Upholstery Fabric Guide: Types, Durability Ratings and How to Choose
What Is Upholstery Fabric?
Upholstery fabric is the durable textile used to cover and cushion furniture, such as sofas, armchairs and dining chairs. Unlike dressmaking fabric, it goes through specific testing. It is rated for abrasion resistance, so it can withstand years of daily use.
What Are the Three Main Types of Fabric Used in Upholstery?
Upholstery fabric generally falls into three groups. Natural fibres include cotton and linen. Synthetic fibres include polyester and vinyl. Blended fabrics combine natural comfort with synthetic durability.
Which Fabric Is Best for Upholstery?
Cotton
Cotton is breathable, versatile and available in countless colours, including popular neutral shades like cream. It is one of the most affordable natural options. However, it can wear faster than synthetic blends under heavy use.
Linen
Linen offers a crisp, natural look and a luxurious feel. That said, it creases more easily and generally needs more careful cleaning than cotton or polyester.
Polyester and Synthetic Blends
Polyester is strong, affordable and easy to clean. This makes it a common choice for heavy duty upholstery fabric on sofas and dining chairs that see daily use.
Velvet
Velvet is a soft, dense pile fabric that adds a sumptuous, elegant texture. Modern performance velvets are treated to resist stains. As a result, they are more practical than older velvet weaves.
Boucle and Chenille
Boucle has a looped, textured surface popular in contemporary furniture design. Chenille, meanwhile, offers a soft, tufted pile with good durability for everyday seating.
Vinyl and Faux Leather
This wipe-clean, highly durable option suits dining chairs, commercial settings and homes with children or pets particularly well.
Outdoor Upholstery Fabric
Treated acrylic or solution-dyed polyester resists fading, moisture and mildew. This makes it ideal for garden furniture and conservatories.
Heavy Duty Upholstery Fabric for Chairs: What to Look For
Heavy duty upholstery fabric is measured using the Martindale rub test. This counts how many rubs a fabric withstands before signs of wear appear.
| Martindale Rating | Suitability |
|---|---|
| 10,000 to 15,000 | Occasional use, such as bedroom chairs |
| 15,000 to 25,000 | General domestic use, everyday sofas and chairs |
| 25,000 to 30,000+ | Heavy duty, family homes, commercial and contract use |
For heavy duty upholstery fabric for chairs used daily, aim for a rating of 25,000 or higher. Pair this with a tight weave, such as canvas or twill, for best results.
Fire Safety Standards for UK Upholstery Fabric
In the UK, upholstery fabric intended for furniture is expected to meet the British Standard BS 5852. This tests resistance to ignition and flame spread. Many fabrics also carry additional flame-retardant finishes for extra protection. This is particularly important for sofas and chairs used in family homes.
Upholstery Fabric Cleaning Codes
| Code | Meaning | Cleaning Method |
|---|---|---|
| W | Water-based cleaner safe | Water-based upholstery shampoo |
| S | Solvent only | Dry-cleaning solvent, avoid water |
| WS | Water or solvent | Either method suitable |
| X | Vacuum only | No liquid cleaning, professional clean only |
How Do I Clean Upholstery Fabric?
- Vacuum regularly to remove dust and grit that wear down fibres over time
- Check the cleaning code label before using any liquid or solvent
- Blot spills immediately rather than rubbing, to avoid pushing stains deeper into the weave
- Test any cleaning product on a hidden area first
- Have heavily soiled or delicate fabrics professionally cleaned
For fibre-specific care guidance, see our Textile Care & Conservation guide.
Choosing Upholstery Fabric by Room and Use
Living Room Sofas
Balance comfort and durability with a mid-to-high Martindale rated cotton, linen blend or performance velvet.
Dining Chairs
Choose wipe-clean options like vinyl or tightly woven synthetic blends. This matters more here, given the higher risk of spills.
Family Homes with Children or Pets
Prioritise heavy duty upholstery fabric with a high Martindale rating and a stain-resistant or wipe-clean finish.
Outdoor and Conservatory Furniture
Use dedicated outdoor upholstery fabric designed to resist fading, moisture and mildew.
Buying Upholstery Fabric
By the Yard or Metre
Most specialist fabric retailers and online fabric shops sell upholstery fabric by the yard or metre. This lets you buy exactly the quantity needed for a chair, sofa or reupholstery project.
In Store or Online
UK shoppers can find upholstery fabric through department stores, specialist fabric retailers, haberdashery shops and online fabric marketplaces. In-store visits are especially useful for checking colour and texture, such as cream or neutral tones, in person before buying.
How Much Fabric Do I Need?
As a general guide, allow roughly 0.5 to 0.7 metres per dining chair seat. A full sofa needs considerably more, plus extra to allow for pattern matching.
Sustainable Upholstery Fabric Options
Organic cotton, recycled polyester and natural linen blends are increasingly available as lower-impact upholstery choices. Importantly, this comes without sacrificing durability. See our Sustainable & Eco Textiles guide for more.
Common Upholstery Fabric Myths
Velvet is too delicate for everyday sofas. Not anymore. Modern performance velvets are treated for stain resistance and hold up well to daily family use.
A higher thread count always means a more durable fabric. For upholstery, this is misleading. The Martindale rub rating is a far more reliable durability measure than thread count alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fabric is upholstery?
Upholstery fabric is any durable, abrasion-tested textile, such as cotton, linen, polyester, velvet or vinyl, used to cover and cushion furniture.
Which fabric is best for upholstery?
It depends on use. Polyester blends and vinyl suit high-traffic, family homes, while linen and velvet suit lower-traffic, more formal spaces.
What are the three main types of fabric?
Natural fibres, synthetic fibres and blended fabrics are the three broad categories used across both fashion and upholstery.
How do I clean upholstery fabric?
Check the cleaning code label first, vacuum regularly, blot spills immediately, and use only the recommended cleaning method for that code.
What is a good Martindale rating for a family sofa?
A rating of at least 25,000 rubs is generally recommended for heavy, everyday family use.
Related Reading
Written by the Textile Conservancy editorial team, dedicated to helping readers understand fabric, care for it properly, and make more sustainable material choices.
