Have you been wondering if NOW would the best time to upgrade your furniture? Or, better yet are you waiting for the kids to graduate from high school before you take the plunge? Don’t laugh, but this is top of mind and a real concern, for many of my clients with kids and pets. Why change things when they will get ruined, they ask?
What if I told you, that you CAN have style, comfort and still get to live and make great memories in your space without the worry of another spill? The fact is the furnishings industry truly gets the immediate needs for families likes yours, and have come up with great solutions for homes with kids and sticky hands and pets with dirty paws.
Many retailers now offer high endurance performance fabrics as an option in upholstery products, because they are easy to live with and maintain.
Performance fabrics are now available in an array of patterns and colors. Soft to the touch and pleasing to the eye. It wasn’t always this way at the beginning, so they have come a long way!
What are performance fabrics?
High performance fabrics are man-made fabrics specially engineered to prevent absorption from dirt and spills. They are highly resistant to water, stains, bacteria, mold and mildew. They are also designed to last longer, as they score higher in high abrasion or rub counts tests, which means your space will be clean and beautiful for many years.
What are they made of?
Most performance fabrics are made of polyester, acrylic, nylon, and/ or olefin fibers. Polyester fibers are durable because of their resistance to abrasion, they are also easy to clean and maintain. Acrylic fibers are easy to wash and clean. Nylon is durable, and mold and mildew resistant. Olefin is also mildew and mold resistant.
Who needs performance fabrics?
Performance fabrics are the best option for a room with heavy use and traffic, or for a busy family with kids and/or pets, and anyone looking for longevity in their investment.
Where to use performance fabrics?
Use performance fabrics in places with high traffic. Areas where sunlight is known to cause fading and discoloration. In areas prone to messes and spills.
How to clean high performance fabrics?
Most stains and debris can be easily blotted off with a damp towel. However, you can use soap and water and even bleach for more stubborn stains.
Claudia Davis | Owner, Interior Designer | House and Harmony Design Studio
Claudia Davis is a native of San Diego, California, and longtime resident of the beautiful coastal community of Carlsbad. She created House and Harmony with the desire to make interior design services more accessible. She loves to create functional and stylish, practical and luxurious spaces.