Upholstery Fabrics: The Ultimate Guide to Durability for Homes with Kids and Pets

Dec 27th 2025

One of the most common questions receive from customers is "is this fabric durable?" When choosing upholstery fabrics, durability is just as important as color or texture. Whether you have kids, dogs, or cats, selecting a fabric that can withstand everyday wear, spills, and pet claws will ensure your furniture looks great for years. At Fishmans Fabrics, we know that understanding all aspects of fabric durability helps you make smarter, longer-lasting choices. This guide covers everything you need to know before buying upholstery fabric, including stain resistance, fading, pilling, abrasion, tear strength, stretch, maintenance, and suitability for active households:

Key Durability Factors to Consider

When evaluating fabrics, keep the following factors in mind:

  1. Stain Resistance – How easily a fabric absorbs liquids or oils; key for homes with children or pets.

  2. Fading / UV Stability – How well the fabric maintains color over time, especially in sunlight.

  3. Pilling – Formation of small fiber balls from friction; affects appearance.

  4. Abrasion Resistance – Measured by rubs or wear tests; indicates longevity in high-traffic areas.

  5. Tear and Rip Strength – Determines how well a fabric resists pet claws or accidental damage.

  6. Stretch and Recovery – Whether a fabric maintains shape or sags over time.

  7. Cleaning & Maintenance – Ease of cleaning and whether professional care is required.

  8. Moisture / Water Resistance – Important for spills and potential mold/mildew in damp environments– explore our selection of Indoor / Outdoor fabrics if this durability factor is your greatest concern!

  9. Pet and Kid Friendliness – Combines all factors: stain resistance, scratch resistance, durability, and ease of cleaning.

Most Durable Upholstery Fabrics

These fabrics perform well across multiple metrics, making them ideal for high-traffic homes:

Leather

Leather ages beautifully with a patina, and scratches are repairable; check out our Bismarck Leather for the best balance of durability with a natural look and feel

  • Durability: Very high
  • Stain Resistance: Excellent
  • Fading: High
  • Pilling: None
  • Abrasion / Tear Resistance: Excellent
  • Stretch / Recovery: Excellent
  • Cleaning: Wipes easily, low maintenance
  • Kid/Pet Friendly: Yes, but can be scratched by claws

Vinyl

Vinyl is perfect for homes with young children, and it can withstand heavy use.

  • Durability: Very high
  • Stain Resistance: Excellent
  • Fading: High
  • Pilling: None
  • Abrasion / Tear Resistance: Excellent
  • Stretch / Recovery: Very good
  • Cleaning: Extremely easy
  • Kid/Pet Friendly: Yes

Denim

Denim is a durable weave, and it will fade slowly in sunlight; check out our Mac Denim for a strong, durable option

  • Durability: High
  • Stain Resistance: Good (especially dark washes)
  • Fading: Medium
  • Pilling: Low
  • Abrasion / Tear Resistance: High
  • Stretch / Recovery: Good
  • Cleaning: Machine washable for slipcovers; spot clean
  • Kid/Pet Friendly: Yes

Wool

Wool is a strong and resilient fabric, making it ideal for family rooms.

  • Durability: High
  • Stain Resistance: Good (lanolin naturally repels stains)
  • Fading: High
  • Pilling: Low
  • Abrasion / Tear Resistance: High
  • Stretch / Recovery: Excellent
  • Cleaning: Professional recommended
  • Kid/Pet Friendly: Moderate

Tweed & Tapestry

Patterned fabrics like tweeds and tapestries hide stains and wear well.

  • Durability: High
  • Stain Resistance: Good
  • Fading: High
  • Pilling: Low
  • Abrasion / Tear Resistance: High
  • Stretch / Recovery: Good
  • Cleaning: Spot clean; professional recommended
  • Kid/Pet Friendly: Yes (except for claws)

Medium-Durability Fabrics

These fabrics work in family homes with some precautions or in moderate-traffic areas:

  • Chenille: Cozy, soft; can pill and crush over time; moderate cleaning required; the Royal Chenille and Valhalla Chenille/Boucle are particularily durable

  • Bouclé: Looped texture hides wear initially but snags easily; moderate stain resistance; the Gladiator Wool Bouclé is our most durable bouclé, great for residential and. commercial projects

  • Mohair: Soft, luxurious, stain-resistant, but sensitive to pet claws. 

  • Velvet: Dense pile resists abrasion but shows wear and pressure marks; careful cleaning required.

Least Durable Upholstery Fabrics

Reserved for decorative or low-use furniture:

  • Suede & Silk: Fragile, stain-prone, and easily scratched.

  • Cotton: Comfortable but prone to pilling, stains, and fading; requires regular maintenance.

  • Linen: Wrinkles, stains, and fades quickly; however, our selection of linen upholstery fabrics includes synthetic fabrics that have linen look and feel. For example, beefier fabrics such as our Esposito give you the benefits of linen without some of the drawbacks that come with it.

Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Home

Homes with Kids: Leather, vinyl, denim, wool
Homes with Dogs: Leather, tweed, wool, denim
Homes with Cats: Leather, tightly woven tweed or tapestry (avoid loops like bouclé)

If extreme durability is your highest priority, we also ofter Crypton performance fabrics, which are odor and stain resistant. 

Durability is about more than thickness or price. Choosing stain-resistant, fade-resistant, low-pilling fabrics ensures your furniture stays beautiful for years, even in busy households. At Fishmans Fabrics, we carry a wide range of durable upholstery fabrics that balance beauty and longevity. If you are looking for a place to start, check out our best selling upholstery fabrics!