If you’ve been shopping for a sofa, sectional, or custom-upholstered chair, you may have come across the term rub count or fabric rub count on product tags or in a sales conversation without being offered any explanation. Unfortunately, sometimes those experiences can leave you with more questions than answers. You may be left wondering – “What is a rub count?”, “Is a rub count important?”, or perhaps, “What is a good rub count for a sofa?”
Well, the good news is that you’re at the right place to find all those answers! Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we believe furniture shoppers deserve clear, honest answers to their questions – especially when it comes to understanding how long a piece of upholstery fabric might last in their home. So, let’s break it down below.
What Does Rub Count Mean in Fabric?
Rub count is a measurement of a fabric's durability. More specifically, it refers to how many times a piece of fabric can be rubbed back and forth before it begins to show visible wear. So, when you see rub count fabric data on a product tag or spec sheet, you're looking at an estimate of how well that fabric will hold up under repeated use. Think of it as a durability score.
This rub count itself is determined by a lab test called the Martindale Test (more common in Europe) or the Wyzenbeek Test (more common in the U.S.). These tests simulate the kind of friction upholstery fabric experiences during daily use. While both measure wear and abrasion resistance, the testing methods differ slightly. Martindale uses a circular rubbing motion with wool or sandpaper, while Wyzenbeek uses a back-and-forth motion with cotton duck fabric.
Because of these differences, a fabric tested under one method may yield a slightly different rub count than if it were tested under the other. For this reason, many upholstery manufacturers and furniture makers will also specify which testing standard was used on the tag or product specification sheet. Regardless of which test is used, the result is a number, often referred to as double rubs, which represents one back-and-forth motion of the testing machine.
What Is a Good Rub Count for a Sofa or Other Upholstery?
Great question – and one we get a lot. Frankly, this is the real question that most consumers are asking when they go down the rub count rabbit hole. Generally speaking, the higher the rub count, the more durable the fabric. But what qualifies as good enough for you depends on where and how the piece of furniture will be used in your home.
Rub Count Ranges & What They Mean
- Under 10,000 Double Rubs: This fabric is low durability and not ideal for seating. These fabrics are best used for decorative purposes like accent pillows, curtains, drapes, bedding, etc.
- 10,000 – 14,999 Double Rubs: Suitable for light residential use. These fabrics are okay for formal sitting areas that don’t get a lot of traffic, but they are not the best for pieces that see consistent, regular use.
- 15,000 – 24,999 Double Rubs: This is the sweet spot for many consumers as it balances durability and affordability. These fabrics are suitable for standard residential use. Most everyday sofas, sectionals and other pieces of upholstered seating fall into this range.
- 25,000 – 49,999 Double Rubs: Fabrics in this range are considered high durability and may be marketed as performance fabrics. These upholstery fabrics are better for family rooms, active households, and homes with pets or kids.
- 50,000+ Double Rubs: This range of fabrics offers commercial-grade durability. Ideal for use in rental properties, waiting rooms, hospitals, or really anywhere else you’d like furniture that is made to last. However, don’t let the term commercial grade fool you, as many modern residential performance fabrics also have rub counts in excess of 50,000.
So, if you’re asking, “What is a good rub count for a sofa or other upholstered seating? – for most homes, something in the 15,000 to 25,000 range is perfectly sufficient. But if you have a high-traffic home with kiddos or pets who love to claim the couch, you will likely benefit from upholstery with a 25,000 rub count or more.
Why Rub Count in Upholstery Matters
While it isn’t the only factor to consider, fabric rub count is one of the best indicators of how well an upholstered piece will hold up over time. Rub count is especially useful for comparing custom or special order options where different fabrics may look the same but wear very differently. For instance, two fabrics may be the same color and style, but one could wear out much faster than the other based on factors like its rub count rating and the type of fiber it’s woven from..
It’s also helpful when weighing the pros and cons of performance fabrics vs. traditional upholstery fabrics. In addition to extra stain-resistance and easy cleaning properties, most performance fabrics also feature rub counts in the 30,000+ range. In fact, some olefin Revolution Fabrics feature rub counts as high as 100,000+, while some polyurethane leather alternatives like UltraComfort’s Brisa fabric boast rub counts as high as 300,000!
Which Fabric Rub Count Is Right for Your Next Sofa?
So, let’s recap. A rub count is a measure of how durable an upholstery fabric is based on how many rubs it can take before showing wear. While it’s certainly not the only thing to consider, it is one way to estimate how long a piece of upholstered seating might last before the fabric starts to break down. Perhaps most importantly, rub count gives consumers a simple, objective way to compare different fabric options beyond just looks and feel, ultimately helping you choose the best upholstered furniture for your needs.
At Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we challenge our customers to choose fabrics that make sense for how they really live. Whether you’re outfitting a formal sitting room, a kid-friendly hangout zone, or anything in-between, our design team is standing by and ready to walk you through your options so that you can make the best choice for you. Swing by the Design Center at any of our four North Georgia and Metro Atlanta furniture stores to see and feel our thousands of custom upholstery fabric options for yourself!
