If a cat lives in the house or the acquisition of a pet is still only in the plans, you should think about a very pressing question - how to choose the right upholstery for the sofa and armchairs.
Experienced cat owners know firsthand that the sofa often becomes their favorite habitat, convenient in all respects: you can sleep on it comfortably, and sharpen your grown nails with pleasure!
And even with a lot of luck, when the cat does not make any attempts to deliberately harm the furniture, it is still impossible to completely protect him from walking on the sofa.
Cat and sofa problems
Here are just some of the troubles you will have to face:
- Wool that will constantly cling to the upholstery.
- Spots.
- Scratches and claw marks.
Of course, you can spend a lot of time and nerves to try to wean your pet from even approaching upholstered furniture, but, as practice shows, very few people succeed. There will be little sense from a scratching post, which rarely any cat uses for its intended purpose.
It is much easier to compromise and select the upholstery for the sofa in such a way that it matches your own aesthetic preferences, and at the same time has high performance.
Types of suitable "anti-vandal" fabric
It may seem that it is enough to opt for a strong, sturdy fabric, and the problem will be solved. However, there are many nuances in this matter, and manufacturers offer new designs of fabrics that are not afraid of the claws of pets... Always the owner can not keep track of and.
Such a material has a non-woven texture, that is, there is no interweaving of threads in it. Accordingly, there is simply nothing to leave a clue on!
- Flock or micro velor Is perhaps the most common material among cat lovers. An excellent vandal-proof choice. It can also be called a substitute for velvet, since it has an external resemblance to it, but the technology of its manufacture is completely different. Flock is characterized by high indicators of wear resistance, reliability and strength. In addition, the fabric is impregnated with water and dirt-repellent agents, due to which it is quickly and easily cleaned, does not fade in the sun, does not wrinkle... To make the surface of the sofa look like new, it will be enough to wipe the dirty surface with a damp sponge.
Flock is a reliable and durable material that will be too tough for your cat.
- Faux suede - one of the variants of "anti-cat" upholstery of sofas. The material successfully combines good wear resistance and decorative qualities, since outwardly it differs little from natural suede. This upholstery is easy to clean and does not fade over time.... If there was an impregnation with Teflon protection, then you should not be afraid of water.
If you are looking for "anti-cat" upholstery - faux suede can be a great option!
- Velours- soft fleecy fabric is resistant to different kind mechanical stress, drape in folds and is pleasant to the touch. When impregnated with special agents such fabric is not afraid of neither water nor dirt.
The velor fabric is also maximally protected from mechanical stress, water and dirt.
- Relax – great option upholstery for leather lovers, since the texture of this material is very similar in appearance to it. Thanks to the unique composition of this fabric, it is possible to restore the structure in a matter of seconds after such minor damage as scratches or tightening. With this upholstery material, you can forget about various stains.
Relax is a fabric that resists cat scratches.
If you have a pet, it is best to choose a sofa without wood inserts.
So that the owners of cats do not have any irritation about the damaged furniture, it is necessary not only to choose the fabric for the upholstery correctly, but also to make sure that there is no decorative inserts from natural wood... Otherwise, they will quickly turn into a comfortable cat scratching post.
When choosing furniture, it is worth considering the color of the upholstery., because animals often shed, and even in small quantities, but the wool will certainly accumulate on the sofa. It is better if the color of the furniture matches the color of the animal's fur or mask it to the maximum. In this case, wool, getting on the furniture, will be unnoticeable.
If the color of the sofa matches the color of the cat's fur, that's fine, because the fur on the sofa will become less noticeable.
Video on what furniture to choose if there is a cat in the house:
If it is not possible to purchase furniture with "anti-cat" upholstery, do not be upset. At pet stores you can buy special tool with a citrus aroma (lemon, tangerine, orange), and spray it on the sofa. Cats hate such smells very much, and it is unlikely that processed furniture will be of interest to their claws.
Most buyers perceive furniture upholstery as decorative element, picking it up to the interior of the living room, forgetting about practicality. "Oh, what pretty roses!" - says the customer and pays the money, not thinking that a week later these most beautiful roses will become a victim of the claws of a cat or a dog, and a stain from the cherry juice accidentally spilled by children will forever remain on the light upholstery.
The properties of the upholstery material ultimately affect how long a sofa or chair will last: whether it will be easy to clean, how well the upholstery material resists moisture and dirt, how resistant it is to fading and abrasion - all these questions should be clarified before how to get the wallet.
Types of upholstery fabric
A few technical details: two types of fabrics are used for upholstering furniture - cover and upholstery. The springs and other structural elements of the sofa frame are covered with a covering fabric, the inside of the covers is sewn from it and the inner surfaces of sofas and armchairs are upholstered with it. Usually it is thick burlap or thick cotton fabric.
