Kids, Pets, Wine. Here’s How to Pick Upholstery That Can Handle All Three.

So-called performance textiles are typically synthetic blends. They have their roots in the mid–20th century, when synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic were developed and used in parachutes, awnings, and sails. These textiles were strong, capable of withstanding moisture and temperature changes, less likely to mold, and more UV-resistant than textiles made from natural fibers. Furniture manufacturers saw an opportunity, and these fabrics eventually moved indoors.

Technological advances in fiber production, weaving, and chemical treatments have yielded fabrics that have the more pliable feel of textiles made from cotton or wool, and even velvet. And though it’s possible to have a sofa that lasts a while with upholstery that isn’t technically a performance fabric, performance textiles are designed with some or all of the following characteristics in mind.

Cleanable: Sometimes described as “bleach cleanable,” these fabrics may be spot-cleaned with a solution consisting of bleach and water, typically at a 1:10 ratio, though you should be sure to rinse the bleach off with water after spot-treating. Another common cleaning directive is to use a water-based solvent, which means a solution made of primarily water plus a mild dish soap or a similar gentle cleaning agent; on the tags, look out for “W” or “W/S,” which indicates a water-based solvent recommendation. To avoid moisture rings, always use the minimum amount of any solution.

Fade-resistant: Upholstery that is fade-resistant doesn’t fade from UV exposure or cleaning, since the threads of the fabric hold the pigment, rather than the color being applied to the surface of the textile. Because the color resides below the surface of the fabric, you can’t actually rub or sun-bleach it out.

Durable: Most performance fabrics are designed and tested to withstand repeated abrasion, an indicator that they will last without fraying, pilling, or tearing. In these tests,  an abrasive material is methodically rubbed on the fabric until the fabric’s fibers start to break, and the number of rubs becomes the “rub count.” The higher the rub count, the more durable the fabric. For most home use, a score between 15,000 and 20,000 is sufficient; for high-traffic locations in a home, we recommended a rub count of 30,000 for maximum durability. (For context, ideal hotel upholsteries, which see huge amounts of traffic, may have rub counts north of 100,000.)

Some residential-furniture retailers, such as Room & Board, also sell contract-grade furniture, says Juliana Daily, interior designer and co-owner of Manuel Zeitlin Architects. These retailers, which sell to professional designers furnishing hotels and other high-traffic settings, tend to list specific metrics, such as rub counts, since their pieces are geared toward the industry. But if the manufacturer you’re looking at doesn’t offer contract-grade pieces, or if you’re unsure of a fabric’s composition, don’t be afraid to ask.

Stain-resistant: Most stain-resistant textiles are composed of polyester, acrylic, or polypropylene threads (also known as olefin) and are inherently moisture-, oil- and stain-resistant. These fabrics may also be treated with a chemical barrier that causes moisture to bead on the surface instead of absorbing, which makes it easier for you to wipe up small spills.

Historically, such chemical barriers used PFAS. But PFAS chemicals have been increasingly linked to a host of health risks, including cancer, pregnancy complications, and weakened immune function, and they persist in the environment for years, a concern that has led some states to ban intentionally added PFAS in textiles for sale. As a result, many manufacturers have largely shifted to alternative methods; none of the fabrics available for the sofas that we currently recommend in Wirecutter’s sofa guide contain intentionally added PFAS.

“When somebody comes to me and says ‘I need a performance fabric,’ my first question is, ‘What does that mean to you?’” said Stefanie DeMarco, sales director at Kvadrat, a global industry leader in textile design, in a phone interview.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you narrow down your options:

Do you have a high-mess household?

If your concerns are food spills, oils, and other messes, consider upholstery that is easy to clean and won’t readily absorb liquids. A synthetic-blend performance weave is probably a good starting place. These textiles are usually named as “performance” or labeled with terms such as “poly,” “PET,” or “olefin.”

Color, pattern, and weave can also work for or against you in masking stains that do occur. It may seem obvious, but three of the textile professionals I spoke with suggested looking for a darker color. For example, I’ve had few issues with my navy blue Burrow Range sofa in the Performance Basketweave fabric. But a colleague with two young kids and a dog ended up getting rid of her Burrow sofa, which was upholstered in an ivory-colored version of the same performance fabric. She had cleaned it as directed, but many ring stains still emerged. A pattern or weave with varying shades, such as a herringbone or basketweave style, can also help camouflage stains.

Does your furniture get a lot of traffic?

If you entertain a lot or live in a larger, active household, you may want to pay extra attention to rub counts or seek out contract-grade performance fabrics, which are tested for durability and should last longer before showing signs of physical wear. While 15,000 is considered an acceptable rub count for home use, experts recommend contract-grade rub counts of 30,000 and above. Juliana Daily has had contract-grade polyester velvet upholstery for nine years, and so far it has withstood two cats and multiple wine and coffee spills.

