12 April 2020

difference between microsuede and microfibre

Bean bags are a fun, comfortable alternative to spare chairs, whether in the living room, kid’s bedrooms, or the media room. Bean bags are often covered in materials like Microsuede or Microfiber, but what’s the difference between the two? Are faux suede beanbags the right choice for a family home, or is a different fabric a better choice?

What is Microsuede?

Microsuede is a type of Microfiber. Microsuede is a humanmade polyester fabric, made up of millions of very fine microfibres. Faux suede has the same feel as genuine suede leather but has less of the problems associated with the real thing. Microsuede is cheaper than genuine suede and is more resistant to wear and stains. It also comes in lots of different colours and can be printed in various patterns.

What is Microfiber?

Microfiber is a term used to describe fabrics with strains less than one denier (a denier is a unit used to measure the linear mass density of fibres). Most humanmade microfibers are made from nylon, polyester, or a combination of both. These fine threads produce lightweight fabrics, that are easy to clean, and are resistant to wrinkles and stains, but still, have a luxurious appearance. They’re popular in clothing, furnishings and cleaning products.

How is Microfiber used?

Microfibers are common for covering furniture, thanks to how easy they are to get clean. But they can also be used in lots of other ways. Microfiber is ideal for making lightweight and breathable clothing. It is popular with athletes, thanks to the fabric's ability to wick moisture away from the body. It can also be used to make cleaning products like cloths and mops. Microfibers are electrically charged, so they can easily trap dust and dirt into the fibres of the cloth. This makes cleaning quick and easy without the need for sprays to get rid of dust. They can also be used to clean grease and fat stains. 

What are the features of Microsuede?

Microsuede is a popular fabric in home furnishings for a lot of reasons. Microsuede and other microfibers have lots of helpful features, including:

  • Great strength, despite the superfine filaments.
  • Improved breathability
  • Sharper contrast in prints
  • Comfortable fibres
  • Durability
  • Easy to care for
  • Water-resistant
  • Drapes well
  • Lightweight
  • Stain-resistant

Any fabrics in your home, especially if you have children or pets, should be durable and easy to maintain. Nobody wants to spend ages trying to clean dirt off a bean bag when they could be relaxing in it instead.  Thanks to the strength of the fabric, the bean bag will stand up well to being used every day, even by children who might be a little rough with it. The fabric is comfortable, making the bean bag soft to sit on and comfortable against your skin.  The resistance to stains and water is ideal for family life, as the bean bag will survive spilt drinks, dropped food and other messes that tend to follow young children. 

How do you clean faux suede bean bags?

Faux suede is easy to clean, which is one of its big advantages. Remember that while it is stain-resistant, Microsuede is not entirely stain-proof, so it will need an occasional clean to keep it looking its best. Always read the label carefully before starting to clean. Some faux suedes are water safe, whereas others must only be cleaned with solvents or dry vacuuming. Check which yours is, and follow this guide to properly and safely clean your bean bag without damaging the faux suede. For most bean bags, a quick vacuum is all you need to get rid of dust and crumbs. 

Are faux suede bean bags good for allergies?

Dust allergies and asthma are very common, and the fabrics you use in your home can help to manage these conditions. Dust doesn’t settle in Microfiber in the same way that it would in a bean bag covered in another cloth. The fine fibres in microsuede stop dust from accumulating too much. Any dirt that does settle can be easily removed with a once-over with the vacuum cleaner. If you or someone in the house has a dust allergy, then faux suede bean bags are a great choice to help them manage the problem. 

Are there any downsides to Microfiber?

Microfiber is popular for cleaning cloths and mops as it can trap dust. This means that any lint, loose threads, pet fur, or hairs will stick to your bean bag more than they would on some other fabrics. Luckily, Microfiber is very easy to clean, so this isn’t too much of a problem to deal with. However, if you have pets, you may want to keep them away from your bean bag to avoid having to clean pet hair off of it every other day.  A light colour microfiber bean bag can also be marked by dark coloured clothing or over-dyed jeans, so be careful with the colour of the bean bag that you choose. A darker shade might be better for a family home. 

What alternatives are there for bean bag fabric?

Faux suede bean bags are a great choice, but they’re not for everyone or all homes. There are lots of other options that might suit you and your lifestyle better.  Vinyl is one of the most common coverings for bean bags, as it is very durable. However, in hot weather, vinyl can get very hot and sticky, which isn’t very pleasant to sit on. Vinyl is also considered to be carcinogenic.  You could buy a cotton bean bag. These are better for hot climates, as the cotton is breathable and very comfortable. However, cotton isn’t very resistant to staining, so it is a bad choice for houses with pets, children, or adults prone to spilling. 