Upholstery fabric- what is used for external upholstery, the very beauty and practicality that we will talk about. Let's start in order, with the most popular materials.
1. Jacquard
This is the most common material for upholstery of upholstered furniture. Jacquard fabric is composed of a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers. It is very dense, keeps its shape well. Jacquard fabrics are distinguished by a woven relief pattern, most often floral or ornamental. The jacquard manufacturing technology allows you to create patterns with high detail. Depending on the composition and thickness of the threads, the cost of jacquard also varies.
It is easy to care for your jacquard upholstery: small dirt is washed off soapy water, the dust is removed with a vacuum cleaner. For heavy stains - not too aggressive substances for dry cleaning of upholstered furniture.
2. Scotchguard
This is the same jacquard treated with a special water-repellent compound. The impregnation protects the material not only from moisture, but also from dirt, burnout and even from the claws of pets: the scotchguard belongs to the category of anti-vandal fabrics. It is as dense as jacquard and is perfect for all types of furniture. Scotchguard is especially good for fabric frameless furniture.
3. Thermohackard
Relatively new material, which is an ordinary unpainted jacquard with a pattern applied to it. The image is applied by thermal printing: the ink penetrates deep into the fibers, holds well, does not fade or fade. The rest of the characteristics are the same as for ordinary jacquard: durable, dense and practical material.
4. Tapestry
And this is also jacquard, more precisely, one of its varieties. Tapestry is woven from thicker fibers, most often 100% cotton or with a slight addition of synthetics. The weaving of the threads in the tapestry is especially dense, and almost always the tapestry has a complex pattern that resembles a painting. The fabric holds its shape perfectly, but due to the high content of natural fibers, it may fade slightly over time. The tapestry is good for upholstery of small sofas, couches, chaise longues. A big sofa covered with tapestry can look too clumsy.
5. Matting
Due to the checkerboard weave of threads, the matting is very similar in structure to an ordinary burlap. Basically, the matting is woven from natural materials: linen, cotton, silk, wool, but for strength, acrylic or polyester threads are added to the fabric.
The mat is durable, textured and colorful. It is easy to care for: small dirt is removed conventional means for cleaning upholstered furniture (but never use bleach). A vacuum cleaner does an excellent job with dust. But the matting is not very friendly with pets: their claws even accidentally cling well to large weaving and pull the threads. By the way, the author of this article has both a mat-covered sofa and a cat at home. And the sofa is still intact.
6. Chenille
A mixed fabric consisting of cotton and synthetic threads, which are woven in a special way: the threads are first twisted and then intertwined longitudinally and transversely. The material is very strong and dense. The peculiarity of chenille is that one of the synthetic threads is "shaggy", and as a result, the fabric gets a short pile. Due to the hairiness, chenille can be put in the same category with the following velor and flock on our list, but chenille is much cheaper than its furry counterparts.
7. Velor
A fleecy fabric, which is obtained by a complex interweaving of several threads - warp and pile. The qualities and properties of velor depend on the density of the weave: velor can be either dense or “loose”. The material is soft to touch, non-toxic and safe.
As an upholstery for a sofa in a living room, velor is suitable if there are no small children and pets in the house: it is highly susceptible to abrasion and gets dirty easily. But if you still opted for velor upholstery, be prepared for the fact that in 3 - 5 years you will have to change it.
8. Flock
Flock is a fabric with a pile, which is considered one of the varieties of velor. But the technology for making flock is completely different. It is a more synthetic material with a cotton to polyester ratio of 1: 3. Fine nylon fibers are applied to a thin fabric base with an adhesive layer under the action of an electrostatic field. Due to electrostatics, the pile falls on the substrate strictly vertically. The result is a soft, pleasant-to-touch fabric with a perfectly even and thick pile. Flock is durable, waterproof, dirt repellent, easy to clean. It, like Scotch Grass, belongs to the category of “anti-claw” fabrics - the claws of pets cannot damage it.
9. Corduroy
Another fleecy fabric with characteristic scars. Depending on the width of the scar between the pile stripes, micro-corduroy, velveteen with a wide or medium scar are distinguished. Corduroy can be either 100% cotton or with the addition of synthetics (elastane or polyester).
The fabric is capricious, requiring careful care: it cannot be rubbed, wrinkled and squeezed. Dirty stains should only be removed with mild stain removers for natural fabrics. But the capriciousness of corduroy is more than justified by its beauty. The service life of corduroy upholstery is about 5-7 years. Corduroy is very "bald" in places of constant contact.
10. Artificial suede
Faux suede - a mix of polyester and cotton. Often this union is treated with Teflon liquid, which significantly increases strength and wear resistance. Artificial suede has many advantages: it is difficult to distinguish it from the real one, it is not afraid of scratches and creases, does not fade, does not fade and does not rub off. There is nothing to say about the aesthetic side.
