So, you are shopping for a slipcover.
And you have just read all about fabric durability so you have some idea of qualities that are important to consider when choosing the best material for slipcovers. (If not, check out my article on upholstery fabric durability ratings.)
If you’ve read “Upholstery Fabric Durability Ratings” or are familiar with U.S. textile labeling requirements, you’ll know that wear characteristics – which would be useful to know when choosing your slipcover – won’t be stated on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) labels.
And given that you will most likely be purchasing your slipcover online, you also won’t have the opportunity to examine your slipcover first-hand before purchasing it.
That makes choosing the slipcover that will perform best, last the longest, and resist damage a little tough!
But there’s a way around this.
In this article we are going to identify the fabric types that measure up when evaluated based on durability characteristics such as abrasion resistance, colorfastness, stain resistance, shape retention, thread count, weave tightness, and susceptibility to pilling.
And because you will be able to determine the fiber content of any textile sold in the U.S. – thank you FTC – you will then be able to apply these assessments of fabric durability and determine what is the best material for slipcovers … or, more importantly, what is the best material for your slipcover.
In this article: Abrasion Resistant Fabrics Colorfast Fabrics Stain Resistant Fabrics Fabrics that Retain Their Shape High Thread Count Fabrics Tightly Woven Fabrics Fabrics that Resist Pilling Conclusion • A summary of findings.
So, you need to cover your couch.
You want a slipcover that both looks good and lasts, so you care about fabric durability.
And because your couch gets what is euphemistically referred to as “heavy duty use,” it should be covered in a fabric that protects against stains and damage.
But how do you evaluate durability characteristics when it comes to choosing the best material for slipcovers?
The best way – and only way, really – is to consider the general performance of different types of fabric according to each measure of durability.
Let’s do so now.
Abrasion Resistant Fabrics
Abrasion resistance measures a fabric’s resistance to natural wear using rub tests, principally the Wyzenbeek test (if in North America) or the Martindale test (if in Europe).
Within the textile industry, it is generally agreed upon that fabric with a Wyzenbeek rating of over 15,000 double rubs or a Martindale rating of greater than 25,000 cycles is suitable for heavy duty residential use – suitable for the favorite family couch, that is.
High double rub count fabrics can be woven from both natural and synthetic materials.
And while you won’t be able to learn a fabric’s Wyzenbeek rating from an FTC label, textiles such as leather, vinyl, denim, canvas, twill, and microfiber can all achieve durable Wyzenbeek double rub counts of over 15,000.
What is microfiber? Microfiber fabrics are synthetic textiles that are fabricated by weaving ultra-fine polyester-nylon fibers. Before the fabric is woven the microfibers themselves must be produced. The process of microfiber production typically involves fusing polyester and nylon together using heat. Polyester, with its high tensile strength, forms the core of most microfibers while nylon gives the fiber bulk and absorbency. Microfibers are used to create a variety of textiles. These textiles are used not only as upholstery, but also in other household furnishings, cleaning products (such as mopheads, washcloths, and carwash mits), apparel, and even in industrial filtration. Common microfiber fabrics include: Ultrasuede (one of the earliest microfibers), synthetic chenille (commonly used in cleaning products), and micromodal (which, unlike most microfiber fabrics, is 100 percent nylon). Microfiber’s absorbency and moisture impermeability make it an attractive upholstery material for furniture manufacturers. Indeed, according to La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, while certain types of leather fabric offer top durability ratings, synthetic microfiber is generally the most durable furniture fabric on the market today. Because microfiber is so strong, it can withstand a lot of wear and tear, which makes it ideal for furniture that is used frequently. Microfiber fabrics such as ultrasuede even offer a look and feel comparable to genuine leather suede. And microfiber fabrics are typically much less expensive than natural fabrics such as cotton and silk. It is worth knowing, however, that a number of environmental concerns are associated with microfiber fabrics. Neither polyester nor nylon are biodegradable, and their production involves the use of toxic chemicals. Additionally, during use microfiber fabrics shed microplastics, a growing environmental and health concern. Even so, the manufacture of microfibers makes up a very small percentage of the total production of synthetic textiles worldwide, and the environmental impact of more widely used synthetic materials like rayon (a man-made cellulosic fiber) and polyester is greater than that of microfiber fabrics. Additionally, microfiber fabrics can be made using recycled fibers and microfiber fabrics made from recycled fibers can be certified under the Global Recycle Standard (GRS), a voluntary product standard that tracks and verifies the amount of recycled material in a finished product, encouraging waste reduction and the development of a circular economy. Finally, it’s worth noting that that some microfibers are composed of semi-synthetic materials, like rayon, or natural materials, like wool and cotton. However, semi-synthetic and natural microfibers are not nearly as common as synthetic microfibers, meaning that, for practical purposes, the terms microfiber and synthetic microfiber are all but synonymous.
