Upholstery, Fabric, and Cleaning
Everybody has their own favorite place to relax. Whether it’s a couch, chair or bed, a cushy piece of furniture is the prime spot to kick back. Even an uncomfortable (but good-looking) antique chair can put your mind at ease knowing that it ties a room together. Despite all these benefits, we rarely think of the positive impacts that upholstery has on our daily lives.
Upholstery is the method of providing furniture and furnishings with padding, springs, webbing and fabric or leather covers. So not only does it provide comfort, but it also defines the entire personality of a house, room and car. That leather sofa, those hand-sewn curtains and that artsy vintage couch–they’re all unique and pleasant because of the vast selection of upholstery that is available.
Despite its mundane and domestic associations, upholstery has a history that is rich and decorated (pun intended!). The word comes from the Old English word, upholden. Back in the 18th century, upholders served as interior designers, taking care of every aspect of the interior décor, including building and delivering furniture. Building the wooden frames, stuffing them with padding and covering them with fabric were common practices for upholders, and their work has carried on through modern upholstery. Today, the word upholster is more associated with fabrics and stuffing than furniture building, but the principles and craftsmanship from the original upholders.
Covering is one of the most important elements of upholstery, and there are many different types used to adorn furniture which can be broken up into two categories: leathers and fabrics.
Leather is the most sought-after and expensive type of upholstery, but it does offer many advantages over fabric. Leather is incredibly durable and will last a long time-even becoming softer from the wear that would normally damage fabric upholstery. Because of its high price, people like to flaunt leather couches and car interiors as status symbols and most auto dealers will even point out leather interiors as major selling points. However, those who do to not use animal products for comfort of fashion are more likely to own fabric upholstered furniture.
Fabric is made up of two fibers woven together, and since there are so many different fibers to choose from, fabric upholstery comes in many different styles and textures. Upholstery made from plants is very popular; cotton is the most popular material because of its strength and versatility, but alternative fabrics like hemp are gaining a lot of attention. Fabrics that come from animals, including, wool, cashmere and silk provide a lot of comfort, but may not appease those who are also opposed to leather. Synthetic upholstery such as polyester, nylon and vinyl serve as good alternatives to other types of fabric.
It is very important to care for upholstery to ensure that it lasts a long time. Without proper detection, a tiny flaw or rip can eventually lead to the demise of a loved piece of furniture. Since the interior of a car is a big selling point, having damaged upholstery can greatly impact the value of a vehicle. Often, regular inspection and vacuuming will take care of most fabric upholstery, but special solutions are needed for cleaning leather or suede.
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