There are also disadvantages: it is not suitable for apartments and houses where small children or animals live, it still requires careful handling. Wet cleaning is contraindicated for artificial suede. Dry, delicate cleaning only.
11. Artificial fur
In structure, artificial fur resembles the natural skin of an animal: it consists of a base (soil) and pile. The pile itself, in turn, is made from nylon, viscose or woolen fibers, and to create a better material, several types of threads with similar characteristics are used.
Faux fur is an affordable, sustainable and easy-care material with big amount various colors. It can also be decorated with patterns, geometric patterns, other fabrics, and even rhinestones. Cons: fragility and rapid contamination of synthetic fibers, which actively attract dust.
12. Genuine leather
Luxury upholstery material. IN furniture production for the manufacture of upholstery, pigskin is used, less often goat or horse. There are two types of processing of this material: aniline method and semi-aniline (or complex). Aniline skin is soft and looks very beautiful, but at the same time it is very capricious: it is afraid of moisture, dirt and mechanical damage. Complex processed leather is not so attractive, but it is tougher, thicker, stronger and better withstands all influences.
The lifespan of the skin is practically unlimited, and depends only on how well you take care of it. A special plus is that aged skin does not look worse. On the contrary, over time it acquires a special charm.
13. Artificial leather
This is a fabric on which an elastic film has been applied with a texture and pattern "under the skin". As a base, natural or synthetic fabrics, fabrics with an elastic base are used. Artificial leather keeps its shape perfectly, has water-repellent and dirt-repellent properties. It is not very difficult to take care of it: it is washed with soapy water or products that do not contain too aggressive components.
Among the types of artificial leather for upholstery of upholstered furniture, arpatek, microfiber and artificial suede are used.
- Arpatek. Looks presentable, very similar to natural leather. It is a soft and elastic material. It is durable and unpretentious in care, does not fade and resists mechanical damage well, including the claws of pets
- Microfiber is a material that resembles natural suede in its characteristics and appearance. Thanks to the dense weave of threads and an additionally applied Teflon layer, microfiber is very durable and belongs to the category of "anti-claw"
- Faux suede is a durable fabric base with polyester bristles. Teflon impregnation gives faux suede durability and stain resistance
How to choose upholstery material: a short checklist
So, before you buy material for upholstery, ask yourself a few questions:
- Are you ready to sacrifice practicality for the sake of beauty of the upholstery, and make excessive efforts to care for it?
- Do you have animals at home? If yes - pay attention to the materials of the category "anti-claw": scotchguard, flock, arpatek.
- Will you sleep on your new couch every day? If so, give preference to upholstery with a high content of synthetics: it is stronger.
- Are you buying a sofa or armchairs for the nursery? Remember, it is best for young children to come into contact with natural materials. Choose matting or tapestry.
- Will you constantly use a sofa or chair as a place to relax? If so, choose upholstery that is easy to maintain.
We hope our article will help you find the "very" upholstery for your sofa, armchair or chair that will appeal to all family members.
The sofa is a comfortable place to relax. However, in order for the operation of such furniture to be enjoyable, it is necessary to pay attention to the quality external cladding... Let's try to determine the best material for your sofa upholstery.
Leather
The classic version, ideal for people who are trying to reflect their worth in interior design. Externally, the upholstery can be matte or lacquered, wrinkled, embossed, with printed drawings and without them. The main difficulty here lies in the selection of high-quality leather of a suitable shade.
Such material for upholstery sofas has the following advantages:
- noble appearance;
- a sense of solidity;
- durability;
- easy and quick maintenance.
Among the disadvantages of the material, one can note the gradual cracking and abrasion when choosing insufficient quality leather. The obvious disadvantage for most consumers is the high cost of such a solution.
Cotton
Natural material for harmless, non-toxic. Thanks to these qualities, cotton is ideal for upholstered furniture that will be used in a children's room.
The fabric is easily stained, breathable and absorbs moisture. The only drawback of cotton is its relatively quick wear. Serves material for upholstery sofas on average about 5-7 years, subject to regular use. To make fabrics durable, manufacturers often treat them with special compounds that prevent abrasion and discoloration.
Jacquard
Considering best materials for the upholstery of sofas - which are suitable for these purposes - it should be noted jacquard, which is a fairly dense, high-quality and elegant base.
The material is practically not subject to abrasion, does not fade and therefore retains its original appearance for many years. The weaving here is characterized by a complex, exquisite pattern. Often, silver and gold threads are used as inclusions.
In the manufacture of the highest quality, expensive furniture, such material for upholstery of sofas as stretch jacquard is used. The latter has a breathable effect, perfectly absorbs moisture, which is reflected in the service life of the upholstery. Due to the treatment with special antistatic impregnations, the adhesion of dust and debris to the surface of the material is reduced.
