Bouclé fabric for a sofa — pros, cons and care

The line can be blurry. Classic bouclé has irregular loops of different sizes that create a distinctly grainy surface. Looped fabrics and knits usually have smaller, more even loops and a calmer overall look.

The Rivestimento collection has both: Boucla is a bouclé knit with a pronounced texture, and Xenia is a soft looped knit with a similarly cosy character.

The texture hides things. An irregular surface conceals small marks, stray hairs and signs of use far better than smooth velvet, which shows every handprint.

Weight and shape. Upholstery bouclé is usually heavy — Boucla weighs 950 g/mb, the most in the Rivestimento collection. A heavy fabric holds its shape well on large surfaces and gives furniture a solid silhouette. With 80,000 Martindale cycles and pilling rated 4–5, it also falls within the heavy domestic use range.

Loops can snag. This is the key feature of bouclé: a sharp object — a claw, a belt buckle, Velcro, jewellery — can catch a loop and pull it above the surface. Do not pull a snagged loop; push it back to the reverse side with a needle or trim it flush with the surface using small scissors.

Demanding edges. A heavy looped structure copes less well with tight bending radii and needs stronger seams. This is mainly relevant for upholsterers and manufacturers, but worth knowing when choosing a model with many seams and sharp curves.

Let us be honest: loops and claws are a risky combination. A cat that sharpens its claws on furniture will snag loops on any loosely structured fabric — bouclé is no exception, rather a textbook example. The Pet's friendly finish that Boucla has helps with everyday use and limits how much dirt clings to the fabric, but it does not make it claw-proof.

If your dog simply lies on the sofa, bouclé usually works well — hair is less visible on it. If you have a cat that scratches, a smooth, dense velvet, which gives claws nothing to catch, is the better choice.

Vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment on low suction — strong suction and a stiff brush can pull loops out. Do not brush bouclé the way you brush velvet: there is no pile to smooth here, only loops that can be caught.

Treat stains as on other upholstery fabrics: blot with an absorbent cloth, do not rub, clean with a slightly damp, light-coloured cloth and mild detergent from the edge towards the centre, and let it dry at room temperature. Rubbing does double damage here — besides working dirt in, it tangles and snags the loops. Do not remove small bobbles with a fabric shaver, as it can easily cut the loops.

If you are choosing between soft textures, this overview sorts out the differences. The specs come from the Rivestimento technical sheets; the descriptive rows are our assessment from working with these materials.

• Boucla — bouclé knit, 950 g/mb, Martindale 80,000
• Xenia — looped knit, waterproof, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
• Order bouclé and looped fabric samples