Microvelour fabric - what is it? Surely this fabric is similar to velour used for sofa upholstery. But what does the prefix "micro" mean?
Characteristics and composition of the fabric
Microvelour furniture fabric is created on a woven base of cotton, nylon, polyester or a mixture of natural and artificial fibers. The stitches are not W-shaped, but resemble honeycombs, which affects wear resistance. To obtain a "velvety" effect, a pile of microfibers up to 1 mm long of nylon or capron is applied to the adhesive base. This is where the name with the prefix "micro" comes from. To make the pile uniform, the work is carried out under the influence of an electrostatic field. The material has a special feature - to give it better performance properties, it is treated with a Teflon compound. In appearance, it resembles suede, because the villi lie in a random direction. Being a universal material, microvelour is used for upholstery of sofas and armchairs.
Modern upholstery furniture fabric microvelour has the following characteristics:
- abrasion resistant;
- retains its original color for a long time;
- hypoallergenic and antistatic;
- Allows air to pass through and repels dust.
Differences and similarities between velour and microvelour
Microvelour is a close relative of the furniture covering velour, they are very similar in appearance. However, velour and microvelour have the following differences:
- The pile length of microvelour does not exceed 1 mm, while that of velour is longer – up to 3 mm.
- The weaving of the base of microvelour is done in honeycombs, and its relative resembles the Latin letter W.
- Furniture velour is a denser fabric than microvelour.
- Microvelour is treated with a special coating that makes the material resistant to dirt.
What else is the difference between velour and microvelour? How to iron and wash velour? It can be hand washed, ironed from the inside. Velour is easy to care for, since things made of this material practically do not wrinkle. A velour sofa in the interior will create a feeling of coziness in the entire room. But it is very sensitive to mechanical damage. Cat claws will thoroughly spoil the appearance.
Comparison with other upholstery materials
Another popular material for furniture upholstery is flock.
It has the following advantages:
- pleasant to the touch;
- durable, pet claw resistant;
- does not cause allergies;
- moisture resistant;
- resistant to fading.
The pile is longer than that of microvelour, but the base is non-woven.
No less famous is chenille, a woven, extremely durable material with a velvety surface.
It has the following characteristics:
- increased wear resistance;
- environmental friendliness;
- color fastness;
- pleasant to the touch fabric.
The disadvantage is the property to absorb water very well.
Rogozhka is an equally popular upholstery material.
The main distinguishing feature is the rough interweaving of threads of different density and texture. The result is a checkerboard relief of attractive texture. It is a close relative of chenille.
What is better - microvelour, flock, burlap or chenille? It's a matter of taste and wallet. But it's important to keep in mind - it's better not to use burlap if you have a cat or dog in the house.
Important information! Flock and microvelour are also close relatives. They are created using the same technology by spraying short pile onto the base. They resemble velvet in appearance and feel. Both have a water-repellent surface.
Where to place furniture with microvelour upholstery
Since the fabric absorbs odors and cannot be washed, the best place for furniture with microvelour upholstery would be the living room or bedroom.
For the living room, you can choose any color scheme and thus complement the interior with bright colors. For the bedroom, the choice will be successful, since, except for the owners themselves, no one else usually sits on the furniture. It will last longer.
For the hallway, it is better to buy leather furniture, since it is easier to clean dirt from it. In the kitchen and dining room, there is a high risk of staining the upholstery with food.
Modern sofas with microvelour upholstery come in the following types:
- Straight - a classic, standard rectangular sofa.
- Corner - fits comfortably into a small room, can be folded out and used as an extra bed.
- Island ones are an ideal option for spacious rooms and can be placed in the center of the room.
A popular type of finishing is carriage stitching. The furniture upholstery is stitched with buttons to create a diamond-shaped pattern reminiscent of the upholstery in a royal carriage.
Fabric care
The fabric does not require too much attention. Standard vacuum cleaning is enough to clean it from dust and dirt. Do not wash or wet it. This can damage the Teflon coating. Stains from food, toothpaste, sauces can be successfully removed with a damp cloth or a cloth soaked in soapy water. You can prepare a solution of baking soda.
Furniture cleaning
Before cleaning furniture, you need to determine what product the manufacturers allow you to use. The label may indicate:
- W - you can use a water-based product;
- S - the product must be alcohol-based;
- SW - the cleaning agent can be either water-based or alcohol-based.
To clean furniture you will need:
- detergent selected according to the description on the label;
- spray;
- sponge;
- paper towel or clean cloth;
- vacuum cleaner with various attachments (brushes).
Cleaning sequence:
- Collect crumbs, dust, and debris from the surface using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush, and clean all corners.
- Test the cleaning agent on a small, inconspicuous area of the upholstery. Spray, blot with a clean cloth and leave to dry. Check the area after an hour - there should be no change in color or texture of the fabric.
- If the product is suitable, apply it to stains and dirty areas, wipe with a sponge or towel. They should always be clean, so as not to spread dirt all over the sofa.
- Leave to dry.
- Smooth the material with a soft brush.
Important information! It is necessary to wipe off any stains that form immediately, not to let them soak into the fabric. Old dirt can be wiped off with alcohol or vodka. Vacuuming is necessary once a week.
By following simple care rules, you can significantly increase the service life of your furniture finish.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the fabric are as follows:
- eco-safety - the fabric does not harm the environment and health;
- strength;
- moisture resistance;
- huge selection of colors;
- resistance to fading;
- budget price.
There are few disadvantages:
- requires special care;
- some species are of low quality
Reviews
Milana, 26 years old:
"I work as a decorator and clients often ask me to give a second life to their old things. If it is necessary to update the upholstery of a sofa or armchairs, I used to always suggest flock. It is quite durable and wear-resistant. But recently I saw a new upholstery fabric at an exhibition. I asked the factory representatives what kind of material it is, microvelour? After a detailed explanation and demonstration, I now use only it. It has proven itself very well in work, and most importantly, it really gives a second life to favorite interior items."
Angelina, 36 years old:
"I ordered a sofa with rich blue microvelour upholstery for my living room. They say that blue in the interior has a positive effect on the mental state, it has a calming effect. Psychologists did not deceive. It is very good to relax on such a sofa after work. The upholstery is pleasant, soft and velvety. I accidentally spilled tea, we successfully removed it with a paper napkin, there was no trace left. I am very happy with the purchase."
A velour sofa in the interior will look luxurious and rich. But using microvelour as upholstery will allow this luxury to remain much longer.
