Reupholstery fabric comes in three big groups—natural, synthetic, and performance—and each has its own feel, strength, and care rules. Cotton and linen breathe but wrinkle; microfiber and polyester shrug off spills; brands like Sunbrella and Crypton fight stains and sun fade. Use the quick chart below to match fabric to kids, pets, or style, then dig into short notes on why each fabric shines or falls short.
Jump to section
Quick chart: best fabric for your life
| Fabric | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Soft feel, low cost The Spruce | Fades in sun |
| Linen | Cool, strong natural fibers WORLD LINEN | Wrinkles, stains |
| Leather | Long life, easy wipe‑clean Logans Fashions | Higher price |
| Microfiber | Pet & kid spills The Spruce | Static, lint |
| Polyester blend | Budget sofas, bright colors The Spruce | Less breathable |
| Velvet (synthetic) | Luxe look in low‑use rooms Evolve Furniture | Traps dust |
| Sunbrella / Crypton | Indoor‑outdoor, heavy use SunbrellaCrypton | Higher yard cost |
(Aim for 15 000+ “double rubs” on the fabric tag for busy rooms.) Revolution Fabrics
Natural fabrics
Cotton
Soft, airy, and resists wear in tightly woven ducks or twills The Spruce. Add a stain‑guard spray to slow fading.
Linen
Flax fiber is 30 % stronger than cotton and even gets softer after many washes The Fabric Outlet. It wrinkles fast and dislikes heavy spills Reddit.
Leather
Real leather can last 20 – 40 years with conditioner and shade from sun Logans FashionsArchitectural Digest. Faux leather runs 10 – 20 years if cleaned gently Logans Fashions.
Wool & silk (quick note)
Wool blends resist stains but cost more; silk is for low‑traffic accent chairs Better Homes & Gardens.
Synthetic & blends
Microfiber (polyester)
Tight weave blocks liquid for easy blot‑up, making it top pick for pets and kids Better Homes & Gardens.
Polyester & nylon mixes
Hold bright prints, resist pilling, and come cheap The Spruce. They feel warmer than natural cloth.
Olefin / acrylic
Great for patio cushions because they shrug off sun and mildew Better Homes & Gardens.
Performance fabrics
Sunbrella
Solution‑dyed acrylic that resists UV fade, mold, and bleach cleaning—ideal for sunny windows Sunbrella.
Crypton
Stain‑proof and odor‑blocking coating baked into the fibers; popular for sofas in busy homes Crypton.
Both brands post 30 000+ double rub scores for heavy commercial use Revolution Fabrics.
How to choose in 3 steps
- Check traffic. Pick 15 k+ double rubs for family rooms Revolution Fabrics.
- Test a swatch. Sit, spill water, and see color in daylight.
- Match care. If you hate ironing, skip linen; if you fear claws, avoid loose weaves.
Care tips
- Vacuum weekly to cut dust on velvet and microfiber Evolve Furniture.
- Keep leather supple with monthly conditioner Architectural Digest.
- Slipcover linen if pets jump on couches Everything Inc..
Next steps
- Pricing a redo? See our cost chart.
- DIY how‑to? Follow our step‑by‑step reupholster guide.
- Need pro help? Browse the upholsterer directory.
Pick fabric that fits your life, and your “new” couch will stay fresh for years.
