Mohair: The Fabric of the Season
Often when you are managing a project, there are so many elements that you must consider it is difficult to be an expert in everything. Here at Fiber-Seal, we specialize in textiles and offer our expertise to assist you. Feel free to consult with us when you are selecting fabrics and carpeting for help with cleanability, as we cater to the maintenance needs of countless clients.
Learn about MOHAIR to help with your selection process.
✓ WHAT IS MOHAIR?
Mohair is a fiber that is produced from the fleece of the Angora goat. Though technically it is a type of wool, mohair is rarely referred to as "wool" (this term is reserved almost exclusively for the fiber that comes from various breeds of sheep.) Angora goats are sheered twice a year to maximize production.
✓ CLEANABILITY
Mohair will generally clean well if not heavily soiled. both wet and dry cleaning methods can be employed if preliminary testing is done.
Vacuuming fabrics on a regular basis to prevent soil buildup is advisable.
For mohair velvets - lightly brushing the nap with a velvet brush will remove soils that the vacuum misses.
Blotting spills gently is advisable to avoid nap distortion
Rotating cushions is another way to prolong the life of fabrics.
✓ TYPES OF MOHAIR
Mohair upholstery fabrics are almost exclusively velvet. This makes mohair unique because all other upholstery fibers are commonly used in several different constructions.
As with other velvet fabrics, the ground yarns (the ones holding the velvet in place) are typically 100% cotton. The 100% mohair pile forms the surface of the fabric and this is the determining factor for all cleaning and maintenance.
RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN SELECTING MOHAIR:
Since mohair is predominantly seen in velvet construction, know that crushing/pile distortion can be a problem. This is usually easily resolved but some clients may not like this look.
Mohair is very resilient and with proper care will hold its appearance over time.
For more comprehensive information - see our TEXTILE TIP (Print and keep for reference).
Don't hesitate to contact us for questions as you are making your selections; we can advise on the cleanability of the fabric. We are also happy to protect the samples that you are considering.
