Stain resistant fabrics: 7 designer questions answered

Let's face it - choosing the right fabric for your design projects can be tricky. When your clients want something that looks great but can also handle real life (think coffee spills and kids with sticky fingers), you need to know what you're looking for in stain resistant upholstery.

We've put together the 7 most important questions you should ask when picking out these fabrics. Whether you're designing a busy restaurant that'll see thousands of customers, a family home where pets rule the roost, or anything in between, these tips will help you make choices that'll make both you and your clients happy.

By getting clear on these key points, you can avoid those "I wish I had known that before" moments and pick fabrics that will look good and hold up over time. Let's dig into the questions that'll help you make the right choice for your project.

Q: What kinds of design projects are a good fit for FibreGuard?

From busy hotels to cosy family homes, FibreGuard fabrics deliver exceptional stain resistance wherever they're used.

Our innovative protection technology is embedded at the molecular level of each fiber, ensuring lasting performance while maintaining the fabric's natural softness and breathability.

You'll find FibreGuard performing beautifully across a wide range of applications - whether it's restaurant seating that sees hundreds of guests daily, hotel lobby upholstery that needs to stay pristine, or residential pieces like sofas, headboards, and decorative pillows that face the rigors of family life. Check out our full range of applications and case studies.

Q: What can I expect from FibreGuard on furniture in high-traffic contract spaces?

FibreGuard fabrics are specifically engineered to withstand the demands of high-traffic environments.

The permanent stain-resistant technology maintains its effectiveness regardless of wear, making it an excellent choice for both commercial spaces like hotels, restaurants, and offices, as well as busy residential settings.

We've ensured this as all FibreGuard fabrics undergo numerous textile tests in independent laboratories to ensure that they’re durable, reliable, and of consistent quality. Learn more about our testing.

Q: Are FibreGuard fabrics' easy clean properties permanent?

Our guarantee that FibreGuard fabrics are permanently easy to clean with no topical treatments necessary. We developed an extra testing level as a bespoke project together with Labotex, an independent, fully-accredited textiles laboratory.

Bear in mind that when we say, ‘the stain’, we mean a variety of stains, and by ‘the fabric’, we mean an entire range of fabric characteristics.

1. A ‘direct’ test is our first line of FibreGuard testing: our textile engineers apply the stain to a fresh fabric and remove immediately.
2. The second FibreGuard-specific test is really special. Unique in the industry, it focuses on time: do the stain-resistant properties still perform after a stain has soaked into the fabric for 24 hours?
3. Thirdly, fabrics are tested when they have already been washed to see if the stain-resistant properties are still as strong as ever.
4. The third test takes this washing durability test to the max: what if the stain is applied to fabric that has been washing repeatedly, ten times even: do the stain-resistant properties still perform?

Read more about mechanical textiles testing and our fabrics.

Q: Are FibreGuard's upholstery fabrics eco friendly? What about PFCs or VOCs?

Our focus at FibreGuard is to be what we call ‘life-friendly.’ This means creating fabrics that make life easier through performance, while also being safe for human health and the environment. Learn more.

Our commitment to safety isn't just a promise—it's verified by some of the most rigorous standards in the industry. Let’s look at some third-party certifications that ensure our claims are trustworthy.

• All FibreGuard fabrics are certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100® to be free of harmful levels of over 300 substances, including PFAS.
• Fabrics with the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification are also tested for Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. If you’d like to do a deep dive on the updated 2023 criteria for this certification, check out this in-depth overview.
• Our performance fabrics also comply fully with the strict chemical regulations of the EU's REACH program.

Q: How are FibreGuard fabrics so easy to clean?

FibreGuard fabrics feature an advanced easy-clean technology that allows most stains to be removed using just water and a mild soap solution.

The fabric's unique construction prevents spills from penetrating deeply into the fibres, making cleanup simple and effective. This easy maintenance approach helps maintain the fabric's appearance while reducing the need for harsh cleaning chemicals.

Q: How does the stain resistance affect the fabric's texture and appearance?

Unlike traditional stain-resistant treatments that can leave fabrics feeling stiff or artificial, FibreGuard's innovative technology preserves the natural characteristics of the fabric, such as its intended texture, drape, and visual appeal.

Our fabrics come in a wide range of textures, patterns, and colours, proving that high performance doesn't mean compromising on design. Whether you're looking for luxurious velvets, crisp textured designs, or plush chenilles, each fabric retains its distinctive characteristics while offering superior stain protection. This means you can confidently specify FibreGuard fabrics for even your most style-conscious clients.

Q: What's the maintenance routine and cleaning protocol?

Maintaining FibreGuard fabrics is extremely straightforward, which adds to their appeal for both residential and commercial applications. For regular maintenance, simple vacuuming or light brushing helps keep the fabric looking fresh and prevents dust accumulation.

When it comes to dealing with spills and stains, our four-step cleaning process makes maintenance effortless:

1. For stains like mud, ketchup, lipstick or silly putty, you’ll need to get a teaspoon. Remove any stain residue with the edge of the teaspoon or a flat utensil.
2. Apply water to the stain and blot using a white paper towel. Blotting instead of rubbing is really important, because rubbing with paper towels will just rip your paper towel and grind the fibres from it into your fabric. Repeat the process until you can’t see the stain on the paper towel anymore.
3. Apply more water to the area and rub with gentle circular movements with a microfibre cloth. Use soap for stubborn stains. Any white bar of soap will do, whatever you have in the house.
4. Air dry. This is really important. Don’t use a hairdryer or apply heat to the stain in any way. Just air dry. It’s fine.

Unlike many other performance fabrics, there's no need for harsh chemical cleaners or specialized cleaning products. This simple maintenance routine helps preserve the fabric's appearance and extends its lifespan, making it an ideal choice for spaces that need to look beautiful with minimal upkeep.

Where can I buy FibreGuard fabrics?

FibreGuard has a global presence, everywhere from the USA to Europe to Australia, the Middle East and South East Asia. Looking to purchase FibreGuard fabrics for your furniture? Browse our digital fabric textures for free on the TwinBru platform! You can find the FibreGuard digital twin collection here.

Find a design you like? You can order free fabric samples from TwinBru as well.