Fabrics

There are usually two main objectives to consider when choosing your upholstery fabric. It needs to fit your sense of style and function in a way to suit the way you live. These considerations will have a big impact on your furniture and automobile.

Types of Fabrics

Synthetic Fabrics

Acetate : Developed as imitation silk, acetate can withstand mildew, pilling, and shrinking. However, it offers only fair resistance to soil and tends to wear, wrinkle, and fade in the sun. It's not a good choice for furniture that will get tough everyday use.

Acrylic : This synthetic fiber was developed as imitation wool. It resists wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading. Low-quality acrylic may pill excessively in areas that receive high degrees of abrasion. High-quality acrylics are manufactured to pill significantly less.

Nylon : Rarely used alone, nylon is usually blended with other fibers to make it one of the strongest upholstery fabrics. Nylon is very resilient; in a blend, it helps eliminate the crushing of napped fabrics such as velvet. It doesn't readily soil or wrinkle, but it does tend to fade and pill.

Olefin : This is a good choice for furniture that will receive heavy wear. It has no pronounced weaknesses.

Polyester : Rarely used alone in upholstery, polyester is blended with other fibers to add wrinkle resistance, eliminate crushing of napped fabrics, and reduce fading. When blended with wool, polyester aggravates pilling problems.

Rayon : Developed as an imitation silk, linen, and cotton, rayon is durable. However, it wrinkles. Recent developments have made high-quality rayon very practical.

Vinyl : Easy-care and less expensive than leather, vinyls are ideal for busy family living and dining rooms. Durability depends on quality.

Natural Fabrics

Linen : Linen is best suited for formal living rooms or adult areas because it soils and wrinkles easily. And, it won't withstand heavy wear. However, linen does resist pilling and fading. Soiled linen upholstery must be professionally cleaned to avoid shrinkage.

Leather : This tough material can be gently vacuumed, damp-wiped as needed, and cleaned with leather conditioner or saddle soap.

Cotton : This natural fiber provides good resistance to wear, fading, and pilling. It is less resistant to soil, wrinkling, and fire. Surface treatments and blending with other fibers often atone for these weaknesses. Durability and use depend on the weave and finish.

Wool : Sturdy and durable, wool and wool blends offer good resistance to pilling, fading, wrinkling, and soil. Generally, wool is blended with a synthetic fiber to make it easier to clean and to reduce the possibility of felting the fibers (causing them to bond together until they resemble felt). Blends can be spot-cleaned when necessary.

Cotton Blend : Depending on the weave, cotton blends can be sturdy, family-friendly fabrics. A stain-resistant finish should be applied for everyday use.

Silk : This delicate fabric is only suitable for adult areas, such as formal living rooms. It must be professionally cleaned if soiled.

Fabric considerations

Style : What is the style of furniture you’re buying? Is it contemporary, relaxed, transitional or classic? Some fabrics appear casual and others more formal, so it should suit the frame it’s on. For example, a casual fabric will likely look great on a relaxed piece.
Color : Color is a major factor behind the fabric you choose. First, consider whether the fabric color is considered “warm” or “cool” as it will definitely influence the tone of the room. Think about practicality: lighter colors may not be a great choice if you have pets or small children. If you gravitate towards trendy colors, think about if you will be pleased with your choice after the trend fades.
Pattern : If you are considering a pattern, look at its scale. Patterns should suite the size of the furniture it is covering, and size of the room. Make sure to view your pattern from a distance. Big, bold patterns tend to work better in large rooms, while small, subtle patterns suit smaller rooms.
Durability : You will want the fabric to last for a long time, especially in rooms with high traffic. If it’s going to have heavy use, choose a quality, durable fabric. Tightly woven fabrics with a higher thread count (number of threads per square inch) are generally stronger and more durable.
Fade Resistance : If you anticipate that your furniture will be exposed to a great deal of sunlight, you will want to invest in fade-resistant fabric. Fabrics with a high thread count tend to be more fade resistant.
Fabric Grades : Central Kansas Custom Upholstery's fabric grades are organized and grouped to suit different budgets and needs, and are the result of a combination of several quality and durability factors. Each level has its own benefits. Stop by today to find out which grade level will best suit your individual needs.

Fabric Care

Fabric manufacturers recommend regular dusting and vacuuming. Removable cushions should be fluffed regularly. Soiled areas should be cleaned based on the following cleaning code(s) found on your Palliser product. If cleaning codes are not available, contact your retailer from where you purchased the product.

S — Solvent Cleaner
Vacuum frequently or brush lightly. Spot clean only using mild water-free solvent or dry cleaning product. Pre-test small area before proceeding.

W — Water Based Cleaner
Use water-based cleaning agents.

W/S — Water/Solvent Cleaner
Use water-based cleaning agents or mild, water-free solvents.

X — Vacuum Only
Vacuum or brush lightly. Do not use foam or liquid cleaning agents.

V — Water with Mild Soap
Wash with warm water and mild soap only. Vacuum thoroughly and regularly.