Are you looking for a new upholstered piece for your home, or trying to learn how to best care for the pieces you already have? The upholstery fabric you choose for your home plays a major role not only in the appearance of a room, but also the longevity of your furnishings. Each fabric type has its own strengths— along with unique cleaning and maintenance requirements.
Without the right maintenance, even the most durable upholstery fabrics can show early signs of wear. Stains and soils are not only unsightly, but they also reduce the lifespan of your furnishings. That’s why proper care— especially when it comes to upholstery cleaning— is essential. Some spills can be handled with a DIY upholstery cleaner, but many fabrics require a more delicate or even professional approach.
This blog will walk you through the most common upholstery fabric types and how to care for them— from delicate rayon and luxurious mohair fabric to durable synthetic fabrics like polyester and acrylic. We’ll also share what cleaning methods to avoid, and when to call in a professional upholstery cleaner.
Understanding upholstery fabric
Choosing the right upholstery fabric for your home goes beyond just aesthetics— so let’s analyze the most common upholstery fabric and see what characteristics make them unique.
Cotton
Known for its breathability and softness, cotton is comfortable but can be prone to cellulosic browning when exposed to moisture. Cotton can be professionally cleaned very effectively but is often best suited for low-traffic areas unless treated with a fabric protector spray.
Linen
Linen is a popular choice for a crisp, elegant look. While beautiful, linen wrinkles easily and has poor resiliency. Linen is very cleanable, but can be sensitive to moisture and spot cleaning, so it’s best cared for by a professional upholstery cleaner.
Wool
Durable and cozy, wool is extremely resilient— making it a great option for family-friendly spaces. Being renewable and biodegradable, wool is an excellent fabric for those seeking sustainable interior design solutions. Wool is especially effective at hiding soils, so frequent vacuuming is vital.
Polyester
Common in pet friendly furniture and performance fabrics, polyester is highly durable and resists wrinkles and fading. It holds up well to upholstery cleaning and is great for high-use areas and outdoor furnishings due to its resilience.
Velvet
Velvet is a popular choice to add richness and texture to your design. It’s a woven tufted fabric that can be made up of numerous fibers and blends— cotton, rayon and silk are most prominent in luxury furnishings. The fiber type that makes up velvet will dictate how to properly care for it. Velvet fabrics can show pile distortion when used frequently and be delicate to clean— especially if it’s rayon velvet.
Rayon & Viscose
These manmade cellulosic fibers have a beautiful, luxurious sheen to them. But beware— they’re extremely difficult to repair if they get wet which can lead to shrinking, yellowing and pile distortion. Rayon fabric and viscose fabric should never be over-wetted and must be professionally cleaned with care.
Mohair
What is mohair? A luxury natural fiber derived from the Angora goat. Mohair fabric is lustrous, durable, flame-resistant, and usually seen as a velvet. Like wool, mohair is effective at hiding soils, so be sure to vacuum frequently.
upholstery fabric cleaning tips
Each upholstery fabric type responds differently to wear and tear, cleaning products, and environmental factors. A cleaning method that works well on polyester may cause water stains or shrinkage on linen or rayon. That’s why knowing what fabric you’re working with— and how to treat it properly— is essential when it comes to upholstery cleaning.
Cellulosic Fibers
Cotton and linen are popular for their breathability and soft texture but are highly absorbent and prone to browning with moisture— meaning improper wet-cleaning can cause more harm than good.
- Vacuum frequently to prevent dust and soil buildup.
- If a spill occurs, immediately blot (do not rub!) with a white cloth.
- When spot cleaning, always test the products in an inconspicuous area beforehand.
- If stains/soiling still persist, contact a professional upholstery cleaner for more specialized care. Overworking a spot can damage the fibers.
Animal Fibers
Wool and mohair upholstery fabrics are naturally resilient, but they can still be sensitive to moisture, head and agitation.
- Vacuum frequently to prevent dust and soil buildup.
- Gently brush fabrics with an upholstery brush to prevent matting and keep them looking fresh.
- Blot spills as soon as possible when they occur.
- Do not use steam cleaning or hot water cleaning methods— they can cause the fibers to shrink.
- Always test products and methods in an inconspicuous area before spot cleaning. Dry-cleaning methods are recommended before wet-cleaning.
Manmade Cellulosic Fibers
Viscose and rayon fabric have a silky sheen and have a luxurious feel, but they’re the most delicate upholstery fabric type to deal with.
- Vacuum and use an upholstery brush to maintain a fresh appearance.
- Gently blot with a white rag if spills occur— rubbing or blotting too hard can degrade the fibers since they weaken when wet.
- We do not recommend trying to clean viscose or rayon fabric yourself due to its delicate nature. Instead, hire a professional upholstery cleaner that has experience with viscose and rayon to perform any cleaning needed.
Synthetic Fibers
Polyester, acrylic, and nylon all fall under the synthetic fiber category, which is more resistant to wear and moisture than any other upholstery fabric type. Their durability allows for deeper cleaning with much less risk of damaging the fibers.
- Damp dust and vacuum regularly to freshen up fabrics.
- Blot spills rather than rubbing to avoid damaging the fibers or spreading the spot.
- Spot clean with a mild water-based upholstery cleaner but always test beforehand.
- Synthetic fibers can often tolerate hot water extractions although you should consult an upholstery cleaning professional to assess the fabric beforehand.
Velvet
Velvet can be made from many different fiber types, but they all have a pile that requires additional care.
- Gently vacuum and blot spills when they occur— velvet can be easily distorted, especially when wet spills are left unchecked.
- Use a velvet brush to maintain the appearance of pile.
- Many velvet types require dry-cleaning methods.
- Hire a professional upholstery cleaner if any deep cleaning is needed, as wetting can ruin the appearance of the fabric.
Fabric protection for upholstery fabric
Whether you have rayon fabric, mohair fabric or anything in between, it is important to give your luxurious upholstery fabrics the care they deserve. Protecting furniture starts with knowing when to clean and maintain your fine furnishings.
Before attempting new upholstery cleaning methods, we strongly recommend calling Fiber-Seal. We are happy to guide you on the best cleaning methods or schedule a professional upholstery cleaner to come out. Fiber-Seal offers fabric care plans that include fabric protection services and upholstery cleaning services. Whether you’re dealing with spills, pets, kids or just everyday wear— we strive to keep your furnishings looking fresh and clean for years to come.
