Microsuede and microfibre are both synthetic fabrics used in furniture upholstery — including bean bag covers — and they're often confused with each other. They share some properties but perform differently in everyday use. This guide explains what each is, how they compare, and which is the better choice depending on how and where you'll use it.
What Is Microfibre?
Microfibre is a category of synthetic fabric made from strands less than one denier — a denier being a unit measuring the linear mass density of fibres. To put that in perspective, microfibre strands are many times finer than a human hair. Most microfibre is made from polyester, nylon, or a blend of both.
The extremely fine strands produce a fabric that is lightweight, soft, and resistant to wrinkles and stains. Because the fibres are so fine, they also create a large surface area — which is why microfibre cloths are so effective at trapping dust and cleaning without chemicals. The same properties make microfibre an excellent upholstery fabric: it's comfortable against skin, easy to wipe clean, and holds up well to regular use.
What Is Microsuede?
Microsuede is a specific type of microfibre. It's made from tightly woven polyester microfibre but manufactured to mimic the look and feel of genuine suede leather — with a slightly textured, velvety surface rather than the smooth finish of standard microfibre.
The result is a fabric that has the aesthetic of real suede — soft, rich-looking, with good drape — but none of the maintenance problems. Real suede stains easily, requires professional cleaning, and deteriorates with moisture. Microsuede is stain-resistant, easy to spot clean, and significantly cheaper. It's also more consistent in colour and texture, since it's manufactured rather than cut from animal hides.
Microsuede is sometimes called faux suede, micro suede, or Ultrasuede (a brand name). For the purposes of choosing a bean bag cover, these are all the same thing.
How They Compare
| Feature | Microfibre | Microsuede |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, soft | Textured, velvety — mimics suede |
| Appearance | Clean, modern | Warmer, more luxurious |
| Stain resistance | Good | Very good |
| Durability | High | High |
| Pet and lint attraction | Moderate — attracts pet hair | Moderate — attracts pet hair |
| Allergy suitability | Good — resists dust accumulation | Good — resists dust accumulation |
| Ease of cleaning | Wipe clean or spot clean | Spot clean; check label for machine wash |
| Price | Generally lower | Slightly higher than basic microfibre |
| Best for | High-traffic areas, active use | Lounging, bedroom, statement pieces |
The practical difference for most buyers comes down to look and feel. Microsuede is the choice if you want a warmer, more premium aesthetic. Standard microfibre is slightly easier to clean and tends to be a little cheaper. Both are durable and suitable for everyday family use.
Features of Microsuede
Microsuede is a strong performer as an upholstery fabric across most practical measures:
- Durable and resistant to daily wear — the tight weave holds up to regular use and rough treatment
- Stain-resistant — liquids bead on the surface rather than immediately soaking in, giving you time to blot rather than absorb
- Water-resistant — not fully waterproof, but handles incidental spills well
- Comfortable — the soft, velvety texture is pleasant against skin and doesn't get hot the way vinyl does
- Lightweight — easier to move and reposition than heavier upholstery fabrics
- Good for allergen management — dust doesn't settle into microsuede the way it does into looser-weave fabrics
- Drapes well — holds its shape without bunching or pulling
For a family home with children or pets, microsuede is a practical choice. It handles spills, withstands rough use, and cleans up without much effort. For a full comparison of all bean bag fabrics, see our complete bean bag fabrics guide.
Microsuede vs Real Suede
Real suede is a natural material made from the underside of animal hides — soft, distinctive in texture, and genuinely luxurious. It also stains readily, absorbs moisture, and requires professional cleaning. It's not a practical choice for furniture that gets regular use.
Microsuede replicates the look and feel of real suede closely enough that most people can't tell the difference at a glance. It's significantly more durable, easier to clean, and considerably cheaper. For bean bags specifically — where the cover gets sat on daily and needs to be washable — microsuede is the better choice in almost every scenario. Real suede is a consideration only if you specifically want natural materials and are prepared to accept the maintenance trade-off.
Downsides of Microfibre and Microsuede
Both fabrics attract lint, loose threads, and pet fur more than some other upholstery materials. The same fine-fibre structure that makes them soft also gives static a grip on stray hairs and fluff. If you have pets that shed, expect to vacuum the bean bag regularly.
Colour choice matters more with microfibre and microsuede than with some other fabrics. Dark clothing — particularly overdyed denim — can transfer colour to a light-coloured microfibre surface. For homes with children or heavy daily use, a mid-tone or darker coloured bean bag is a more practical choice than pale or white options.
Neither microsuede nor microfibre is fully waterproof. They handle incidental spills well, but they're not suitable for prolonged outdoor use or poolside settings — for those applications, see our outdoor bean bag range which uses UV-stabilised, water-resistant fabrics specifically designed for outdoor conditions.
Cleaning Faux Suede Bean Bags
Microsuede is low-maintenance but not zero-maintenance. Always check the care label before cleaning — some faux suede covers are machine washable, some are spot-clean only, and some require solvent-based cleaners rather than water.
For routine cleaning, a vacuum with an upholstery attachment removes dust and debris without risk of damaging the fabric. For spills, blot immediately with a clean cloth — don't rub, which spreads the stain into the fibres. For most stains, a small amount of mild soap and water applied with a damp cloth and then blotted dry is sufficient.
Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach, and abrasives — these can damage the fabric's surface finish and strip any stain-resistant treatment. For a full step-by-step guide, see our post on how to clean microsuede furniture and our general bean bag cleaning guide.
Microsuede and Allergies
Microsuede and microfibre are good choices for households where dust allergies or asthma are a concern. The tightly woven structure of the fabric prevents dust from accumulating in the way it does in looser-weave textiles, and any dust that does settle on the surface can be removed quickly with a vacuum.
Both fabrics are also hypoallergenic in the sense that they don't harbour bacteria or mould under normal conditions. They're a practical alternative to natural fabrics like cotton or wool, which can hold allergens more readily.
Other Bean Bag Fabric Options
Microsuede is an excellent all-rounder but it's not the right choice for every situation. Here's how the main alternatives compare:
Cotton — breathable and comfortable in warm climates, but stains easily and isn't a practical choice for homes with children or pets. Better suited to low-traffic adult spaces.
Polyester and nylon — durable, easy to clean, and widely available. Often treated with UV-resistance or mould-inhibiting coatings. A solid everyday choice that's usually cheaper than microsuede. See our post on the differences between nylon and polyester for more detail.
Leather — highly durable and looks premium. Real leather requires conditioning and doesn't handle moisture well; faux leather is more practical. A good choice for adult spaces where aesthetics matter and the bag won't take heavy daily punishment. Our leather bean bag guide covers what to look for.
Outdoor fabrics (olefin, 1680D polyester) — UV-stabilised and water-resistant. The only appropriate choice for full outdoor or poolside use. Not necessary for indoor use and generally less comfortable than microsuede against skin.
Which Faux Suede Bean Bag Should You Choose?
Our Cocoon Faux Suede Bean Bag is one of our most popular indoor options — a teardrop shape in soft faux suede with a sturdy inner liner and a removable cover that can be machine washed. It comes in pastel pink, sand, caramel, charcoal, and orange. It's a practical everyday bean bag that looks good and handles family use without requiring careful treatment.
If you're not sure which fabric is right for your situation, our complete fabrics guide covers every material in detail, and our full bean bag chair range includes filters by fabric type so you can narrow down your options quickly.
