A Martindale rub count is a measure of how well an upholstery fabric resists abrasion. In the test, a sample of fabric is rubbed repeatedly against a standard abrasive material under set pressure until it shows visible wear or threads break. The number of cycles it survives is its rub count. For a fabric sofa, it matters because it gives you a reliable indication of how the upholstery will cope with everyday use, from family movie nights to pets jumping on and off.
As a broad guide, fabrics used on sofas in busy UK homes typically need a higher rub count than those on occasional chairs in a guest bedroom. When browsing our modern fabric sofas UK, or any upholstered piece in our wider sofas UK sale range, understanding this figure helps you match the fabric to the way you live.
The Martindale test is carried out on a machine that holds small circular samples of fabric. Each sample is pressed against a piece of standard worsted wool fabric, which acts as the abrasive, and moved in a repeating pattern that resembles a figure of eight. This motion means the fabric is rubbed in every direction, much as it would be when people sit, shift and get up from a sofa.
The machine counts each cycle. At set intervals, the samples are inspected. The test ends when a defined amount of wear is reached, usually when two threads break or when there is a noticeable change in the fabric’s appearance. The final number of cycles is the fabric’s Martindale rub count.
The method is set out in a recognised international standard, BS EN ISO 12947, which means fabrics tested in different places can be compared fairly. That consistency is what makes the figure useful to shoppers.
There is no single legal threshold for domestic sofas, but the upholstery industry commonly uses broad bands to describe what a fabric is suited to. These are a helpful starting point:
For a main living room sofa, many people look for at least the general domestic band, and households with children or pets often prefer the heavy duty range. Remember that these bands are guidelines rather than guarantees.
A sofa is probably the hardest working piece of furniture in most homes. It is sat on every day, leaned on, napped on and, in many households, climbed on by children and pets. Each movement creates friction. Over months and years, that friction wears the surface of the fabric, leading to thinning, fuzzing or eventually holes.
A higher rub count indicates a fabric that can withstand more of this friction before showing damage. Choosing a fabric with a rub count suited to your household is one of the simplest ways to make sure the sofa still looks good years after it arrives.
The Martindale figure is useful, but it measures one thing: resistance to abrasion. It does not cover every aspect of how a fabric will perform.
Pilling, where small bobbles form on the surface, is assessed separately. A fabric can have a high rub count and still pill, particularly if it contains a blend of fibres. Ask whether a pilling rating is available.
Resistance to sunlight is measured with a separate lightfastness test. A sofa placed beside a large south facing window needs good lightfastness as well as durability.
A rub count says nothing about how easily a fabric can be cleaned. Performance fabrics with stain resistant finishes, or removable covers that can be washed, matter just as much to busy households.
Looped and loosely woven fabrics, such as some bouclés, can snag on claws, buckles or jewellery regardless of their rub count. If you have cats or dogs, a tight, flat weave is usually more practical.
Different fibres and constructions tend to behave in different ways, although the specific weave and finish matter as much as the fibre itself.
The tightness of the weave is often a good clue. Densely woven fabrics generally hold up better to rubbing than loose, open weaves.
It is easy to assume that the toughest fabric is always the right one, but very high rub counts are sometimes achieved with stiffer, more tightly engineered weaves that feel less soft against the skin. For a living room sofa, the aim is a balance: a fabric durable enough for your household that still feels pleasant to sit on for an evening.
If possible, request a fabric sample. Run your hand across it in different directions, press it to check how it recovers and look at it in your own room’s light. A sample also lets you see whether the colour shifts between daylight and lamplight, which can be surprising with some textured weaves. Choosing a fabric this way, with the rub count as one factor among several, usually leads to a sofa you are happy with for longer.
Think honestly about how the sofa will be used. A sofa in a formal sitting room used mainly at weekends has very different demands from one in a family snug where children watch television after school every day.
Consider these questions:
If you answer yes to children, pets or main seating, a higher rub count fabric is a sensible choice, ideally paired with removable covers or a stain resistant finish.
The same measure applies to any upholstered furniture. If you are furnishing a whole living room, it helps to keep durability consistent across matching pieces. Our fabric sofa sets UK make it easy to coordinate a sofa with an armchair or second sofa in the same upholstery.
Dining chairs deserve the same attention. Upholstered seats are sat on at every meal, so a robust fabric pays off. Browse our fabric dining chairs UK sale range for seating that suits daily use. For families, our guide to choosing a sofa for a UK home with young children covers durability alongside other priorities, and the same principle holds for kitchen seating, as our article on whether fabric bar stools suit UK homes with children explains.
Even a very durable fabric lasts longer with good care. Vacuum regularly with a soft brush to remove grit, which acts like sandpaper as people sit down. Rotate and turn reversible cushions so wear spreads evenly. Keep the sofa out of direct sunlight where possible, and blot spills quickly rather than rubbing them.
A throw over the most used seat adds a layer of protection that can be washed easily. If pilling appears, a fabric shaver removes bobbles gently without damaging the weave.
Many retailers list rub counts in a sofa’s product details or specification. If the figure is not shown, it is reasonable to ask. Knowing the rub count, alongside the fabric composition and care instructions, lets you compare sofas on more than appearance alone.
At Furniture in Fashion, we encourage you to look closely at fabric details when choosing a sofa, so the one you bring home suits both your style and the realities of everyday life.
For regular use in most homes, a fabric in the general domestic band of around 15,000 to 25,000 rubs is common. Busy households with children or pets often choose 25,000 rubs and above.
No. Pilling is measured with a separate test. A fabric can resist abrasion well and still form small bobbles on its surface.
No. The double rub, or Wyzenbeek, test is a different method that moves fabric back and forth in a straight line. The two results cannot be compared directly.
Not always. Wool is naturally resilient, while some linens and cottons wear more readily. The weave and finish often matter as much as the fibre.
It is often listed in the product specification. If it is not shown, ask the retailer before ordering.
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