If in doubt, contact the manufacturer; Burrow doesn’t list abrasion specifications on its site, but when I emailed the company, I learned that all of its upholstery has a 50,000 rub count or higher.

If the rub count isn’t shared, keep in mind that synthetic textiles tend to have a higher level of durability. For leather and wool, look for ratings with a rub count of 15,000 to 25,000.

Are you concerned about fading?

If your furniture will be absorbing direct sunlight for prolonged periods, such as a sofa near a window with a southern exposure, and you aren’t in favor of a sun-bleached look on your once-dark fabric, a performance fabric with UV resistance may work best for you.

Do you have pets?

If you’re worried about claws doing a number on your sofa, you can take a couple of additional strategies. First, look for tighter, flatter weaves, such as low-pile performance velvets, which are less likely to snag on claws.

An exception to that rule is bouclé, a textured weave made of tiny loops. I have a sofa whose fabric is a bouclé wool and viscose blend, and I’ve found that the upholstery hides errant claw snags as well as minor stains. In fact, bouclé seems to be growing in popularity for dog and cat beds, says Mel Plaut, who covers pet gear for Wirecutter. For a more durable bouclé, look for tighter, denser loops (like the fur of a closely shorn poodle) rather than large loose ones (like the feel of a fluffy sweater).

To test snagging for any textile, bouclé or otherwise, don’t be shy about requesting samples. Some manufacturers can provide extra-large upholstery samples upon request, something I’ve done numerous times. Allow your pet to interact with the sample and pay attention to whether their claws snag.

Samples are also useful if your main concern is shedded fur. Rub the samples against your pet’s coat, which can give you a sense of how obvious their fur will be on your sofa. If you prefer a fur-free couch, steer clear of textured textiles such as tweed, brocade, or high-pile velvets, as they may camouflage and embed the strands. And if vacuuming your sofa every day isn’t on your vision board, this furniture lint roller specifically designed for pet hair is a favorite among Wirecutter staffers, myself included.

Do you want to avoid chemicals?

Manufacturers have begun to phase out PFAS coatings for their upholstery, and at this writing, none of our sofa picks contain intentionally added PFAS. If you want added assurance that potentially harmful chemicals aren’t in your upholstery, look for the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 or Oeko-Tex Made in Green certification, both of which indicate that the fabric has been independently tested and deemed free of harmful levels of certain chemicals, including intentionally added PFAS above the certification’s threshold.

Some textiles may also emit low levels of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which can impact indoor air quality. For added assurance, look for a Greenguard certification, which means that the textile has been rigorously tested for low chemical emissions.

Do you prefer a thorough clean?

If you want to do more than a spot-clean and prefer a full wash, consider a sofa with a slipcover. These may be attractive to people with allergies who are highly sensitive to dust mites and other irritants. (We recommend one such model from IKEA, as well as one from Sixpenny, though for the latter the recommendation is dry-clean only.)

What about natural-fiber options?

Although synthetic fibers are more common in performance fabrics, natural fibers can also be low-maintenance, durable, and easy to clean, though they are sometimes more expensive.

Several of the textile and commercial-design experts I spoke to for this article championed wool as a highly desirable alternative to performance synthetics. Though synthetics have been designed explicitly for durability, cleanability, and moisture repellency,  wool contains lanolin and is hygroscopic, which means its fibers can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. Wool fibers are also notably strong and elastic, far more so than cotton. All of that means wool is inherently cleanable, breathable, and durable.  As Kvadrat’s DeMarco told me, “Wool is so durable and cleanable, they use it in the transit system in Denmark,” as well as on high-traffic seating in trains and airports; the Kvadrat Haalingdal fabric, a wool-viscose blend, has been used in those commercial spaces for decades.

Leather is also a good choice if your main concern is cleanability, as it is relatively low-maintenance, easily wiped down, and, depending on its quality, capable of lasting for decades, developing a beautiful patina. Notably, though, suede and roughout — in which the hide is flipped and used with the fibrous side out — are the exception. If you’re looking for a soft-to-the-touch suede look and feel but want cleanability, consider ultrasuede or microsuede, both of which are synthetics that mimic those softer, textured leathers.

Linen and cotton fabrics, which can never match the cleanability and durability of wool or leathers, should ideally be used in lower-traffic areas that don’t see regular usage from kids or pets.

No matter a manufacturer’s claims, there are probably some stains that will defeat even the most high-performing performance fabric. Sometimes the same textile may have two totally different outcomes, as with the Burrow performance fabrics we’ve tested.

Ultimately, there’s no magic bullet when it comes to upholstery, though knowing what to look for can give you a fighting chance against the inevitable spills and other mishaps. But messes still happen, and we have steam cleaner recommendations to serve as backup, helping your furniture stand the test of time — whatever life throws your way.

This article was edited by Katie Okamoto and Maxine Builder.