Chenille’s

Chenille’s are lovely, soft, sumptuous and fluffy fabrics – indeed the name derives from the French for caterpillar given the fluffy and soft nature of caterpillars.

 A chenille is good for the type of furniture where people are looking for a soft and warm inviting finish, such as a lovely favourite armchair next to a fireplace or a huge feather filled sofa that just invites you to nestle into.

What is a Chenille?

Chenille is a woven fabric that can be made up from a variety of different fibres – rayon, silk, cotton, wool with acrylic being one of the most common fibres to be found in chenilles. Like velvets, chenille’s refer to the way the fabric is produced, as opposed to what the fabric consists of.

Today’s chenille’s are used in many different ways – clothes, curtains, rugs, throws and upholstery fabrics. As an upholstery fabric, it performs well and can definitely hold its own in comparison to other similar priced cloths. It is warm and durable and comes in a huge variety of colours and prints.

How is Chenille produced?

First manufactured in France in the late 1700’s, it is made by weaving two different parts of the fabric together and then cutting into strips and twisting together. The edges of these piles then stand at right angles, giving chenille both its softness and its characteristic look. Chenille will look different in one direction compared to another, as the fibres catch the light differently.

How do you care for your Chenille?

 Chenilles can be a little harder to maintain than other fabrics. This is due to the thick pile which can absorb spills and stains quicker than say a shorter pile or flat weave fabric.

 As chenilles are produced using various fibres, it is important to understand the individual nature of your chosen chenille and how to care for it. Knowing what your chenille is made from will indicate to you how the fabric should be cared for.

 Some chenilles, like our Swish range, are composed of 100% polyester with easy clean technology woven into the fabric. This means you can wipe away even the toughest of stains with a damp cloth and place loose covers in the washing machine, whilst still retaining the sumptuous and soft nature of a chenille. Absolutely perfect for busy households.

Other chenilles can be a touch higher maintenance. It is important to take great care when it comes to more delicate chenilles, for example silk chenilles. Make sure you use cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer and always, always do a test on a hidden piece of the fabric before anything else.

Most chenilles can be vacuumed as hidden dirt can build up in the pile and can be aggressive on the cloth itself whilst harbouring unpleasant smells, although (again) always do an initial test on a hidden area. Regular vacuuming will help extend the life of your chenille furniture as will turning your cushions, which as an added bonus, also helps to extend the life of your cushion interiors.