Is "microfiber" code for dead animals?
Posted by VegHeadZealia on Jul 27, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 1665 posts
I'm looking to get new couch- a used one- and I keep seeing these microfiber ones....EVEN THOUGH I realize that I would not directly be contributing to whoever poor soul had to die to make leather, I do NOT want one made from animal products. Not only is it disgusting put it perpetuates the idea that using animals is okay and sets a bad example.
Anyone know about microfibers?
I had a microfiber couch that I loved. It was 100% polyester. I will be looking for a new couch soon and want another microfiber couch. Feels soft and sort of looks like suede.
I thought microfiber was man made.
At least that's the extent of my knowledge on it - synthetic, not "nature made."
All the definition means is that it's the tinest, man made fiber possible. At least with today's technology. Apparently, it's thinner than human hair.
I don't think it has anything to do with animals.
I thought microfiber was man made.
At least that's the extent of my knowledge on it - synthetic, not "nature made."
All the definition means is that it's the tinest, man made fiber possible. At least with today's technology. Apparently, it's thinner than human hair.
I don't think it has anything to do with animals.
Yes, polyester which is a synthetic man made fiber. At least all the ones I checked out and the one I had were 100% polyester.
"Microfiber" is just a generic term for thinly extruded filaments woven into a textile. By nature of the extrusion process (all fibers that are extruded are man made), it is vegan, in and of itself. Typically they are polyester (or some derivative), nylon (or some derivative) or olefin, in layman's terms they are plastic. Check the label carefully, microfiber is not enough information to satisfy correct labeling laws. It should say what fiber it is.
Microfibers are desirable because they are generally very soft (think silky, because of the size of the threads) and tightly woven, meaning they are fairly naturally impervious to stains.
Also look in to ultrasuede, which is a synthetic suede (like vinyl is a synthetic leather, in a way). I usually recommend this fabric for my clients who have pets (and I have one myself).
There are issues with the treatments that the manufacturers apply to the textiles which make them stain resistant; I am not sure of their "vegan-ness" but I do know some are environmentally sketchy.
yay. What fast and useful answers. I think I'm gonna see if I can find one that is micro fiber then( I will check the labels..) I love how soft it is. NowNutdragon, you mentioned ultrasuede... is that plasticy or soft? I do need something that works with animals...Gonna be looking for something dark. My doggies chewed up my old couch- thats why I'm looking for new one ::)
yay. What fast and useful answers. I think I'm gonna see if I can find one that is micro fiber then( I will check the labels..) I love how soft it is. NowNutdragon, you mentioned ultrasuede... is that plasticy or soft? I do need something that works with animals...Gonna be looking for something dark. My doggies chewed up my old couch- thats why I'm looking for new one ::)
I had a forest green microfiber (but it was also called microsuede) couch and loveseat. I loved them and they were so soft and one of the most durable fabrics I have ever had on a couch. It withstood 4 cats on it at a time and three dogs. It was my parrot that finally put a hole in it. I only got rid of it because I had mould issues in my place and the couch unfortunately got smelly and yucky from the mould. If I could re-buy the same couch I would. Soft and very comfortable. The place I got it from uses something different than scotch guard and any accident on the couch just wiped off clean. It was guaranteed for 5 years but kept it stain free for about 8. I still want forest green but it seems the new colours are all tans, and light colours. Or reds and blues and I don't want red or blue.
Now that the mould has been taken care of, as soon as my livingroom is fixed up...new floor, paint etc., I will be out looking.
Ultra suede is very soft (like suede); they've been making it a long time and have perfected it's breathability over the years (you don't stick to it). It's usually made like vinyl (extruded in a sheet, unlike woven fibers) and a nap (fuzzy coating) is then applied, so you don't have so many issues with things like spills (or puppy accidents) seeping into the fill. I also specify ultrasuede when ever possible in retirement communities (for obvious reasons).
If there's any real drawback, it's that over time the nap can either rub off or flatten (like velvet). But that usually takes a long time and with repeated wear on one portion of the couch. You'll want to spend as much as you can comfortably afford (sorry, but true) with it, though. The quality of the binders increases dramatically with price.
I want to post pictures of my house and y'all can help me come up with decorating schemes! ;)
Microfibers can be rayon and cotton based too. You probably won't see those in commercially made things like clothing or furniture, but those of us who are addicted to sewing and nice fabric stores do see them.
They are usually polyester or some form of nylon. The thing that makes them so wonderful for clothing is that most of them breathe and wick in a way that you don't find in man-made textiles. Top that off with easy care, no ironing and no wrinkling, they are fast becoming a favorite. This last fall, I purchased some microfiber cloth fashion boots. They feel like buttery suede without the cruelty and the gawdawful stink.
I know when I have bought microfiber textiles by the yard, they are more expensive than their natural counterparts, but I find that they are worth it because of the ease of upkeep and the long-wearing quality of the fibers.
I say go for it! I'd love to see your decorating when you get it done. When my house is finished, I'll be posting a gallery of my efforts. Being too Scottish (and therefore too cheap) to buy new, I have refurbished old wood furniture. Last weekend, I took a nasty, distressed dresser that was orange knotty pine in an Early American style, one I had hated because I didn't like the way it looked, but it held a lot and I needed it. I sanded out where the kids wrote their names when they were little, put Kilz where they had used marker on the raw wood. I drilled holes for smaller pulls and filled the old ones, then I painted it cream white with Rustoleum because I like the hard, shiny and plastic-ish finish it gives. I have been planning this for months, but I was in a quandry about it. I didn't want this distressed dresser to be a cream white centerpiece in my soft green and rosy room. I ended up "antiquing" it by scrubbing walnut stain into every distress mark and quickly wiping most of it off before it dried completely (I had about 5 minutes to get it off). I put on the new pulls which match the walnut tones. End result? A lovely piece of designer furniture! People pay for that much distress and that look. I just let it happen. I still have an old desk, another dresser and a couple of old bookshelves to refurbish before the weather turns to fall.
Ultrasuede is a name brand. There are many knock-offs, but Ultrasuede brand is by far the best (plus they are much more environmentally responsible than many textile manufacturers, not perfect, but better).
When you go to buy what ever piece of upholstered furniture you're planning on purchasing, they should have it on their sample racks for you to choose from (this obviously does not apply to ready-made furniture, but there's not much quality to be had in that realm-think Haverty's). Occasionally you will run across a ready-made piece that has it, but those are usually at trade-only type places and out-of season type markets. (This, by the way is the best way to get a good piece for a great deal. You have to start asking questions to find them, though, most don't advertise and aren't listed.)
Part of the reason that I keep repeating quality quality quality is that there are a lot of parts to your average piece of upholstered furniture and a lot of those parts are from very environmentally sketchy origins. So many people refuse to use certain chemicals and such in their daily lives but they don't think about what their sofa cushion was soaked in to get it stain and fire resistant. Not to mention the labor practices of the factory or the origin of the raw materials. There are options out there, but like all of the H&B items and food we eat, they aren't sold by the big manufacturers for the lowest price.
We toured a plywood plant last year that used formaldehyde in their binders. The company spokesman (after I asked about the content of the glue - there are several manufacturers that have switched to soy based glue) proudly told us that they never allow anyone under 45 years old to work in that portion of the plant. Why, what good employers they are! Gee whiz.
Sorry for the ramble, but as much as you start to think "where does it all end" with the label reading, please be aware that voting with your dollars applies to furniture, too.