Key features of performance fabrics for sofas
The uses of performance fabrics in today's world are limitless. These fabrics have become a staple in many industries, from athletic clothing to medical uniforms to high-end furniture upholstery. Performance fabrics have been a part of modern society for about 40 years, and there are a variety of reasons why they are so popular.
Today we’re looking at the benefits of performance textiles for furniture, as they’re not only stylish but also functional.
Furnishing fabrics fit for the most demanding rooms of the house
Performance fabrics are perfect for working from home and having kids or pets. This is because they’re easy to clean and maintain, making them perfect for busy families. They’re also mightier in ways you can’t immediately see because they won’t stretch or shrink over time.
This makes performance furnishing fabrics great choices for any room in the house — even the kitchen! Performance fabrics can be used in almost any room of the house, including those that might be seen as being more of a challenge:
- Kitchen - Perfect for curtains, tablecloths, and table runners in the kitchen because they resist stains from oils and food products better than regular cotton or linen fabrics.
- Dining Room - They look fantastic on dining room chairs because they add colour and style while being durable enough to withstand years of wear without wearing out or getting stained by food spills!
- Children's Bedrooms - Great for children's bedrooms because they are easy to wash and clean. There is no need to worry about spills or stains as you can simply toss them in the washing machine and dryer. Performance fabrics also resist stains from markers and crayons so you don't need to worry about marking up your walls when a child gets creative. Because of their high durability, high-performance furnishing fabrics are also ideal for kids' bedrooms where children may be rough on their furniture or bedding.
Performance upholstery: yes, even for outdoor furniture
Performance fabrics have been a staple of the outdoor world for years and are now being brought inside to help reduce energy costs, increase comfort levels and boost the sale of high-end fabrics. Outdoor furnishings can be made with fabrics that are resistant to mould and mildew, as well as bacteria—so you don’t have to worry about dealing with bugs or fungi during the warmer months.
Additionally, upholstery fabrics that are specially designed for outdoor use are particularly suited for humid environments as they resist the build-up of unpleasant smells. FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics are durable, soft to touch and weatherproof—perfect for making cushions or other decorative accessories for your patio furniture.
5 main advantages of high-performance furnishing fabrics
What makes some furnishing fabric high performing when some isn’t? The following are just some of the many reasons why these innovative fabrics are so popular in today’s market:
Key feature 1: performance fabrics can be easier to clean
Performance fabrics are stain and fade resistant, which means they stay looking beautiful even after years of use. They’re also easy to clean, which is one of the main reasons why they have such a good reputation. They also resist pilling and fading when exposed to sunlight or harsh detergents making them much easier to maintain than traditional textiles.
For example, FibreGuard upholstery is stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about red wine or chocolate stains on your couch. It’s also easy to clean; just use water and a mild soap solution to wipe away dirt and grime.
Learn more: Woven to Protect
Key feature 2: performance fabrics are very durable
Performance fabrics are extremely durable and last longer than most other types of upholstery. As well as being stain resistant, they can also withstand physical damage such as rips, tears and burns with ease. This makes them ideal for busy households where there may be children or pets around.
In addition to being strong and durable, performance fabrics also tend to be resistant to stains and wrinkles, making them easier to clean and maintain than other types of upholstery materials. Performance fabrics can withstand heavy wear from children, pets and even spills without wearing out quickly. In fact, many manufacturers claim that their products will last for years — even decades — without needing replacement or repair!
Learn more: Multipurpose fabrics: upholstery, drapery and beyond
Key feature 3: they’re easy to maintain
These materials are low maintenance as they don’t require much care at all! You simply wipe them down with a damp cloth when necessary and that’s it! High performance upholstery fabrics are made from synthetic fibres and contain no natural fibres. This means that they are easier to clean than other types of fabric.
You can wash them in a washing machine without any problems, just make sure to use cold or warm water, but never hot water or bleach because this will damage the fabric. After you have washed your furniture cushions, don’t forget to hang them out in the sun to air dry them as this will help prevent stains from setting in.
Learn more: How to Get More Results Out of Your Performance Fabrics
Key feature 4: comfort is king with these high-level furnishing fabrics
The comfort level of performance fabrics is another factor that makes them popular among consumers. These materials are breathable and allow air flow through them easily, so they don't trap heat like some other types of fabrics might do during the summer months when air conditioning is not available in many homes across America today.
Another benefit of choosing performance fabrics is that they tend not to irritate sensitive skin like more traditional textiles might do. This makes them ideal for people with allergies or other medical conditions that make it difficult for them to tolerate certain types of upholstery materials such as wool or polyester blends.
This is where certifications such as the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® come in. This is a label for textiles and accessories that have been tested for harmful substances: if a textile is certified under this standard, it doesn't contain any harmful substances. It also means that it won't release any toxic finishes into the atmosphere at any stage of its life cycle. The certification system is in many cases more comprehensive and stricter than required by national and international standards.
Explore a comfortable world: What sustainable comfort means to us
Key feature 5: price point and affordability
One of the most important benefits of performance fabrics is that they are very affordable. Performance fabrics can be made from natural or synthetic materials, but the price is still low compared to other types of textiles such as silk and wool. This makes them a great choice for those who want to add some flair to their home interiors without spending too much money on their purchase.
How to tell if your performance fabric is real
Modern performance fabrics come in many different styles including wovens, knits and blends that offer unique designs and patterns to suit any decorating style or personal taste. But how can you be sure that they’ll stand up under pressure?
Some of the mechanical textile tests that high performance upholstery must excel in are:
- MARTINDALE & WYZENBEEK WEAR RESISTANCE (EN 14465, ASTM D4157): This test guarantees they are durable and hard wearing. All of FibreGuard's furnishing fabrics are tested for resistance to wear and abrasion, achieving excellent Martindale and Wyzenbeek results.
- PILLING & BRUSH PILLING (ISO 12945-2, ASTM D 3511): Pilling and brush pilling tests evaluate how the surface of furnishing fabrics will look and perform after prolonged use. At FibreGuard, our team follow this testing method to ensure our fabrics stay looking as good as new for longer.
- COLOUR FASTNESS TO LIGHT (ISO 105-B02): 'Colourfast' fabric are designed to not fade when exposed to light. At FibreGuard we test according to the international standard to ensure the fabric colour maintains its original hue and intensity.
- WASHABILITY (ISO 3759): High performance furnishing fabrics often meet the International Standards Organisation's criteria for evaluating the resilience of textiles to washing. FibreGuard fabrics, for example, are fully washable at a range of temperatures and methods. Our fabrics will retain their original dimension, aspect, stability, colour, and beauty, wash after wash. Please refer to fabric sample for recommended care instructions.
- FIRE RETARDANT (FR) COMPLIANCE: FibreGuard fabrics comply with a range of fire-retardant standards, and there are many of them in force throughout the world such as; CAL 117, FMVSS, NFPA 260, BS58852 source 0, and more. FR compliance varies from brand to brand, and requirements vary from country to country, so please refer to fabric sample for applicable standards.
That’s a wrap
Hopefully the information we've shared will help you better understand the benefits of performance fabrics. They're certainly a great investment, whether we're talking about outdoor furniture or indoor upholstery. And they can prove useful almost anywhere in your home—from the living room to the kitchen and dining area to your patio or deck.
When you consider the flexibility and longer lifespan of performance fabrics, you'll understand the value in the investment. Contact our sales team today for more information on FibreGuard’s fabrics and our Stain Free Technology.