They need to make sure that the furniture is protected from direct sunlight, as this can allow it to fade.
Connecting with the professional cleaners and getting the sofas deep cleaned annually will make them last longer.
If you have got your sofas design made from Aura Curtains, their aftercare service is the best.
They provide their customers with high-quality aftercare for better maintenance.
Conclusion
With so many options available in fabrics, how will you choose a fabric for your sofa? After you have read about them, you need to check what goes in your favor.
Check out different sites like Aura Curtains, as you need to select something where you will sit and feel home comfortable.
Ensure that once you have selected your fabric, you check for its aftercare, including the washing and drying instructions.
FAQs
Full-grain leather and heavy-duty synthetic materials like tightly woven microfiber and high double-rub-count velvets will last longer.
Microfiber, polyester, and acrylic must be the top picks. They resist stains and are easy to clean.
You must vacuum it weekly using a soft brush and rotate the cushions. Avoid its direct exposure to sunlight and get it deep cleaned professionally once a year.
