Most Durable Fabrics for a Couch

Wool

• Wool rates as one of the most durable upholstery fabrics. It resists abrasion and stains. If your wool couch does become stained, it requires dry cleaning. Wool has some natural fire resistance. Wool is vulnerable to moth damage but overall wears very well.

Microfiber

• A variety of polyester, microfiber feels like velvet but wears much better. Easy to clean and comfortable, microfiber offers affordable durability. Microfiber holds up well to insects, mildew and sunlight, and resists stains.

Leather

• Leather feels luxurious and can cost more than other fabrics. It looks better with age and cleans reasonably easily. Leather makes a good choice for furniture you expect to last, since it offers high durability. Imitation leather or vinyl offers very high durability but does not have the same feel as leather. Vinyl would work well in a very high traffic area or one with children and pets.

Olefin

• Olefin is a synthetic fabric that scores high on durability. It is inexpensive and resists abrasion well. You might find olefin under the trade name Herculon. Olefin easily resists stains, but you should keep it out of sunlight. Often blends of synthetic and natural fibers offer the best of both worlds.

Cotton

• A natural fiber, cotton has a soft, comfortable feel. You have a large choice of color and pattern in cotton. Durability is good, but cotton is vulnerable to sunlight fading and mildew formation from moisture. Cotton is easy to clean, but it should have a stain-preventing treatment, because it has less stain resistance than synthetic fabric.