Polyester & Nylon

Polyester and nylon are very popular fabrics for bean bags, as they are very easy to clean. These fabrics are often treated with a special coating that makes them resistant to fading and mould, and repellant to water. 

Leather

A leather bean bag is another good option. These look classy and are very durable compared to almost all other fabrics. However, real leather is not cheap, so treating yourself to a leather bean bag may be a splurge that is outside of your budget. If you can afford it though, a leather bean bag can be a style statement that lasts for a long time.  The right fabric choice depends on where and how you’re going to use the bean bag. If the bean bag is intended to be an accent piece in your bedroom or a spare chair in the lounge, then it’s likely that it won’t be under as much wear and tear as it might be in other parts of the house. This means you can choose a pretty, but not as tough fabric, so you get a wider choice of fabric in order to match your bean bag to the decor in the rest of your bedroom.  If the bean bag is going to be used in a child’s bedroom, or as a chair for the kids in the living room, then you want something that is easy to clean and hard-wearing, like durable polyester or vinyl. Choose a bean bag in a fun colour or a pattern that children will enjoy.   If your bean bag is going to be used as a gaming chair, then you want a sturdy bean bag with plenty of filling so you can use it so sit a little more upright for a comfortable gaming position. A sturdy fabric like leather or faux suede is a good choice. If you’re going to use the bean bag for reading or sitting in front of the TV, then you’ll want something soft and comfortable to sit on. 

Which faux suede bean bag should I buy?

One of our most popular bean bags is our Cocoon Faux Suede Bean Bag. This bean bag is soft, fun, and incredibly comfortable to relax on. The Cocoon Bean Bag is made in a teardrop shape, which is very comfortable to sit on, while the soft faux suede is ideal for snuggling up into when the weather is cold. This bean bag is also very hard-wearing and easy to care for properly.  Our Cocoon faux suede bean bags come in a range of colours so you can match it to your decor. Currently, you can buy one in pastel pink, sand, caramel, charcoal, and orange.  These bean bags are both stylish and functional. They have a sturdy inner lining, which makes the bean bag easy to wash and keep clean. The faux suede is easy to spot clean when needed, but the inner liner can also be removed for machine washing, hand washing, or dry cleaning if a deeper clean is required. The Cocoon bean bag has a YKK safety zip, which you can trust as safe and easy to use for years to come.  This bean bag can also be customised for business use, as well as bought for use indoors in the home. 

Can I buy custom microfiber bean bags for my business?

We can create personalised bean bags for your business, which your guests, customers, or clients are sure to love. Bean bags are a great, budget-friendly choice for outdoor event seating. You can use them at outdoor cinemas or concerts. They are a convenient addition at a trade show booth. Bean bags are comfy, light and easy to transport. They add a sense of fun and colour to an event. We can print your company name, logo, or slogan onto many of our bean bag designs.  This makes them a great choice for your own event or as part of an event sponsorship package.  We’ve created branded bean bags for companies including Uber, Cadbury, Moet & Chandon, Jacobs Creek, Melbourne Music Week, and many more. 

Why buy from Bean Bags R Us?

Bean Bags R Us uses the latest trends and the most fashionable colours. We constantly source new fabrics. And we create the most comfortable shapes. Our modern design choices are used to create a range of bean bags that are versatile and easy to incorporate into your home.  Bean bags are easy to add, flexible, extra seating option in the home. Use them to add an element of fun to your decor. Or give the kids some seating they’ll enjoy in their bedrooms. Or for relaxing in while watching TV or playing games.  When you buy from Bean Bags R Us, you know you’re getting a quality product, with a warranty of one year. All our bean bags are child-safe, with safe fillings and child-proof zips, and all come with clear cleaning instructions to keep your bean bag looking good for a long time. 

Worldwide Shipping

We ship worldwide, so you can get a great quality bean bag from us, wherever you are in the world. For Australian deliveries, we ship through DHL, Australia Post and Startrack Express. International deliveries are made through DHL Express. Whatever you choose, bean bags are a versatile, fun, and comfortable seating choice in the home or for corporate events. Microsuede and other forms of Microfiber are great choices for bean bag chairs, thanks to its durability, ease of cleaning, comfort, and style. Comfortable faux suede bean bags are a great option for lots of uses in the home. Shop online now to see our full range or call us on 1800 888 911 to talk to our team about our stock.

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