Flock
What is the best material for sofa upholstery? Many experts believe the best option for these purposes, flock fabric, which is not only durable and attractive in appearance, but also environmentally friendly.
Outwardly, flock is a lot like velvet. In terms of composition, the material includes 65% synthetics and 35% natural cotton. The weaving of nylon and nylon pile gives a velvety look to the surface of the fabric.
Such material for the upholstery of sofas looks like the best solution for decorating furniture that will be located in the living room. The fabric is able to withstand any household dirt, and even the sharp claws of pets leave almost no noticeable marks on its surface.
Flock upholstery has the following advantages:
- pleasant to the touch, velvet, soft texture;
- easy care and cleaning;
- there is no burnout effect in the sun;
- resistance to moisture, mechanical damage;
- variety of colors.
However, flock absorbs odors well. Therefore, its use is irrational for the constriction of upholstered kitchen furniture.
Chenille
An extremely common material for upholstery sofas. Has a soft, thick pile, presented in the form harmonious combination synthetic and natural fibers. The fabric is extremely pleasant to the touch and is distinguished by a variety of all kinds of shades.
The use of such a solution allows you to create a feeling of warmth and comfort in the house, to give upholstered furniture an extremely aesthetic look. Chenille is able to maintain its original structure and qualities for decades. Special tests show that the fabric can withstand about 70 million touches. This equates to approximately 50 years of service.
Chenille is easy to clean from dust and dirt. When caring for such upholstery, it is enough to use a conventional vacuum cleaner, a damp sponge and a soft bristled brush.
Silk
Fabrics made from natural silk fibers are rarely used for upholstery of upholstered furniture. Only the most expensive interior items are honored with such a constriction.
Despite its visual fragility, silk is extremely durable. The material has hypoallergenic, bactericidal and antistatic properties. The surface of the fabric is extremely smooth and pleasant to the touch. Silk leaves a pleasant sensation in contact with the skin in any weather - be it hot or cold.
Tapestry
Trying to decide which material to choose for the upholstery of the sofa, Special attention it is worth giving to the tapestry, which has been used for upholstered furniture since the middle of the 14th century. Modern light industry offers the consumer widest assortment such fabric. Tapestry sheathing is strong and durable, it is distinguished by a variety of textures and plots, from a colorful avant-garde to children's motives.
The basis of the material is cotton and woolen threads, supplemented by the use of the latter significantly increases the resistance of the fabric to wear. Like other high quality sofa upholstery materials, tapestry is processed special impregnations that keep it from getting dirty.
The advantages of the fabric are:
- luxurious appearance;
- high tensile and abrasion strength;
- production using natural, environmentally friendly bases (cotton content can be from 40 to 80%).
The main disadvantage of tapestry fabric is that it fade quickly enough in the sun. Therefore, it is recommended to install furniture with such upholstery away from windows.
Arpatek
The fabric was originally developed as an upholstery material for car seats, therefore, has increased abrasion resistance.
Arpatek is unique in its structure, to the touch it resembles soft, thin leather of high-quality manufacture. Such upholstery is difficult to tear, all kinds of mechanical stress. The fabric does not fade in the sun, retains its original shade for a long time, does not stick to the body.
The basis of the material is natural cotton, polyurethane and viscose. Thanks to this composition, the fabric is not afraid of moisture and food contamination.
How to choose optimal material for the upholstery of the sofa? The photos presented in this material allow you to determine the most attractive solutions... However, the decisive role here is played by the practicality of the fabric when used in certain conditions.
To understand what material is best suited for the waist of the selected sofa or chair, you should pay attention to the following points:
- If the upholstered furniture will be used as a sleeping place, it is desirable that the upholstery fabric is at least half of synthetic fibers. This solution will ensure that the upholstery is resistant to wear.
- As external material to stretch the sofa into the nursery, it is worth choosing a natural fabric that is well cleaned and does not require special care. The optimal solution in this situation, chenille looks, as well as cotton treated with protective compounds.
- A sofa in the living room will become a practical means of relaxation in the presence of synthetic - wear-resistant and unpretentious upholstery - upholstery. A good option it looks like flock, leatherette, arpatek.
- When choosing an upholstery for a sofa, which is installed in the hall, you should pay attention to natural leather, since in this case it is not so much the performance of the material that is of decisive importance, but the respectable appearance.
Eventually
When deciding on the nature of upholstery for upholstered furniture, it is necessary to decide what qualities of the fabric are of value in the existing conditions, whether it is practicality, safety, appearance, ease of maintenance, etc. Choose The best decision for interior decoration will allow a comparison of the characteristics of the above materials. But only practice will show how good this or that upholstery is.
Owners of fluffy pets are familiar with the problem when a cat or dog scratches the upholstery of the sofa with sharp claws. Sometimes animals manage to tear the upholstery together with foam rubber, and then the sofa takes on an extremely unpresentable look. Of course, no one is going to get rid of their favorites because of this, however, measures must be taken.
