Decoding Performance Fabrics.

What does it all mean?

Performance fabrics are all the rage, but what does “performance” mean? Read on about this popular upholstery topic to find the industry of performance fabrics explained. 

What is Performance? In the context of fabric for residential home furnishings, performance typically refers to durability or clean ability, and, in some cases, to both. Durability offers insurance against everyday wear and tear, and clean ability refers primarily to stain and odor resistance. 

Why Performance? Do you have children, grandchildren? Pets? Are you playing host or hostess to chic soirees in the living room? Will an all-white sectional in these homes spur the biting of nails and gnashing of teeth? Relax; you’ve got this. 

What to look for in Performance fabrics. The “double rub count” a term that originated with a piece of heavy canvas repeatedly rubbed using a mechanized arm. Every back and forth motion of the arm counts as one “double rub.” The motion is meant to replicate the abrasive effects of normal use, and the friction that occurs when you sit down and stand up from sitting. The test continues until there are signs of significant wear, which is defined as two yarn breaks. Fabrics with a higher double rub count will offer more durability and longer-lasting wear. Look for a high count, starting at 10,000 double rubs or greater, when covering upholstered furniture items that will be used more frequently. 

Are Performance Fabrics Safe?

Not all fabrics are safe and many should be avoided. Many performance fabrics have what is known as ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) and are synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily, they can stay in our bodies for a very long time (hence the ‘forever’). 

These chemicals are present in all sorts of products that we use on a daily basis: fabrics, clothing, non-stick cookware, water, cosmetics, and much more.

Numerous health problems are linked with the use and consumption of PFAS. Research studies show that PFAS can cause reproductive and developmental difficulties, liver and kidney problems, as well as interference with the body’s natural hormones. 

Other concerns include an increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers, and a reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.

PFAS are widely used in the textile industry because they allow textiles to repel water, oil, and dirt. They also increase thermal resistance and breathability. These advantages appeal to consumers. The choice of a performance fabric over a non-treated one is obvious, even though it might cost more. 

For rugs, there may be stain proofing built into the fiber, or a coating added to the rug by the rug manufacturer or an after purchase option to add stain proofing to your rug. The logic is that stain proofing will allow you to play, eat and drink on treated rugs without a worry. However, if the textiles in your home are treated with hash chemicals,  there may be a possibility that these chemicals will release unhealthy compounds into the air, polluting it. 

The Following are Types of Performance Fabrics that are free from PFAS Chemicals

Crypton – Crypton offers exceptional protection from water- and oil-based stains, moisture and odors. The fibers in a Crypton fabric are permanently transformed through a chemical immersion process, which includes an impenetrable moisture barrier to protect the fabric from spills and odors. Crypton assures its antimicrobial and stain-resistance technology is good for the life of the fabric. The company produces an impressive array of colors and patterns to choose from. Here is a demonstration video from Crypton. https://youtu.be/y6tGG1DdUKc?si=L3iX5fsFqRndI37f

Inside Out Performance – is an “all-in-one” performance fabric that can withstand the messes of indoors and the elements of the outdoors! In addition to the core performance qualities of being cleanable and durable, InsideOut is also bleach cleanable, disinfectant spray safe, fade resistant and liquid resistant. Inside Out is in collaboration with the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE, a global community whose mission is to raise awareness about marine litter and work with ocean cleanups around the world to bring value to the waste they recover. To date, SEAQUAL INITIATIVE has transformed more than 200 tons of marine litter into plastic and cleaned more than 600 tons of waste from our oceans.

​A commitment to sustainability and truly believing in SEAQUAL INITIATIVE’s mission drove InsideOut Performance Fabrics® to develop and engineer fabrics made with SEAQUAL YARN that would meet the quality criteria of the all-in-one performance fabric brand. The result is a Greenguard Gold Certified and PFAS free, performance fabric that has the core performance qualities of being cleanable and durable, but it also bleach cleanable, fade resistant and made with yarns that are a part of a huge initiative to help solve a major global issue!

Revolution Performance Fabrics – PFAS Free for over 20 years. Revolution Performance Fabrics has pioneered an entirely different approach. Instead of switching from one potentially harmful chemical finish to another, we believe that no finish is, in fact, the best finish. Our fabrics offer superior performance, matching the stain-resistant qualities of chemically treated counterparts, but without any hazardous chemical finishes.

Why do we believe ‘No Finish is the Best Finish’? For us, it’s about prioritizing both human and environmental health. By eliminating chemical finishes, we’re cutting out potential toxins from your living spaces and reducing the pollution these chemicals can cause. 

Sunbrella – Outdoor and Indoor fabrics. Is known to have PFAS but also has GREENGUARD Gold. Sunbrella upholstery fabrics are GREENGUARD certified for low chemical emissions, contributing to healthy indoor air quality.

While this is not a complete list of performance fabrics available in the marketplace, we hope you’ve gained a sense for the features and benefits to look for. For more information on cleaning, fading and sustainability have a look at the chart below for performance fabrics offered by many furniture manufacturers.

Fabric Comparison Chart