One double rub equals one sit-to-stand cycle — the industry standard for measuring how long a fabric holds up before it pills, wears thin, or breaks down. Higher is always better. Scores marked with an asterisk (*) are estimated from fabric type, not published by the manufacturer.

Score	Rub Count	Class
10	100,000+	Ultra Heavy Duty / Commercial
9	90,000–99,000	Heavy Duty
8	50,000–89,000	Commercial Grade
7	40,000–63,000	High Residential
5	36,000–50,000	Standard Residential
4	25,000–38,000	Light Residential
3	15,000–30,000	Light Duty
2	12,000–15,000	Delicate / Decorative
N/A*	Not Published	Unknown — penalizes MCD Rating

Measured in ounces per linear yard. Heavier weight signals denser construction and generally means the fabric will hold up longer. Weight isn't scored on the 1–10 scale — it's a reference metric. Asterisked values (*) are estimated or not published by the manufacturer.

Weight	Typical Use
14+ oz	Heavy upholstery, high-traffic
11–13 oz	Standard upholstery
9–10 oz	Light upholstery, decorative
Under 9 oz	Drapery weight, delicate

How well a fabric repels and cleans up spills — based on treatment technology and inherent fiber properties. A high-performance treatment like Crypton or Sunbrella outperforms any untreated natural fiber, regardless of how beautiful it looks in a showroom.

Score	Treatment / Category	What It Means
10	Crypton / Sunbrella / Perennials	Top-tier barrier: stain, moisture, and odor resistant
9	Shield / Revolution / Performance+	Branded high-performance; liquids bead on contact
8	Everweave / Performance / Natural+	Engineered durability; easy spot clean
5	Blend	Moderate resistance; synthetic-dominant blend
3	Natural Blend	Limited resistance; significant natural fiber content
2	Light Treatment	Minimal treatment on natural fiber
1	None / Natural	No treatment; pure cotton, linen, or untreated fiber

What the fabric is made of matters as much as how it's treated. Synthetic fibers — polyester, olefin, polypropylene — resist staining, hold their color, and last longer in everyday use. Natural fibers like linen and cotton are beautiful but unforgiving. This score reflects performance, not aesthetics.

Score	Fiber Type	Examples
10	100% Synthetic	Polyester, Olefin, Polypropylene, Acrylic
9	High-synthetic blend (90%+)	Poly blends, Polypropylene blends, Olefin blends
8	Synthetic-dominant (80%+)	Poly/acrylic blends, polyester felt
7	Synthetic-dominant (65–80%)	Poly/rayon/linen blends
6	Mixed blend	Poly/cotton with 30–50% natural fiber
5	Natural-heavy blend	Wool blends, cotton/poly 50–50
4	Natural blend	Viscose blends, cotton/acrylic, mixed natural
3	Cotton blend / Chenille	Cotton-dominant blends, natural chenille
2	Cotton / Linen blend	High cotton or linen content
1	100% Natural	Pure linen, pure cotton, untreated natural fiber

The MCD Rating is the final score — a single number reflecting overall suitability for everyday residential use. It weighs all four dimensions but is anchored by the weakest one. A fabric can't compensate for a critical flaw just because it excels elsewhere.

The lowest score anchors the rating. A DR 10 fabric with Stain 1 cannot score above a 7 overall.

Missing DR data caps the ceiling. Unpublished double rub counts limit the MCD Rating to 7–8 max, even with perfect scores elsewhere.

Branded treatments earn a point. Crypton, Sunbrella, Perennials, Shield, and Revolution score higher than generic "performance" claims.

Natural fibers penalize heavily. Pure linen or cotton earns an MCD Rating of 1–3 regardless of other factors. These are not upholstery fabrics.

Synthetic blends hold the middle. 60–80% synthetic blends typically score MCD 4–6 — adequate for low-traffic rooms, not ideal for daily use.

9–10

Best in Class

100,000+ double rubs, Crypton or Perennials treatment, 100% synthetic. Top of the category in every measurable dimension.

7–8

Excellent

50,000+ DR or a branded treatment (Shield, Revolution, Sunbrella), all-synthetic composition. A strong choice for most homes.

5–6

Good

Standard performance polyester, synthetic blends, or solid composition with missing DR data. Fine for lower-traffic rooms.

3–4

Fair

Low DR count or significant natural fiber content, limited stain resistance. Best for light decorative use.

1–2

Decorative Only

Pure linen, pure cotton, no stain treatment, low durability. Beautiful on a formal piece that won't see daily use.

A few words that come up repeatedly in fabric specs — defined plainly.

Double Rub (DR)

One back-and-forth motion simulating a person sitting and standing. The Wyzenbeek and Martindale tests measure this. Most residential sofas see 15,000–30,000 rubs per year under normal use.

Wyzenbeek Test

The US standard for measuring abrasion resistance. Cotton duck fabric is rubbed back and forth until two yarn breaks appear or visible wear occurs. Results are expressed in double rubs.

Martindale Test

The European equivalent of Wyzenbeek. Uses a circular motion rather than back-and-forth. Results are roughly comparable to double rub counts, though not identical.

Crypton

A performance fabric engineered with a moisture barrier built into each fiber — not just a surface coating. Resists stains, moisture, odor, and bacteria. One of the most durable upholstery options available.

Sunbrella

Originally developed for outdoor use, Sunbrella is solution-dyed acrylic — color runs through the fiber, not just on the surface. UV-resistant, bleach-cleanable, and rated above 100,000 double rubs. One of the most practical performance fabrics you can put on a sofa.

Perennials

A premium performance line used in high-end residential and hospitality settings. Known for texture and color range alongside commercial-grade durability — often specified by designers who need performance fabric to look like it isn't.

Solution-Dyed

Color is added to the fiber before it's spun, rather than applied to the finished fabric. More resistant to fading and bleaching because the color is embedded throughout the fiber, not on the surface.

Olefin / Polypropylene

A synthetic fiber known for high durability, moisture resistance, and colorfastness. Scores well on both DR and composition dimensions.

Chenille

A yarn — not a fiber — characterized by soft, velvety pile. Looks luxurious but pills, crushes, and snags over time. On pieces with curved backs or tight upholstery, the pile shows wear quickly. Not recommended for high-use pieces.

Viscose / Rayon

A semi-synthetic fiber derived from wood pulp. Soft and drapes well, but weak when wet and prone to shrinking and staining. In upholstery blends, viscose lowers both durability and stain-resistance scores.

oz/yard

The weight of one linear yard of fabric in ounces. Heavier generally means denser construction. 14+ oz is appropriate for high-traffic upholstery; below 9 oz typically belongs on drapes, not sofa cushions.

Asterisk (*)

Any score or spec marked with an asterisk is estimated from industry standards — not sourced from published manufacturer data. MCD Ratings with asterisked inputs are indicative, not definitive, and are updated when manufacturers publish specifications.