Martindale Rub Test: What Rub Count Does Your Fabric Need?
By the JOTEX Fabrics product team · Updated
Short answer
The Martindale test measures how well a fabric resists abrasion. A machine rubs the fabric in a looping pattern against a standard wool cloth until threads break, and the number of cycles it survives is its rub count. As a guide, 15,000 to 25,000 rubs suits everyday home seating and 30,000 rubs or more suits heavy use and commercial seating.
How the Martindale test works
The Martindale abrasion test is the standard way to measure how hard-wearing an upholstery fabric is. It is carried out in a textile laboratory on a Martindale machine, following the international method ISO 12947 (published in the UK and Europe as BS EN ISO 12947).
- Round samples of the fabric are mounted in holders and pressed, under a set weight, against a standard abrasive cloth made of worsted wool.
- The holders move in a looping path called a Lissajous figure, which rubs the fabric in every direction rather than back and forth along one line, much like real use.
- The machine stops at set intervals so a technician can inspect the samples.
- The test ends when the fabric breaks down: for a woven fabric, when two separate threads have broken. The number of cycles completed is reported as the rub count.
So a fabric described as "20,000 rubs" or "20,000 Martindale" survived 20,000 cycles of the test before two threads broke.
What rub count do you need?
There is no single legal minimum for home furniture, but the furniture and fabric trade commonly uses these bands:
| Rub count | Rating | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10,000 | Decorative | Curtains, cushions, throws, headboards |
| 10,000 to 15,000 | Light domestic | Occasional chairs, bedroom seating |
| 15,000 to 25,000 | General domestic | Everyday sofas and dining chairs |
| 25,000 to 30,000 | Heavy domestic | Family sofas, homes with children or pets |
| 30,000 and above | Commercial and contract | Offices, hotels, restaurants, clinics, public seating |
For commercial projects, the rub count is set by the project specification. Busy public seating is often specified well above 30,000 rubs, so check the brief rather than the band.
Does Martindale matter for curtains?
Hardly. Curtains are not sat on or rubbed, so abrasion resistance is not what wears them out; sun, washing and handling are. Many curtain fabrics are never Martindale tested, and a low or missing rub count on a sheer or curtain fabric is no cause for concern. Where it does matter is when a curtain fabric is also used for cushions, headboards or seat pads: then check the rating as you would for upholstery.
What the rub count does not tell you
A high rub count means a fabric resists wearing through. It does not guarantee the fabric will look good for as long. Ask about these as well:
- Pilling. Small bobbles of fibre on the surface. Pilling is tested separately and graded from 1 (heavy pilling) to 5 (none); a fabric can have a high rub count and still pill.
- Light-fastness. How well the colour resists fading in sunlight, graded on the Blue Wool scale from 1 to 8. It matters more than rub count for curtains and for furniture near a window.
- Seam slippage. Whether the weave pulls apart at the seams under strain, which matters for tightly fitted upholstery.
- Fire performance. A separate test entirely. Commercial projects usually require a named fire standard; the rub count says nothing about it.
- Cleanability. How the fabric copes with spills and cleaning, which depends on fibre and finish.
More rubs is not always better at home either. Beyond heavy domestic levels, extra rubs add little for a household sofa, and softness, drape and colour matter as much.
Martindale vs double rubs (Wyzenbeek)
American specifications often quote "double rubs" from the Wyzenbeek test, which rubs the fabric back and forth in a straight line against cotton duck or a wire screen. The two tests use different motions, abradants and end points, so there is no reliable conversion between them. Compare Martindale with Martindale and double rubs with double rubs.
Choosing by rub count: a quick checklist
- Decide the use first: decorative, occasional, everyday, heavy or commercial. Then pick the band.
- For a family sofa, or with pets, aim for heavy domestic (25,000 rubs and up) with a tight weave.
- For a commercial project, ask for the test report, not just the number on a label.
- Check pilling and light-fastness alongside the rub count, especially for sunny rooms.
- Remember that a rub count applies to the fabric only. Foam, frame and making-up decide how long the furniture lasts.
JOTEX fabrics by rub count
Every JOTEX collection with a Martindale rating, grouped by the bands above and updated automatically from the catalogue. The figure is the lowest rating recorded for the collection. Usage shows what each collection is made for; see each collection page for full specifications, or browse velvet and YarnGuard performance upholstery.
30,000 rubs and above: commercial and contract
15,000 to 25,000 rubs: general domestic
| Collection | Rubs | Usage | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| AKARI | 20,000 | CURTAIN | TEKUSU |
| CINEMA | 20,000 | MULTI-PURPOSE | JOTEX FABRICS |
| COMO | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| DANI | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| HANAKO | 20,000 | CURTAIN | TEKUSU |
| LEXI | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| LIBERTY | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| REGENT | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| RINA | 20,000 | CURTAIN | TEKUSU |
| SADAKO | 20,000 | CURTAIN | TEKUSU |
| SANARA | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| THEATER | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| ULTRA | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| VELVET | 20,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| KAYLA | 18,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| LYNN | 18,000 | JOTEX FABRICS | |
| CORA | 16,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| GLAVIN | 16,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| INDIGO | 16,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| KENDLE | 16,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| PEMA | 16,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| RANEY | 16,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| ALASKA | 15,000 | CURTAIN | POSH CREATION |
| AMAYA | 15,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
| ATLANTIC | 15,000 | DIMOUT | POSH CREATION |
| MELA | 15,000 | CURTAIN | POSH CREATION |
| SENTA | 15,000 | DIMOUT | POSH CREATION |
10,000 to 15,000 rubs: light domestic
| Collection | Rubs | Usage | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| DORA | 14,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
Under 10,000 rubs: decorative
| Collection | Rubs | Usage | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANITA | 2,000 | CURTAIN | JOTEX FABRICS |
Frequently asked questions
What does 20,000 Martindale mean?
It means the fabric survived 20,000 cycles of the Martindale abrasion test before two threads broke. That puts it in the general domestic band, suitable for everyday home sofas and dining chairs.
Is 15,000 Martindale good for a sofa?
It is at the bottom of the general domestic band, so it suits a sofa that gets light to moderate use. For a family sofa in daily use, or a home with pets, aim for 25,000 rubs or more.
What Martindale rating do hotels and offices need?
Commercial seating is usually specified at 30,000 rubs or more, and busy public areas often much higher. The project specification sets the figure, so check it and ask the supplier for the test report.
Do curtains need a Martindale rating?
No. Curtains are not rubbed or sat on, so abrasion is not what wears them out. Light-fastness and care matter more. Check the rub count only if a curtain fabric will also be used for cushions or seating.
Is a higher Martindale always better?
Not always. Above heavy domestic levels, extra rubs add little for home furniture, and a high rub count says nothing about pilling, fading or fire performance. Match the rating to the use, then compare the other qualities.
How do Martindale rubs compare with double rubs?
They come from different tests. Martindale rubs in a looping pattern against wool; the American Wyzenbeek test rubs back and forth in a straight line and reports double rubs. There is no reliable conversion, so compare like with like.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing. Contact the JOTEX team to request samples or open a dealer account.