Your old couch isn’t doing so hot. Maybe it’s tattered and torn from years of use. Or maybe an unfortunate spill has left it blotchy and multicolored. No matter the reason, you’ve decided it’s time to replace it, or at least its upholstery.

But what material should your new couch be made of? Two popular options you may be considering are microfiber and chenille. Here, we compare microfiber and chenille and discuss which is the best fabric for your couch.

What Is Microfiber Fabric?

Microfiber is a lightweight, durable cotton alternative made from synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and cellulose.

What Is Chenille Fabric?

This fuzzy fabric is named after the French word for caterpillar. It’s a woven textile manufacturers can produce from various fibers, such as cotton, silk, wool, and rayon.

Which Is Better?

Microfiber vs. chenille: which is the best fabric for your couch? Each has its pros and cons. To help you decide between the two, we compare their performance in four different categories:

Softness

Both fabrics have a pleasant feel, but in terms of softness, chenille wins out. Chenille is fuzzy and plush, and you can really sink into it. Chenille’s unbeatable softness is one of the main advantages of using it for upholstery. Microfiber, on the other hand, feels a lot like suede and is smooth and slippery to the touch.

Colorfastness

Microfiber and chenille are both equally colorfast. They resist UV fading and dilution when washed but can still fade if left out in the sun for months or repeatedly washed using hot water.

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Maintenance

If you’re a parent, pet owner, or prone to spilling, you need a couch that’s easy to care for. Microfiber and chenille are both low maintenance, but microfiber has the edge in this category. Chenille attracts dust—it also tears and stains easier compared to microfiber. Microfiber is tightly woven and resists dust, snagging, and stains.

Price

If you’re operating on a limited budget, microfiber is moderately priced and a very affordable option. Cost-wise, chenille isn’t the cheapest, but it’s not the most expensive fabric either. It costs approximately twice as much as microfiber per yard.

So which should you choose? If you want an ultra-soft fabric, you’ll feel like you’re sitting on a cloud with a chenille couch. But if durability is a major concern, microfiber is likely the better choice, as it holds up wonderfully to wear and tear.