Otherwise, all upholstered furniture in the house can turn into spoiled. This problem has an excellent way out - to purchase a sofa with anti-vandal upholstery. This is one of the recent scientific developments that gives fabrics unique properties and resistance to scratching with sharp objects. In the article, we will consider in detail the features of anti-vandal fabric, we will tell you what it is, we will find out the manufacturers of this wonderful material, as well as the approximate prices for it.
Peculiarities
Let's find out what characteristics allow us to name this material"Anti-vandal".
Extremely high wear resistance. Anti-vandal upholstery is very difficult, almost impossible to damage anything. The fabric is not rubbed with time. Ugly characteristic bald spots will not form on your sofa over the years in those places where they sit most often.
Even sharp cat claws cannot damage this upholstery. Therefore, you can enjoy communicating with your beloved pet without fear of expensive furniture.
On video vandal-proof fabric for the sofa from cats
Anti-vandal fabric is stain resistant. It repels dirt, grease and is water-repellent. Such unique properties are usually provided by a special Teflon impregnation of the material.
Views
As an anti-vandal, in principle, you can consider any sufficiently dense or smooth fabric - one where the cat will not be able to catch its claw. What types of upholstery materials can we classify as anti-vandal.
The so-called "relaxation"... This is one of the latest developments, represents artificial material polymer-based.
The anti-vandal relax fabric can be washed, it has especially high strength characteristics.
Suede of artificial origin looks extremely elegant, noble and “expensive” in a finished product.
The special material "anti-claw" is made in such a way that the claws of the animal, when trying to scratch, slide off it, leaving no traces. After several attempts, as a rule, the cat's interest in the sofa disappears completely.
More properties of the fabric:
- "Anti-claw" is a very dense material, due to which it practically does not wear out and serves for a long time.
- The fibers of the fabric are often intertwined, which ensures its density and strength, and resistance to deformation.
- The material, despite the anti-vandal artificial impregnation, "breathes", which allows you to provide the proper microclimate.
- The surface is pleasant to the touch, it is comfortable to sit on such a sofa.
- A variety of different colors allows you to choose an anti-vandal coating for any interior. In whatever style the apartment is decorated, even in the most intricate one, there is also a suitable upholstery material in this case.
Flock "anti-claw"
For the most part in the category of fabrics "anti-claw" there are various types of flock with a smooth texture. The structure of this material is dense, inside - a smooth base, outside - pile. The claw of an animal cannot do any damage to the pile, and it simply slides off the smooth surface of the base of the material. It is not possible to set a hold or break the fabric.
Flock category "anti-claw"- fabric obtained not by weaving, but by special bonding and the subsequent application of the pile by the method of static electricity. The technology is quite complex and provides reliable protection fabrics from the sharp claws of a pet. This material can be washed and dry cleaned.
The composition of the anti-vandal flock is as follows: 35% cotton, 65% polyester. The pile is nylon. The material "breathes", having high level breathability. Since the basis of the material is cotton, the air circulates perfectly without encountering obstacles.
The surface of the fabric is water-repellent. Even if you accidentally spill something on the sofa, the water will collect in a drop, not instantly absorbing into the upholstery. During this time, it can be easily collected and removed.
An important advantage is that the fabric is able to maintain the brightness of its color almost all the time of use. It does not fade, does not fade in the sun, does not lose its decorative qualities. At the same time, the colors of the anti-vandal flock can be any - from light gentle to rich and bright.
Manufacturers and prices
Which of the modern manufacturers can offer us a high-quality anti-vandal coating at an optimal cost.
Estimated cost for the most common anti-vandal fabrics.
Galaxy
This is an excellent anti-vandal microfiber with Teflon impregnation. The colors are mostly neutral, pleasing to the eye. Slightly vintage shades are suitable for classic interiors in traditional style... Microfiber is very pleasant to the touch. Cost - 1107 rubles / m.
Anti-claw
Flock anti-vandal material. The material is very pleasant to the touch, the colors are delicate, pastel, classic, mainly of light colors.
Flock "anti-claw" is impregnated with Teflon composition, thanks to which it has unique performance properties... Price - 790 rubles / m.
Verona
Teflon material, durable and resistant to damage. There are bright colors, beautiful and cheerful. Cost - 890 rubles / m.
Panda
In this case, an anti-vandal velor of the highest category is presented. A very beautiful palette of colors - from light, delicate to bright, catchy. Cost - 740 rubles / m.
Any type of anti-vandal material requires its own special care. All operating conditions, washing, cleaning are on the product tag. Pay special attention to this when making a purchase.
Velor upholstery is usually washable even at 60 degrees. And if the cover is not removable, then the velor is well cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Flock upholstery requires careful handling, as its glue base can suffer from too intensive wet cleaning.
