When it comes to upholstery, durability is a top priority. Many fabric producers make their textiles as durable as possible by using technologically-advanced milling techniques and strong synthetic fibers. But how can you determine just how durable a particular upholstery fabric is? The answer lies in something called “rubs.”
What Does Rub Count Mean on Fabric?
Abrasion resistance is key in the design of durable upholstery. as users of the furniture constantly “rub” against the fabric. In this way, a “rub” durability rating is assigned to the fabric. A “rub” signifies one action upon the upholstery, whether it is sitting down or lifting off the furniture item. A "double rub count" thus simulates both motions: someone sliding onto the couch and then sliding off a furniture item.
Where to Find Rub Rating?
When shopping for upholstery fabric, you'll find a rub rating on the tag. The tag will also have other important information, such as the material, country of origin, cleaning instructions, and more.
Choose Furniture Accordingly
Using the rub rating, choose furniture according to its expected use. This is especially important in the layout of your home or business. If this is a residential project, you may use higher rub ratings for the couch in the living room, whereas you may have lower rub ratings for the chair in the spare bedroom. Similarly, commercial establishments should consider where they intend to place the furniture, but generally they should choose furniture fabrics with higher rub ratings.
Rub Ratings vs Use
Here is a breakdown of upholstery fabric durability ratings and uses.
<15,000 Double Rubs
This rating is considered low-use and is suitable for accent chairs or other furniture that won't see much wear and tear.
15,000 to 30,000 Double Rubs
This rating is considered moderate-use and is suitable for furniture that will be used regularly, such as a couch in a living room.
30,000 to 50,000 Double Rubs
This rating is considered high-use and is suitable for furniture that will be subjected to heavy wear and tear, such as dining room chairs or a couch in a high-traffic area.
>50,000 Double Rubs
This rating is considered very high-use and is suitable for commercial or institutional settings, such as a hotel lobby or hospital waiting room. How many double rubs for commercial upholstery? This is your answer.
Why We Care
As a carpet cleaning company in NYC, why do we care about informing you of these ratings? The answer is that understanding your furniture choices completely will set you up for a game-plan for how to get them cleaned. High rub count furniture will need to be cleaned regularly and will be made of synthetic fabrics, whereas lower rub count furniture will be cleaned less and may have more delicate furniture. At PristineGreen, we want you to become educated on your furniture choices so you won’t have a surprise when that beautiful piece you purchased for the living room is already piling and tearing at the seams.
If you need professional upholstery cleaning in NYC, give us a call today! Or check out our free quote page to request a cleaning for your home or business.
Frequently Asked Questions
For commercial furniture, a rub count of over 50,000 double rubs is recommended to withstand the heavy wear and tear common in institutional settings.
"Double rubs" refer to a durability test that simulates the action of sitting down and getting up from a piece of furniture, measuring how well the fabric can withstand repeated use.
On fabric, rub count signifies the fabric’s ability to resist abrasion. It's an important metric for determining the suitability of fabric for various levels of usage.
The rub rating is typically found on the tag of the upholstery fabric, along with other information like material type, country of origin, and cleaning instructions.
Choose furniture based on its expected use, with higher rub ratings for items in high-use areas and lower ratings for furniture in less active spaces.
A rating of less than 15,000 double rubs is suitable for low-use furniture, such as accent chairs that won't undergo much wear and tear.
High rub count furniture, often made of synthetic fabrics, requires regular cleaning to maintain its appearance and longevity.
