Martindale Rub Test Explained: How Durable Should Sofa Fabric Be?
Ask about a sofa fabric and sooner or later you will hear a number like 40,000 rubs. That is the Martindale rating, the most widely used measure of how well an upholstery fabric stands up to wear. Here is what it means, the number to look for on each piece of furniture, and the things it does not tell you.
What the Martindale test is
In a lab, a disc of the fabric is rubbed against a standard abrasive cloth in a figure-of-eight pattern under a set weight. Each pass counts as one rub (or cycle). The machine is stopped regularly and the fabric checked; the test ends when two threads break or the wear becomes clearly visible. The rub count is the number of cycles the fabric survived. The higher the number, the more abrasion it can take before it starts to look worn.
What the numbers mean
| Martindale rubs | Typical rating | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10,000 | Decorative | Scatter cushions, throws, curtains |
| 10,000 to 15,000 | Light domestic | Occasional chairs, headboards |
| 15,000 to 25,000 | General domestic | Dining chairs, a sofa that is used lightly |
| 25,000 to 30,000 | Heavy domestic | The main family sofa |
| Over 30,000 | Very heavy domestic / contract | Busy family rooms, pets, rental homes, hospitality |
For the sofa that gets used every evening, aim for 25,000 rubs or more, and 30,000 or more if you have children or a dog. A bedroom armchair or a headboard can happily be 10,000 to 15,000, because nobody slides across it every day.
Is a higher rub count always better?
Not beyond a point. Many polyester fabrics test at 50,000 or even 100,000 rubs because of the fibre, not because they will look better for longer in a home. Once a fabric clears the heavy domestic band, its feel, colour and weave will matter more to your day-to-day happiness than an extra 50,000 rubs.
What the rub test does not tell you
- Pilling. Small bobbles of fibre are measured separately, usually on a 1 to 5 scale where 5 means no pilling. Look for 4 or better.
- Fading. Light fastness is a separate test. A fabric with a huge rub count can still fade in a sunny window.
- Stain resistance. That depends on the fibre and any treatment, not abrasion.
- Snagging. Looped fabrics such as bouclé can score well on abrasion and still catch on claws or jewellery.
- Seam strength. Loose weaves can pull apart at the seams under strain, which the Martindale test does not measure.
What about leather and velvet?
Leather is not rub-tested in the same way; its durability depends on the type of hide and finish. Our fabric vs leather guide covers the trade-offs. Velvet is rub-tested like any woven fabric, and good polyester sofa velvets sit comfortably in the heavy domestic band. If you are weighing velvet up, read our velvet sofa pros and cons.
Fire safety labels
Upholstered furniture sold for homes in Ireland must meet fire safety requirements, and the furniture should carry a permanent label confirming it. If you are buying second-hand or importing a piece yourself, check for that label before you buy.
How to use this when you buy
- Ask for the rub count of the exact fabric, not the range. Different colours of the same range are usually rated the same, but different ranges vary widely.
- Ask for the cleaning code (W, S, WS or X) at the same time.
- Match the rating to the room: heavy domestic for the family sofa, general domestic for dining chairs, light domestic for decorative pieces.
- On a made-to-order sofa, where you are choosing the fabric, it is worth choosing the more hard-wearing option for the seat cushions in particular.
Many of the sofas in our bespoke sofa collection are made to order, so ask us about the rub count of any fabric you are considering when you visit the Portlaoise showroom, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. You can also browse the fabric sofa range online first.
Martindale questions
Is 20,000 rubs good for a sofa?
It is fine for a sofa in a room used occasionally. For the main family sofa, 25,000 or more is the safer choice.
Is 100,000 rubs better than 40,000?
On paper, yes. In a typical home, both will outlast the cushions’ comfort, so choose between them on feel, colour and cleaning code.
