The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Home Textiles

Are home textiles different from textiles used for clothes?

Generally, textiles used for home furnishings are more durable than those used for clothes. This may be because they are naturally stronger and tougher than textiles used for apparel or because they have been treated in some way to make them strong.

What are different textiles for the home?

Some of the commonly used textiles are:

• Velvet: Velvet describes the pile of a fabric and not what it’s made of. Velvet has a thick, short pile that’s no higher than an eighth of an inch on the front. Velvet is made of natural and synthetic fabrics like wool, cotton, linen, or nylon.
• Linen: Linen home textile is a fabric made out of flax fibers.
• Crash: Crash is made of linen home textile, cotton, or jute. It has a coarse, uneven yarn and a pleasingly rough texture. It is used for upholstery and draperies.
• Leather: Leather is the prepared hide of an animal. The animal is more commonly from cows, but can also be from deer, pigs, ostriches, or reptiles. Leather is used for upholstery and wall coverings.
• Nylon: This is a strong, synthetic fiber that resists abrasions, dries quickly, and is easy to maintain.
• Rayon: This is another synthetic fiber that has a base of cellulose. It is often a substitute for silk and is actually more lustrous. Rayon is often blended with other synthetic and natural fibers.
• Wool: Wool is textile from sheep and sometimes from goats, llamas, alpacas or vicunas. It is pleasing to the touch, warm, resilient and even fire-resistant. Because the surfaces of the fibers are scaly, wool can be turned into felt, which is another textile. It is used extensively for upholstery, drapery and carpets.
• Silk: Silk is a surprisingly tough fabric and is often used in high-end rugs, draperies, and bed linens. It is often blended with wool.

How do you take care of textiles for the home?

Caring for textiles depends on what they are made of. Textiles made for outdoor use just need to be wiped with tepid water and mild soap. However, soap should never be used on leather. It is best to keep linen home textiles out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Blot up any spills right away with a clean white cloth.

How much do different textiles cost?

Home textiles can be quite inexpensive as some can be less than a dollar a yard. At the other end of the spectrum, truly sumptuous textiles like silk can be as much as $80 a yard.