Corduroy sofas: are they durable, and how do you clean them?

Corduroy is back on sofas, and for good reason: it is soft, warm and forgiving. But is it practical for a busy home? Here is what to expect and how to keep a corduroy sofa looking good.

What is corduroy?

Corduroy is a fabric woven with raised ribs (called wales) of short pile. Sofa corduroy usually has wide, soft ribs. Because the pile catches the light, the colour looks slightly different depending on the angle – part of its charm.

Nova round-arm lounge chair in Rust corduroy
Corduroy in Rust on the Nova round-arm chair.

Is corduroy good for couches?

  • Comfortable: soft and warm to sit on – nice in winter, not sticky in summer like leather.
  • Hides marks: the ribs break up the surface, so crumbs, light marks and pet hair are less obvious than on flat fabrics.
  • Hard-wearing: corduroy is a dense woven fabric and stands up well to daily sitting.
  • Watch out for: the pile can flatten where people sit most, and strong sun fades every fabric over time.

Are corduroy couches durable?

Durability depends as much on the cushions and the covers as on the fabric. Two things help a lot: foam that keeps its shape, and covers that come off. If you can wash or replace the cover, a stain or a worn arm does not mean a new sofa. Nova sofas use high-resilience cold-cure foam with zip-off corduroy covers, and every Nova piece has a 3-year warranty.

How to clean a corduroy sofa

  1. Weekly: vacuum with a soft brush attachment, working along the ribs.
  2. Spills: blot straight away with a clean cloth – never rub. Dab with cool water and a little mild soap, blot again and let it air dry.
  3. Flattened pile: brush gently in one direction with a soft clothes brush.
  4. Removable covers: check the care label sewn into the cover and follow it. Wash all covers of one sofa together so the colour stays even.

More tips in our fabric and care guide.

Choosing a corduroy colour

Mid-tones (like Thyme, Sand, Fog or Amber) are the easiest to live with – they hide both dust and dark marks. Very light colours show marks sooner; very dark colours show pet hair and dust. Screens never show fabric colour perfectly, so order a fabric swatch and look at it in your own light, morning and evening.

See the whole Nova corduroy range – sofa beds, corner sofas and a chair in 17 colours.