What Is Olefin Fabric?
What is olefin fabric?
Olefin is a synthetic fiber (also called polypropylene) known for being inherently stain-, fade-, and moisture-resistant. Because the resistance is built into the fiber itself rather than applied as a coating, olefin doesn't lose its performance over time the way treated fabrics can. It's strong, lightweight, colorfast, and easy to clean — which is why it's widely used for performance upholstery. Revolution Performance Fabrics are woven from olefin, are bleach-cleanable without discoloring, and are made in the USA.
If you've shopped for performance upholstery fabric, you've probably seen the word “olefin.” It's one of the most practical fibers for everyday furniture, but it's not always well explained. Here's what it is and why it matters.
What olefin is made of
Olefin is a synthetic fiber made from polypropylene. Unlike fibers that rely on a surface treatment for stain resistance, olefin's resistance is part of the fiber's chemistry. The color is also added during production (solution-dyed), which is why olefin is so colorfast and fade-resistant.
Why olefin is good for upholstery
- Inherent stain resistance — built into the fiber, so it doesn't wear off
- Fade resistance — solution-dyed color holds up to light and washing
- Moisture resistance — olefin doesn't absorb water readily, so spills sit on the surface
- Durability — strong and abrasion-resistant for daily use
- Easy cleaning — many olefin fabrics, including Revolution, are bleach-cleanable without discoloring
How to care for olefin fabric
Olefin is easy to clean but has a couple of important rules. It can be damaged by high heat, so avoid hot-water extraction or aggressive steam cleaning unless done professionally. For Revolution olefin fabric, most stains clean with a bleach-and-water solution (about 2 oz bleach to 30 oz water) without discoloring. Avoid solvent-based cleaners and after-market fabric protectors, which can break down the fibers and void the warranty, and skip vacuum power-brush attachments. Full steps are in the Revolution cleaning instructions.
Olefin vs other performance fibers
Olefin's strength is inherent, built-in performance at an accessible price, with excellent stain and fade resistance for indoor upholstery. Other performance fabrics may rely on applied treatments or are engineered primarily for outdoor UV exposure. For an indoor sofa or chair that needs to be soft, durable, and easy to clean, woven olefin like Revolution is a strong fit.
Frequently asked questions
Is olefin fabric good for furniture?
Yes. Olefin is durable, stain-resistant, fade-resistant, and easy to clean, which makes it well-suited to performance upholstery for sofas and chairs.
Is olefin the same as polypropylene?
Yes. Olefin is a fiber made from polypropylene; the terms are often used interchangeably in textiles.
Can you bleach olefin fabric?
Revolution olefin fabric is bleach-cleanable and won't discolor, even in dark colors. Always follow the specific fabric's care guidance.
Does olefin fabric fade?
Olefin is highly fade-resistant because the color is added during fiber production (solution-dyed), making it colorfast.
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