Natural fabrics are a popular choice among consumers. Fabrics like cotton are sourced from plants and come in a variety of price points, depending on the thread count, however, prices tend to be higher than other synthetic fabrics. In addition, these fabrics typically have a tight weave design which helps to prevent snagging but is not well known for its stain resistance. Light stains can be cleaned with water-based cleaning solutions, but excessive scrubbing and abrasion will lead to a shorter life span than other performance fabrics.

Performance fabrics are durable and built to withstand wear and tear while being easy to clean and maintain. Performance fabrics are created with synthetic fibers and tend to have greater longevity, but mimic the look and feel of natural fibers. Additionally, because performance fabrics are created with synthetic blends, they are typically a much lower price point for shoppers on a budget. Performance fabrics are scratch and stain-resistant and can typically be cleaned by simply blotting up spills and for tough messes, potentially using a simple soap and water solution. Some examples include microfiber, chenille and rayon. Allform, for example, creates all fabric couches with performance fabrics that are stain-, pill- and scratch-resistant. You can read more about them on our sofa materials page.

Leather and suede are also considered performance fabrics because they are extremely stain resistant and very easy to clean, typically with a simple wipe down. Because they are a higher-end, buying a leather sofa is going to cost a bit more than a synthetic fabric sofa. For this reason, budget-conscious shoppers sometimes opt for faux leather. To maintain leather and suede, wipe them down from time to time and using a fabric-specific conditioner helps to keep them well-maintained. While both fabrics do show age over time, the look of an aged leather sofa is actually considered to be a plus for furniture owners.