One of the greatest sources of strife within the family - kids staining upholstered furniture - may soon become a thing of the past as a result of the growth of beautiful, stain resistant and cleanable Sunbrella brand performance fabrics that can take everything little hands and feet can dish out.
"Everyone remembers times from their childhood when they got into trouble when they spilled a soda, put their dirty feet on the sofa or tried to eat in the living room while watching television," said Gina Wicker, design director for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, makers of Sunbrella performance fabrics.
"Spills and stains are just a natural part of raising kids, but with today's stain-resistant Sunbrella furniture fabrics clean-up is a snap," she continued. "The day has come when moms, dads and kids can enjoy beautiful furniture and never worry about whether the furniture might be permanently stained."
The technology that created outdoor performance fabrics such as Sunbrella has been extended to interior fabrics. Jacquard weaving, advanced finishes and innovative constructions have given Sunbrella's new performance fabrics the look and feel of fine interiors, without any compromise on cleanability and stain resistance.
"It is really the best of both worlds," Wicker said. "Parents no longer have to delay purchasing new furniture with the fear that it will be ruined by children or pets."
According to Wicker, applications for performance fabrics can be found throughout the home where kids, pets or messy adults are likely to be hanging out. Living, family and dining rooms and kitchens can all benefit from fabrics that are easy to clean. Crisp colors and simple styling also make performance fabrics an excellent choice for children's bedrooms and playrooms.
"Most stains can be removed with mild soap and water," she said, "but you can use chlorine bleach if needed for stubborn stains and never harm the upholstery." Removable cushion covers can be tossed in the wash and lined dried as needed.
"The message for parents is you don't have to delay buying nice furniture, cover your sofa in plastic or chase your kids out of the house," she said. "With stain resistant, cleanable Sunbrella fabrics you can have it all - style, comfort and domestic tranquility."
