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Cotton duck fabric question

15 years ago

Hello all! I am having a couch reupholstered and have a question for all you fabric divas! I have ordered some swatches and the 2 I'm deciding between are made of cotton twill and cotton duck. The twill says that it is machine washable but the duck says dry clean. Both samples are 100% cotton, so I'm curious why I couldn't machine wash (on cold and line dry) either fabric. Does it have something to do with the way one shrinks over the other? If so, could I prewash the duck before having the couch done to make sure it's good and "shrunk" before it goes on the couch?!

Any advice is most appreciated, as always :)

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Comments (5)

squirrelheaven
15 years ago
Dunno, but always have your fabric pre-washed in the method you will clean it with before making anything out of it.
terezosa / terriks
15 years ago
I wouldn't put 100% cotton upholstery on my furniture period. Not when there are so many upholstery fabrics out there that clean up easily. Cotton is too high maintenance.
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nancy_east
Original Author
15 years ago
terriks and squirrelheaven,

Thanks for the input! Terriks, I'm really clueless when it comes to fabrics and would love to get your opinion on fabrics other than cotton for the couch. I have 2 young children who are really hard on furniture, and I was trying to find something that cleans easily. I don't like the look of microsuede (it had been suggested by a friend of mine for cleanability). The couch currently has some form of cotton twill on it and I've just always removed the covers on the cushions and stuck them in the wash on gentle/cold and they don't fairly well over the last 8 years, and that's why I was considering the cotton to begin with.

So I'd love some opinions on what else I should be on the lookout for that will wear well with kids (and a small dog!) and will not break the bank!

Thanks!!
threedgrad
15 years ago
I have a cotton duck slipcover on my sofa and I have washed it many a time. I like it because the cats are not interested in scratching it at all while the last textured sofa they ripped up.
nmladybug
15 years ago
bump.....I'm really curious too! The only thing I worry about with cotton is how much give it has. I might worry about the cushions looking really stretched out after a very short period of time.

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