Upholstered Furniture Applications

Dust covers on the bottom of upholstered chairs and sofas are generally made from spunbonded polypropylene or polyester materials. These fabrics, generally black, hide the internal seating construction and prevent house pets or insects from penetrating the upholstered furniture from below.

Decking fabrics are the materials under the loose seat cushions. Engineered nonwoven fabrics are often used to replace the higher cost outer fabric. These nonwoven fabrics are usually white but can be colored to coordinate with the upholstered furniture's outer fabric. These fabrics are relatively heavy, in the 100-135 grams/meter² range, as they must be strong enough to withstand stretching forces and hold sewing stitches and construction staples.

Cushion and pillow inserts hold the stuffing, such as fiberfill or feathers together to prevent leakage and allow the user to clean or replace the outer fabric. Engineered nonwoven fabrics have captured a high level of penetration by replacing woven cotton materials. Spunbonded materials in this application are usually 40-50 grams/meter².

Spring insulators are often made of needlepunched nonwoven materials. Needlepunched nonwovens are relatively abrasion resistant and have the strength to hold staples that fasten the upholstery to the wood frame.

Upholstered arm and seat are covered with engineered nonwoven fabrics to provide support for the foam or other cushioning materials covering the wooden frame. These nonwoven fabrics must be strong enough to hold construction staples.

Tailored skirts are found on some upholstered sofas and chairs. Spunbonded polyester nonwoven fabrics can be sewn or bonded to the face material providing stiffness or to retain pleats.

Pull Strips are often made from narrow strips of engineered nonwoven materials that are sewn to the upholstery fabrics. The upholsterer uses these strips to pull the fabrics tightly over springs and fasten the material to the wooden frame. Engineered nonwoven fabrics compete with a wide assortment of other materials and must be strong enough to hold the stitching and staples. Often fabric scraps are in this end-use.

Bedding Applications

Quilt backing used in bedding construction is one of the larger end-uses for engineered nonwoven fabrics. Nonwoven fabrics are the backing material to which the mattress ticking and foam or fiberfill is quilted. The quilted nonwoven mattress ticking must be strong enough to resist tearing after sewing the mattress top and bottom to the mattress side panels or flanges. Weights of non-woven fabrics used here vary widely with weights as low 10-15 grams/ meter² and range up to almost 50 grams/meter² where more "puff" is desired in the quilt.

Flanges are the panels of material that surrounds the edge of the mattress and join the mattress top and bottom together. Medium weight spunbonded materials, generally is wrapped individually so that it can function separately and quietly. Needlepunched material is favored because it resists abrasion, has adequate strength and is heat sealable.

Mattress Ticking used on inexpensive mattresses is occasionally made from printed spunbonded polypropylene. Good stability, strength and the ability to accept a print are the key requirements for this application.

Insulators made of various types of engineered nonwoven fabrics are used in mattress construction to cover springs. Needlepunched material is often found here and must have sufficient strength to be fastened into place and resist abrasion.

Other Applications