Colorfast Fabrics
The term “colorfastness” describes a fabric’s ability to resist bleeding or fading when subjected to abrasion, laundering, or environmental elements such as sunlight.
Because one of the most attractive features of slipcovers is that they can be machine washed their colorfastness – their ability to retain their color after multiple washes – is an important consideration.
Colorfastness in fabrics is often achieved by using dyeing methods that bind dye molecules to fabric fibers. Therefore, the dyeing process – including such things as the type of dye used or whether or not finishing treatments have been employed – plays a key role in colorfastness.
In addition to how a fabric is dyed, however, there are other fabric qualities that promote colorfastness.
Tightly woven fabrics are typically more colorfast than loosely woven fabrics according to the North Shore Crafts’ blog post, “What Is A Colorfast Fabric?” The fabric’s tight structure keeps the pigment from fading or the dye from bleeding. Denim and canvas are two examples of fabrics with tight weaves.
Solution-dyed synthetic fabrics generally offer greater colorfastness than natural materials because color is added during the fiber’s manufacture. Two examples of such synthetic fabrics are polyester and acrylic (a fabric developed as imitation wool).
If properly treated, natural fabrics can also be colorfast. “Look for labels that mention the fabric’s colorfastness or use terms like ‘colorfast’ or ‘bleed-resistant’” advises North Shore Crafts. “These labels indicate that the fabric has been treated or manufactured in a way that helps it retain its color.” With proper treatment cottons and linens can also be colorfast.
If the fabric’s label offers no details regarding colorfastness, ask the retailer, or discreetly conduct a simple test on your own, as follows:
Testing for Colorfastness: The Bleed Test In the absence of labeling indicating that a fabric is colorfast, North Shore Crafts advises conducting a “bleeding” test. A bleeding test is a simple test that will help you determine if a fabric is colorfast or not. Wet a white cloth (or paper towel) with a small amount of water. Gently rub a small area of the fabric with this wet cloth. If the fabric’s dye bleeds onto the white cloth, the fabric is likely not colorfast and its dye could bleed when the fabric is washed or used. On the other hand, the absence of color transfer indicates colorfastness. In case you should decide to return your slipcover do be gentle and discreet. That said, the bleeding test will not damage the fabric … only reveal whether it is colorfast or not. Also, only a very small area needs to be tested. So, you can test and return, if needed, in good conscience.
To guarantee the best color retention always follow manufacturer care instructions on the fabric’s label – thank you again Federal Trade Commission.
Stain Resistant Fabrics
The ability of a fabric to resist discoloration caused by contact with other substances is known as stain resistance.
Fabrics made from natural fibers – such as cotton – or fibers synthesized from natural materials – such as man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs) – tend to stain easily, particularly when it comes to water-based stains, which they readily absorb.
Fabrics composed of synthetic fibers – such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic – resist water-based stains, but are susceptible to oil-based stains.
Though they don’t stain as easily, once stained synthetic fabrics can be more difficult to clean than natural fabrics with stain removal often entailing the use of pre-treatments or dry-cleaning solvents.
Meanwhile, owing to the same absorptive properties that make them susceptible to water-based stains, stains can typically be removed from natural fabrics using only soap and water. Natural fabrics can also be treated with Scotchgard and other chemical finishes to improve their stain resistance.
So, it’s a bit of a give and take when it comes to stain resistance. More resistant but harder to clean synthetic fabrics? Or less resistant but easier to clean natural fabrics?
Better Homes & Gardens proposes a heavy-duty synthetic microfiber is the most stain-resistant textile and further describes this durable upholstery fabric as easy to care for and resistant to not only stains but also water and fading. As a runner-up, Better Homes & Gardens suggests a high-thread-count cotton, particularly for less-frequently used seating.
As with colorfastness, check product labeling to see if the fabric is labeled “stain resistant.”
