The Designoholic

Most furniture retailers now offer an added fabric protection option to their customers. Read more. Fabric protection sprays have been designed to be used on furniture and make them resistant to stains of any sought. Though these sprays seem effective in their use, there have been concerns on the safety their use on those of those surrounding. The chemicals composition of the sprays has been put to question.

Image Source: Architectural Digest The upholstery fabric for a new sofa or armchair is a big investment—you don’t want to be second-guessing it a few months after the piece arrives on your doorstep. Choose the wrong material and you’ll find yourself battling snags and stains. Make a mistake on the color or pattern, and the whole room suffers (or you’ll wind up splurging to have the piece reupholstered). So before you pick your new upholstery fabric, read on to find out what you should consider in terms of durability, comfort, and style. Here's how to zero in on a fabric choice you’ll be happy to live with for years. Read more. Choosing the right fabric is an arduous process, especially if you are new to the upholstery world. Fabrics come with a host of designs and colors, making the decision process an uphill task. If you intend to upholster something, note that durability is the key aspect to consider. The other things include fabric types and material.

Image Source: I READ LABELS FOR YOU Most upholstered furniture is made with polyurethane foam filling treated with toxic flame retardant chemicals. As polyurethane foam is made from petroleum, you can probably imagine three things – it is toxic, unsustainable, and highly flammable. Most manufacturers who use polyurethane foam use flame retardant chemicals to pass the California TB117 open fire test. As flame retardant chemicals are extremely toxic to humans and eco-system and cause an array of health problems including cancer, I highly recommend flame retardant-free furniture. When the California TB117-2013 becomes effective in January 1, 2015, there is no guarantee that every manufacturer will produce flame retardant-free furniture. The law makers designed the new flammability that way that it is easier to pass it without flame retardant chemicals but the use of flame retardant chemicals won’t be illegal. Read more. Several manufacturers out there have vowed t...