Fiber Types

The fiber content of the fabrics you purchase is a primary factor in the long-term looks and wear of your furnishings. Some fibers hold dyes well and resist fading. Some, particularly silk, fade very quickly. Some fibers, particularly wool, resist wear well. Others, such as polyester, hardly resist wear at all.

Study the list of fiber types (link to fiber types) when shopping for your fabrics. If the fiber content is not clearly marked on the fabric sample or roll, ask a salesperson for the fiber content of any fabrics you are interested in.

Make sure you choose fabrics that resist fading for your custom window treatments. They will often be subjected to strong sunlight and are the furnishings most vulnerable to fading.

Even if you choose a blackout drapery lining that will help block the light, your window treatments will still fade around the hems and edges. So, don't think that you can get away with using a fiber that is very vulnerable to fading, such as silk, for your window treatments as long as you use a good lining. It doesn't work.

Many man-made fibers and fiberglass resist fire well. Many fabrics made of these fibers are marketed as "fire-resistant". This is often a requirement for use in hotels and motels.

Make sure you choose fabrics that resist wear for your upholstery and seat cushions. You don't want your cushions to start developing bald spots just a few months after you have paid the upholstery bill.

Make sure that the recommended cleaning method (dry clean, wash, or hand-wash) fits your lifestyle and the use you have in mind for the fabric. If you are going to upholster the family room couch, and you have small children, don't choose a fabric that must be dry-cleaned.

Choose fabrics that are mildew resistant for use in wet or humid areas, such as bathrooms and around swimming pools.

Bear in mind that surface treatments can be applied that change the durability of the fabric. The qualities listed below refer only to the fiber in its natural state. Application of any surface treatments will change the qualities of the fabric listed here.

Various surface treatments, such as lamination and stain-resistant treatments, are discussed later in this chapter. Lamination can make even the most mildew-prone fabric suitable to use in wet areas, such as around swimming pools. Scotchgarding can make many fabrics much more stain-resistant. A crisp or glazed finish will make any fabric drape poorly.

Also, bear in mind that many fabrics you will encounter are blends of the fibers below. The fabric should contain at least 20% of any fiber in order to realize the benefits associated with that fiber. For instance, a cotton/polyester blend should contain at least 20% polyester to resist mildew to any appreciable extent. Even so, this fabric will not resist mildew nearly as well as a fabric that is 100% polyester. A cotton/polyester blend that contains only 5% polyester will probably not resist mildew any better than 100% cotton. You get the idea.

• Acetate --
Man-made fiber that can be dry-cleaned or washed. Use a cool iron only. It has good resistance to fire, mildew, pilling, soiling, shrinking, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to wear, wrinkling, and fading.
• Acrylic --
Man-made fiber that can be dry-cleaned or washed. Use a cool iron only. It has good resistance to fire, wear, wrinkling, soiling, insect damage, mildew, and fading. It has poor resistance to pilling.
• Cotton --
Natural fiber that can be dry cleaned or washed. It can be ironed. It has good resistance to wear, fading, pilling, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to mildew, soiling, wrinkling, and fire.
• Fiberglass --
Natural fiber made from glass that must be hand-washed. Do not iron. Hang dry or tumble dry on cool setting. It has good resistance to fire, mildew, fading, wrinkling, soiling, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to wear and pilling.
• Hemp --
Natural fiber made from hemp plants, often used for heavy rope as well. It can be ironed. It has good resistance to wear, fading, wrinkling, pilling, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to mildew, soiling, and fire.
• Jute --
Natural fiber made from jute plants, often used for burlap sacking and upholstery twine. It has good resistance to wear, fading, wrinkling, pilling, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to mildew, soiling, and fire.
• Linen --
Natural fiber made from flax that should be washed. Linen should not be folded for storage as this can bend and break fibers and create weak areas along the folds. Always roll for storage. It can be ironed. It has good resistance to wear, mildew, pilling, fading, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to soiling, wrinkling, and fire.
• Nylon --
Man-made fiber that can be dry-cleaned or washed. Use a cool iron only. It has good resistance to fire, mildew, wrinkling, wear, soiling, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to fading and pilling.
• Olefin --
Man-made fiber that can be washed. Use a cool iron only. It has good resistance to fire, fading, mildew, soiling, wear, wrinkling, pilling, and insect damage. It really doesn't have any resistance problems.
• Polyester --
Man-made fiber that can be dry-cleaned or washed. Use a cool iron only. It has good resistance to fire, fading, mildew, wrinkling, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to pilling, soiling, and wear.
• Rayon --
Man-made fiber that can be dry-cleaned or washed. It can be ironed. It has good resistance to wear, soiling, fading, pilling, and insect damage. It has poor resistance to fire, wrinkling, and mildew.
• Silk --
Natural fiber that must be dry-cleaned or hand-washed. It can be ironed. It has good resistance to mildew, soiling, insect damage, and wrinkling. It has poor resistance to fire, fading, pilling, and wear.
• Wool --
Natural fiber that must be dry-cleaned or hand-washed. Use a cool iron only. It has good resistance to fire, mildew, wear, pilling, fading, wrinkling, and soiling. It has poor resistance to insect damage.