Also review the fabric’s care instructions. Now that you understand the types of stains different fabrics are most prone to – natural fabrics (water-based) versus synthetic fabrics (oil-based) – a fabric’s care instructions will offer insight into its stain remediation capabilities and limitations.
What are Man-Made Cellulosic Fibers (MMCFs)? Cellulose, the primary structural component of plant cell walls, is the source of man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs). Using various manufacturing processes, cellulose is dissolved and then extruded into a range of fabrics, such as rayon (developed as an alternative to silk, linen, and cotton), acetate (developed as imitation silk), modal, and lyocell. MMCFs can be manufactured sustainably, using cotton waste or sustainably grown wood and fiber-production technologies that employ less-damaging chemicals. However, currently the majority of MMCFs are fabricated from sources associated with deforestation.
Fabrics that Retain Their Shape
Durability refers to the quality of remaining functional in the face of normal operation over a product’s design lifetime without requiring excessive maintenance.
Fabrics that retain their shape demonstrate their ability to endure frequent use without losing their original form, which is essential to the function of slipcovers. Thus, shape retention is an important measure of slipcover durability.
Stretched, worn, or laundered textiles that keep their original structure and form exhibit good shape retention. Textiles that easily retain their shape not only resist sagging and shrinking, they also typically resist creasing and wrinkling as well, making them sought-after for a variety of uses, including as household textiles and upholstery.
Textile products made from natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and wool generally exhibit good shape retention as do textile products made from synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon.
Certain qualities particularly contribute to a fabric’s capacity for retaining its shape. Fabrics woven from thick fibers are more likely to hold their shape over time as the thickness of the fiber provides structure and support. Likewise, fabrics that are tightly woven are more likely to retain their shape as the weave’s tightness provides stability that enables them to resist stretching.
Canvas (which is made from cotton, linen, and sometimes certain synthetic fibers), denim (which is made primarily from cotton), and duck cloth (which is made solely from cotton) are all heavy and tightly woven fabrics. When it comes to slipcover, any one of these textiles will provide excellent shape retention.
Shape retention is clearly essential to your slipcover’s basic function. But shape retention also makes your slipcover easier to clean. After washing, fabrics that retain their shape demand less time and effort to iron or reshape to their original form making shape retaining fabrics easier to maintain.
High Thread Count Fabrics
The number of threads per square inch of fabric is referred to as “thread count.”
Fabric with a high thread count will naturally be tightly woven as more threads must be woven into a given square inch of fabric. Tightly woven fabric is dense – the higher the thread count, the more threads per square inch, the greater the fabric’s density. Dense fabric is more durable (and also generally provides wrinkle resistant and superior insulation). Densely woven fabrics also typically have a smooth texture though a very high thread counts can result in fabrics that are stiff and hence uncomfortable.
Dense fabrics are also typically heavier. Heavy fabrics tend to better resist wear and tear making them more durable.
That said, any fabric can have a high thread count.
And while a high thread count is often associated with higher quality, it’s not the only factor to consider. The type of fiber used and the way the fabric is woven also play crucial roles in determining the overall quality and feel of the fabric. Thus, while thread count is a useful measure, when assessing fabric quality it should be considered alongside other factors like fiber type and weave style.
Tightly Woven Fabrics
As noted above, weave tightness is directly related to thread count and strongly associated with a fabric’s ability to retain its shape.
In addition to possessing a high thread count and a stability that promotes shape retention, tightly woven fabrics also fend off penetration by dirt, dust, and liquid.
Weave tightness, then, is not only essential to shape retention, but also to preventing dirt and dust penetration that contributes to abrasive wear and to minimizing stains.
A tightly woven fabric is also less prone to snags.
What Causes Snags? When fibers aren’t woven tightly, snags occur. Loose fibers tend to catch on clothing and other items and, as these fibers pull, they create small holes in the fabric that covers your furniture. Over time and with use these small holes can turn into tears in your furniture’s fabric.
Cotton and linen can be very tightly woven, but with its ultra-fine fibers microfiber fabrics very nearly always exhibit weave tightness.
Short of betting on the general properties of microfiber or knowing a fabric’s thread count it will not be easy to determine weave tightness when online shopping.
In most cases, the only way to see how tightly fibers are woven is to take a closer look.
As with colorfastness, this may necessitate a bit of gentle and discreet home testing.
Look at your slipcover. Do you see gaps in the weave?
Gently prod and pull it. Does the fabric separate easily?