Also read about a set of covers for a sofa and armchairs.
On video upholstery fabric anti-claw for sofas:
Attention: we advise you not to rely entirely on anti-vandal fabric if the animal in the house is not even equipped with a scratching post. In this case, the cat has no choice - and it will periodically return to the sofa. And sooner or later it will be able to spoil even specially processed upholstery. Therefore, it is better to purchase a special device for the animal, where she can sharpen her claws to her heart's content.
When buying a sofa, the question arises which fabric of the sofa upholstery is better to choose, because the life of the sofa will depend on its quality.
Choosing the right upholstery fabric primarily depends on how you plan to use the sofa. Here are some examples.
Living room sofa fabric... If the sofa is to be used as a place to sit and relax, for example, then first of all the upholstery of such a sofa must be resistant to dirt and mechanical stress. Who does not like to eat while sitting on the couch at the TV screen, but here it is simply - distracted by a match or a favorite TV show and "OPS" - a piece of cutlet with ketchup instead of a mouth was sent to the upholstery of the sofa. And friends with beer and fish, and a beloved cat or dog. Everyone wants to stain your favorite sofa, it's good when the fabric is not afraid of it. For intense loads, fabrics made of synthetic fibers are well suited. They are easy to clean and do not absorb odors and dirt.
Sofa upholstery fabric for sleeping... Another example of using a sofa is a sofa for organizing a sleeping place. Such a sofa is not used as intensively as a sofa from the living room, and therefore, for its upholstery, criteria that ensure a comfortable rest and sleep are more important. The fabric of the sofa for sleeping is preferable from natural materials, or at least in the composition of the upholstery fabric, natural fibers should be at least 50%. Flock fabric is not bad for a sleeping sofa. It does not lint and does not cause allergies, keeps its shape well and is suitable for daily use.
Fabric for the sofa in the nursery... The fabric of a children's sofa should be resistant to intense dirt. Toddlers like to improvise - paints and glue and a turtle with a hamster on the sofa are used here, But besides being resistant to dirt, the fabric should not cause allergies, and, if possible, be natural. Cotton is often used as upholstery on children's sofas. True, all natural fabrics do not tolerate dirt well. As a way out, you can treat a sofa made of natural fabric with a special protective Teflon impregnation.
Fabric for upholstery sofa in kitchen-dining room ... The upholstery of such a sofa should not absorb kitchen odors; it should be easy to clean and repel grease and dirt. Faux leather upholstery will cope well with this task. Fabrics with absorbent surfaces are contraindicated for kitchens.
I hope the principle of choosing the best fabric has become clear to you.
How to properly assess the quality of fabric for upholstery sofa
From qualitative concepts - good fabric or not very much I will move on to a more important one - a quantitative assessment system.
There are generally accepted characteristics by which you can judge the quality of the fabric of the sofa. The fabrics are tested by specialized independent companies. The result of their tests is digital indicators of various characteristics of tissues.
Manufacturers of fabrics usually indicate the parameters of tests of their products in the quality passport. When buying, you can ask the seller for it.
I will not dwell on the test methods in detail, but will only give their results. I have collected the data into a small table
The main characteristics of fabrics that affect their performance
| Fabric characteristic | unit of measurement | Badly | Average | Good | Excellent |
| Wear resistance-determines the abrasion resistance of the fabric. In the test, the fabric is rubbed in a circular motion. Often in fabric passports, this indicator is called the Martindale test. | number of revolutions | ≥ 15 000 | ≥ 20 000 | ≥ 30 000 | ≥ 40 000 |
| Density of fabric - the indicator is very important. Determines the number of threads in the fabric per centimeter. The higher the density of the fabric, the higher the quality it is. | gram per square meter | less than 200 | 200-300 | 350-400 | more than 450 |
| Rolling (pilling) determines the formation of pellets on the fabric. In the test, the fabric is subjected to tight abrasion and is evaluated after 5000 revolutions. | pilling scale from 1 to 5 | 1 point | 2 points | 3-4 points | 5 points |
| Seam strength. Ability of seams to withstand tensile stress. The sewn pieces of fabric are stretched. | stretch in mm. | ≥ 7 mm. | 5-6 mm. | 3-4 mm. | 1-2 mm. |
| Tensile and tensile strength of fabric... Characterizes the force that must be applied to tear the tissue when stretched to the sides | force (in N) and tissue elongation in% | 350 N more than 80% | 350 N 60-70% | 350 N 45-50% | 350 N less than 40% |
| Color fastness to friction... Determines the ability of a fabric to retain color when rubbed dry and wet | friction scale from 1 to 5 | 1 point | 2 points | 3-4 points | 5 points |
| Color fastness to light... The ability of fabrics to retain color when exposed to sunlight | light scale from 1 to 8 | 1 point | 2-3 points | 4 points | ≥ 5 points |
| Color fastness to dry cleaning... Characterizes the ability of a fabric to retain color when dry cleaned | scale from 1 to 5 | 1 point | 2-3 points | 4 points | 5 points |
| Fire resistance of fabric is her ability to resist open fire... The higher the number, the better. Keep in mind that fire resistance classes are in order from 1 - best to 5 worst. | Class | Grade 5 | 4th grade | 2-3 classes | 1 class |
I would also like to highlight Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified... This is a European certificate that is issued only in the absence of harmful substances prohibited in the European Union in the fabrics. The presence of a certificate indicates environmental safety fabrics
Now you can evaluate the quality of fabric for a sofa using a system of characteristics and can compare different fabrics between themselves.
