All About Performance Fabrics
Performance fabrics have become increasingly popular and more widely available for upholstery in recent years, as more and more homeowners are looking for durable and stain-resistant materials that can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. These fabrics are specially designed to be easy to clean and resistant to fading and wear, making them an excellent choice for busy households with children, pets, or frequent guests.
These fabrics are typically made from synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon that can withstand repeated use, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like living rooms or family rooms.
The white sofa in our front living room is upholstered in Crypton performance fabric and it’s held up so well. We’ve had it for three or so years now and it still looks new. I’ve spilled coffee and other not-so-great stuff on it, and it’s withstood toddler and dog abuse too! It is our secondary sofa so it doesn’t see as much abuse as our family room sofa, but when we have guests we mostly sit in here and I don’t worry about it a bit.
Another advantage of performance fabrics is their stain resistance. Many of these fabrics are either treated with special coatings or the yarn itself is resistant to spills and stains. The latter tends to be more durable over a longer period of time since coatings will wear off eventually. To clean them, you can often just wipe them down with a damp cloth or clean with mild soap and water. Trying pouring liquid onto a performance fabric - it’ll bead right up!
Performance fabrics also offer excellent colorfastness, which means that they are less likely to fade or lose their color over time. This is particularly important for rooms with a lot of direct light, as exposure to UV rays can cause fabrics to fade and lose their vibrancy. With performance fabrics, however, homeowners can enjoy vibrant, long-lasting colors for years to come.
Some are even bleach-cleanable or machine washable like Revolution Performance Fabrics (one of my favorite brands), which offers you even more confidence that your big-ticket purchase will last.
In addition to these practical benefits, performance fabrics also come in a wide range of styles and designs, making them a versatile choice for any decor. Whether you prefer a classic look or a more modern aesthetic, there is sure to be a performance fabric that fits your style and budget.
Just about every home furniture brand offers performance upholstered sofas, chairs, and other soft furnishings. You can often order swatches from them and do a “stain test” to see how they hold up. Not all performance fabrics are made equal, but if they have performance in the name, they’re likely to clean up well.
I did just that on three fabric samples I had in my library recently. I tried coffee, balsamic vinegar, tomato, and strawberry. It looked like quite a messy situation - yikes!
I was honestly impressed with all of them! The liquids wiped right off with an absorbent paper towel. The tomato and strawberry took a little more work, but it wasn’t anything that a little liquid Dawn and/or Folex couldn’t handle.
Here’s how they turned out:
There’s still a faint tomato outline left on the Pottery Barn fabric, but I think if I had been a little more patient, I could have lifted the last bit. 😉
Brands to look for (if a retailer shares them - many are re-labeled or named differently) are Crypton, Sunbrella, Revolution, Inside-Out Fabrics, and Perennials. Keep an eye out for those when you’re shopping!
Overall, performance fabrics are an excellent choice for anyone looking for durable, easy-to-clean upholstery fabrics that can stand up to the rigors of everyday life. If you’re able to upgrade and spend a little extra on these fabrics, I promise you won’t regret it! They offer a practical and stylish solution for busy households that want to enjoy beautiful and comfortable furniture for years to come.