Tightly woven fabrics have little give and will maintain their shape.
If your slipcover passes these tests then it is made of a tightly woven fabric that will retain its shape and resist wear for some time.
Fabrics that Resist Pilling
Fabric pilling is a common issue affecting fabric quality and lifespan. Pilling occurs when fibers rub against each other or against other surfaces … like you.
Abrasion creates fabric pills, clusters of tangled fibers that appear as small balls and bumps on fabric surfaces.
All fabrics pill, but some pill more than others.
Generally, fabrics made from synthetic fibers are more prone to pilling than fabrics made from natural fibers. While natural fabrics typically shed loose fibers easily, the tight weave and moisture resistance of most synthetic fabrics (including blends) reduces their ability to shed fibers and increases their susceptibility to friction resulting in a greater propensity to pill.
Silk and linen are two natural fabrics that are noted for their ability to resist pilling. Silk fibers are long and continuous making them less susceptible to abrasion while linen fibers are notably robust and linen itself has a naturally textured appearance which obscures the visibility of pills.
However, silk is too delicate for heavy duty use and linen wrinkles easily and, if not professionally cleaned, is prone to shrinking. Thus, neither is a good choice for the family couch.
The MMCF, rayon, has a smooth texture that can deter pilling and offers a more durable alternative to linen and silk. Though rayon has a reputation for wrinkling, according to Better Homes & Gardens, “recent developments have made high-quality rayon a practical, family-friendly upholstery fabric.”
How to Fix Fabric Pilling Unfortunately, all fabrics pill to some extent. As pilling on upholstered furniture is the unavoidable consequence of normal use, there really is no way to prevent it – not in your upholstery fabric and not in your slipcover – though following manufacturer care instructions on the fabric’s label can limit pilling somewhat – thank you FTC. Fortunately, pilling is easy to treat. The safest and easiest way to remove fabric pills is to shave them with a battery-operated pill shaver or an electric razor. Simple disposable razors can also be used to remove fabric pills as can pumice stone pill removers. Pilling may diminish over time as the majority of loose fibers are removed and should pilling reoccur, simply shave the pills again.
Conclusion
Let’s sum up.
Abrasion Resistant Fabrics. Leather, vinyl, denim, canvas, twill, and microfiber. While certain types of leather fabric offer top durability ratings, synthetic microfiber is generally considered the most durable furniture fabric on the market today.
Colorfast Fabrics. The top choice for colorfastness is a synthetic fabric, such as polyester or acrylic. Natural fabrics can also obtain satisfactory colorfastness, if properly treated, particularly tightly woven fabrics such as denim and canvas.
Stain Resistant Fabrics. A heavy-duty synthetic microfiber is the most stain-resistant textile. Because of ease of cleaning, a high-thread-count cotton is also a good candidate, especially for lower traffic furniture, though it will be more prone to staining than synthetic fabrics.
Fabrics that Retain Their Shape. Heavy and tightly woven fabrics such as denim, canvas, and duck cloth resist stretching and retain their original shape even after use and cleaning. Some synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon (Hey. Isn’t that what microfiber is made of?) also resist stretching and distortion.
High Thread Count Fabrics. Any fabric can have a high thread count and thread count alone does not determine fabric quality. What high thread count does contribute to is weave tightness, fabric density, and weight, qualities which all contribute to fabric durability.
Tightly Woven Fabrics. Though hard to determine without first-hand inspection, because of their fabrication microfiber fabrics are a good bet for a tight weave. Cotton and linen can also be tightly woven, but here you will have to take a closer look.
Fabrics that Resist Pilling. Fabrics made from natural fibers, such as cotton, will be less prone to pilling than most synthetic fabrics. The semi-synthetic cellulosic fiber, rayon, also resists pilling and newer high-quality versions are suitable for heavy-duty residential use.
Upholstered furniture subject to heavy daily wear, like the family couch, should be covered in tough, durable, tightly woven fabrics to protect against stains and damage. This is true of upholstery fabric, and it is true of slipcover fabric also.
What is the best material for slipcovers?
While the answer to this will depend somewhat on the piece of furniture you are covering and what it will be used for, a heavy-duty synthetic microfiber or a heavy and tightly woven cotton-based fabric such as denim, canvas, or duck cloth are excellent choices ranking highly across several measures of fabric durability.
I welcome your questions or thoughts in the comments below!