You can proceed to the consideration of upholstery fabrics and their properties.
Before the review, I want to draw your attention to the fact that and depends on the type and quality of the upholstery fabric. After all, the fabric, along with the filler, helps to keep this shape.
Chenille
The name of the fabric comes from the name of the thread that is part of the fabric. Chenille ("chenille" - French caterpillar). The thread looks like a furry caterpillar, has a soft rounded surface. Chenille yarn, for the production of fabric, is made by twisting dense threads with a chenille thread .. As a result, an inextensible thread is obtained, which determines the properties of the future fabric. Chenille has a complex composition (natural and synthetic fibers), about 50% cotton, 50% synthetics. Chenille fabric with split pile is very dense and durable. The pile of the fabric can be combed on a special machine.
Chenille can have two types of stems:
- Fabric base- such a base is moisture resistant and can withstand wet cleaning. The disadvantage of such a base is that it is not recommended to sleep on it all the time. Chenille with a fabric base from long-term stress can wrinkle and lose shape.
- Glued base- such a base is afraid of wet cleaning. Due to water, such a fabric can deform, and after cleaning, the fabric will dry for a very long time.
Chenille's virtues
- It has high wear resistance due to the presence of synthetic fibers.
- In terms of environmental properties, it is close to natural fabrics.
- Dust from chenille upholstery can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner, soft brush or sponge
Disadvantages of chenille
- Disadvantages include not being rich color range fabrics, although quite acceptable for a moderate interior.
- When buying, it is very difficult to find out what is the basis of the selected chenille. As a result, you can buy a fabric that is not suitable for your purposes.
- The fabric does not tolerate the effects of the claws of pets - the threads can be pulled out
Mat
The mat is a dense fabric with a fine texture. Usually monochromatic. The characteristic difference of the mat is the presence of thick fibers and rather coarse weaving of threads. The fabric has increased elasticity and for a long time absolutely does not wrinkle, perfectly keeps its shape. Caring for the mat is simple, there is no need to use special solutions and other means.
Advantages of matting
- High strength and wear resistance
- Ease of care
Disadvantages of matting
- Weak color gamut
Velours
Velvety, pleasant to the touch, soft fabric. The pile can be positioned vertically throughout the fabric or smoothed to one side in some areas. The pile is trimmed with embossing, combed according to a stencil or laid in the form of various patterns, therefore velor can be smooth, shaped, embossed, etc. Cotton and woolen velors are used for upholstery of upholstered furniture.
Advantages of velor
- Ease of care of this fabric is achieved through the use of high-tech fibers with anti-static and anti-allergenic properties.
- Velor has a very high abrasion threshold, any dirt can be easily removed from the surface of the fabric, which allows this fabric to be used for many years.
Disadvantages of velor
- High price
- Low resistance to mechanical point loads. Animal claws, pricks, etc.
Flock (substitute for velvet)
This is an upholstery fabric with a polyester and cotton backing (usually 35% cotton, 65% synthetic), on which the pile is electrostatically applied. First, a canvas is made of cotton thread of a rare plain weave ("mesh"). It is impregnated with glue and stretched in an electromagnetic field, where pile is sprayed onto it. The result is a pile fabric of neutral white... Then the fabric is dyed by printing.
Flock advantages
- Keeps the shape constant
- Easy to clean.
- Good light fastness
- It has water repellent properties
- Has a dense structure
- Good anti-static properties - dust-resistant
- Durability of paint; brightness of colors
- Health safety.
Teflon flock (courtesan)
Modern type of upholstery fabric. Refers to fabrics of a new generation. The fibers of the fabric have Teflon protection at the molecular level. Thanks to the presence of Teflon, the courtesan tolerates dirt very well. easy to clean. One of the qualities of this fabric is its good stability to the claws of pets. If you have animals in your house, take a closer look at the Teflon flock sofas.
Tapestry
One of those natural upholstery fabrics. The tapestry is distinguished by the correct interweaving of yarn with a figure or ornamental composition and many different shades and colors. The tapestry is practical, durable, and pleasant to the touch. The ability of the fabric to take almost any form, its plasticity, allow it to be used everywhere: on upholstered furniture, chairs, walls, in various decorative elements.
Advantages of tapestry
- Naturalness
- Attractive appearance
Disadvantages of tapestry
- Low resistance to intense loads
- Does not tolerate wet and intensive cleaning
- High price
Jacquard
o Fabric with a complex pattern of a large report (vertical and horizontal repetition of the pattern). This is achieved by weaving the longitudinal and transverse warp threads in a predetermined order. According to the composition of the raw material, the fabric can be homogeneous or mixed, for example, polyester with viscose, cotton or acrylic. Jacquard is one of the most expensive fabrics. Such fabrics are very strong and durable, not whimsical to use. Jacquard is used to upholster expensive furniture.
The advantages of jacquard
- Has high strength and durability.
- Has a wide range of colors. Looks expensive and exclusive
Disadvantages of jacquard
- The high price of the material. You have to pay for beauty.
- The fabric does not like intensive cleaning. Due to diligence during cleaning, the fabric may discolor.
Thermojackard and Scotchguard
These upholstery are refined jacquards.
Thermojacquard obtained by thermal dyeing of jacquard. The pattern is transferred to the primary tissue under the influence of high temperature. The result is a stable fabric surface.
Scotchguard it is a jacquard covered with a transparent impregnation, which creates a protective film on the fabric, protecting it from dirt and wear, while retaining all the aesthetic charm of jacquard. Scotchguard works well on sofas with very heavy use, such as a sofa in a living room.
Boucle
The boucle fabric looks like a sheared lamb. Boucle translated from French means curl. Characteristic feature this tissue is the presence of dense nodules protruding on the surface of the tissue. The fabric has original decorative view... Especially decorative effect is achieved through the use of threads different color... Boucle is a fairly durable material.
The virtues of boucle
- Original appearance
- Low price
Disadvantages of boucle
- Afraid of sharp objects. Contact may result in puffs on the fabric.
- Because of porous surface the fabric is quite easily soiled
- In case of contamination, it is required to immediately remove the stains with a clean cloth and mild soap;
- It is not recommended to rub the stains, it is necessary to get wet, then (if necessary) treat with soapy water with a soft sponge and blot again with a clean cloth.
A natural skin
Genuine leather is the main facing material for the manufacture of high quality, "prestigious" upholstered furniture.
Advantages of genuine leather
- Prestigious appearance.
- Effective and durable in operation.
- Durable, not afraid of prolonged loads
- Easy to clean.
Disadvantages of genuine leather
- High price
- And perhaps the fact that it is not very comfortable to sit on a leather sofa without clothes.
Artificial leather (leatherette, leatherette)
Material with one-sided monolithic or porous PVC coating on cotton and polyester knitted bases. Artificial leather is not inferior in operational characteristics natural leather, a fairly wear-resistant material intended for both household furniture and furniture in public spaces.
Advantages of artificial leather
- High resistance to dirt and stress.
- The surface does not absorb odors and dirt
- Cleans well
Disadvantages of artificial leather
- Solid colors
- Afraid of the sun's rays and high temperatures
- It is not comfortable to sit without outerwear, especially in the heat and cold
Eco leather
This type of fabric is very similar to natural leather, and is not inferior to it in terms of environmental friendliness.
This material is obtained by applying porous polyurethane to a base of dense cotton fabric. The result is a fabric that is resistant to wear and temperature with a breathable surface that allows air to pass through well, which contributes to its impeccable environmental friendliness.
The surface texture resembles natural leather both in appearance and in tactile sensations. The only significant difference is the price. Eco-leather is several times cheaper than natural leather.
Arpatek
This material was originally developed for car seat upholstery.
Arpatek belongs to the category of artificial leather. The fabric has unique characteristics light fastness, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, and feels like perfectly finished leather. The materials for the manufacture of arpatek are viscose, cotton and polyurethane in proportions of 42% -33% -25%.
Microfiber (artificial or furniture suede)
A modern analogue of natural suede. Introduced in 1976 in Japan, the fabric has a low pile surface and a structure composed of many micro pores. Due to micro pores, the fabric has high strength and performance characteristics.
Typically, microfiber is coated with Teflon to create protective film on the surface of the fabric, which gives it good characteristics resistance to abrasion and stress. The material does not fade, repels dirt and grease.
Microfiber is perfect for sofas with heavy loads - in the living room or children's rooms
Cotton
Natural material. It dyes well and breathes. The main disadvantage of cotton can be considered its short service life. To improve the characteristics of cotton, manufacturers coat it with an impregnation that prevents paint wiping and premature wear. Cotton is most often used for children's sofas. First of all, an environmentally friendly and child-friendly material, and a short service life will require replacement along with the changed needs of an older child. A sofa for growth.
Well, now Go for it!