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Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that health, safety, and overall wellness have taken precedence for everyone.
In turn, it has affected our household purchasing choices as we are constantly looking for ways to keep our homes clean, tidy, and disinfected.
A stain on the sofa that would once go unnoticed suddenly seems glaring. Crumbs between the cushions feel apparent. A lingering smell is unsettling.
As a result, La-Z-Boy has made it a priority to safeguard our client’s health and wellness in home furnishing. While still portraying style and comfort, we also offer an option that combats unwanted bacteria and protects loved ones.
Introduced in the back end of 2020, Antimicrobial fabrics are a fairly new performance upholstery option offered at La-Z-Boy. This specialty fabric upgrade features advanced furniture technology that keeps mildew, odour, and mould off of the surface of the fabric. How’s that for keeping your furniture fresh?
But you’re probably wondering, what is this technology, and how does it work? This article will detail everything you need to know about our antimicrobial covers at La-Z-Boy and if this upgrade is right for you.
In This Article …
- What is Antimicrobial Fabric?
- Is Antimicrobial Fabric Safe?
- Available Covers: Colours, Patterns, Textures
- Cost of Antimicrobial Fabric
- Warranty
- Recommended Cleaning & Care Instructions
- Is Antimicrobial Right for You?
What is Antimicrobial Fabric?
So, what is an antimicrobial cover, and how does it work?
Antimicrobial covers feature an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth. In turn, the antimicrobial properties inhibit the growth of mould, mildew, and odour-causing bacterial cells.
The antimicrobial solution is mixed in a bath. The fabric is then submerged into the solution, followed by drying to cure the silver technology into the materiall. Once this process is completed, the solution will deny any bacterial cells in the environment from spreading to other parts of your upholstered furniture.
It is important to note that while Antimicrobial fabric fights against different types of bacteria, there is NOT antimicrobial resistance against viruses or other germs. Further, owning furniture upholstered in an antimicrobial fabric does not mean it will destroy microbes floating in the air.
While your antimicrobial fabric will protect you from bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, tetanus, and food poisoning, it will not protect you from viral infections, such as influenza, measles, polio, and COVID-19.
The benefits of Antimicrobial fabric do not end with protection against bacteria. Most Antimicrobial fabrics at La-Z-Boy are also performance and iClean fabrics. These fabrics are durable and easy to clean and withstand wear to maintain their appearance over time.
Antimicrobial Leathers
In addition to antimicrobial fabrics introduced at La-Z-Boy, antimicrobial leathers are now available. Made by adding an antimicrobial coating spray, these new custom leathers are then dried to cure the top coat, which includes the silver technology.
This non-allergenic and family-friendly leather coat solution denies bacteria an environment to grow, controlling odours, mould and mildew before it happens
The antimicrobial treatment won't wear off during daily use or standard leather cleaning. This means that your leather will last longer and stay fresher than other leathers.
To learn more about our Leather Selection at La-Z-Boy, or if you’re interested in the comparison between Fabric vs Leather, take a look at these articles.
Is Antimicrobial Fabric Safe?
Yes, Antimicrobial covers are safe. But you will feel more reassured with a deeper understanding of its properties and how it is made.
Antimicrobial fabrics by La-Z-Boy include silver, a liquid metal that has been known since ancient times to have properties that effectively inhibit bacterial growth, deactivating it on contact. The silver agent is also used on antimicrobial leathers.
Silver is safe and considered non-toxic and non-allergenic, meaning they do not harm the human body. Normal day-to-day contact with solid silver coins, spoons, or bowls has not been found to affect human health. In turn, silver is highly effective and long-lasting as an antimicrobial agent, ideal for use in fabric and leather.
Available Covers: Colours, Patterns & Textures
While the central purpose of Antimicrobials is health and safety, we have not forgotten comfort and style!
Antimicrobial fabrics are offered in 9 different colours and 5 vibrant patterns. Within this selection, you will find everything from solids, tweeds, geometric prints, and polka dots.
Antimicrobial leathers, while a newer feature at La-Z-Boy, include 2 different textures in an assortment of 10 colours. Colours for antimicrobial leathers include brown, grey, black, beige and dark blue.
Mary Lee specifically loved working with the polka dot fabric called Kaia. This polka dot pattern comes in blue, cream, and brick. She says it is a great layering pattern and looks fantastic on an accent piece.
Cost of Antimicrobial Upgrade
Fabric Grade
As previously mentioned, Antimicrobial is a collection of solid colours and patterns. These choices also range in “grade,” including E, G, L, and N. As a result, the cost of the Antimicrobial fabric can increase as the desired fabric grade increases.
Additional Performance Features
Further, select Antimicrobial fabrics and leather can double as iClean Covers , and some fabric covers also have the added designation of Pet Friendly. These additional performance features will ultimately increase the overall cost of the Antimicrobial upgrade.
Size & Features of the Furniture
To give you a better idea of the cost, a designer chair with an E grade Antimicrobial fabric upgrade will cost an additional $170 to $200. An N top-grade fabric upgrade will cost an additional $340 to $350.
Regarding recliners, stationary sofas, and reclining sofas, an E-grade Antimicrobial fabric upgrade will cost an additional $420 to $490. An N top-grade upgrade will cost an additional $700 to $760.
*All La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change. We aim to update all cost-related articles twice per year. This article was last updated in October, 2022. Please visit lzb.com and select an Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy store location to view the most up-to-date pricing.
Warranty
After discussing the cost, it is clear that the Antimicrobial fabric upgrade does come at a cost. Not to worry because this investment is protected. The Antimicrobial fabric is covered by La-Z-Boy’s manufacturer’s warranty.
La-Z-Boy’s warranty protects your products from manufacturing defects, not accidents or normal wear associated with everyday use. Although La-Z-Boy upholstery, especially specialty performance covers, is high-quality and durable, nothing lasts forever. With regular use, they are susceptible to normal wear over time.
With this, the Antimicrobial covers are covered for 1 to 3 years. Antimicrobial receives the standard 1-year warranty, while the Antimicrobial iClean cover has a 3-year warranty.
If you wish to have additional coverage that extends beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, you may consider La-Z-Boy Ottawa & Kingstons Furniture Protection Plan. At an additional cost, this plan extends your warranty coverage for 5 years. Within these 5 years span, La-Z-Boy will cover the cleaning or repair of accidental damage and stains.
To learn more, check out Is La-Z-Boy’s Extended Warranty Service Plan Worth it?
Recommended Cleaning & Care Instructions
To avoid calling on the warranty, La-Z-Boy’s Antimicrobial fabric can be maintained with standard cleaning.
To remove dust, dirt and grime, gently take the upholstery attachment of a vacuum to the cover, seams, and between the cushions.
For a deeper clean, Antimicrobial fabric is cleanable with mild soap and a distilled water mixture.
The antimicrobial treatment won’t wash away during a standard cleaning process. In fact, this will help the fabric last longer and stay fresher.
Is Antimicrobial Right For You?
Because antimicrobial covers are a newer specialty cover from La-Z-Boy–especially antimicrobial leathers–some individuals may not know of its existence. With that being said, Antimicrobial covers might be something you didn’t know you needed!
Ultimately, Antimicrobial covers are beneficial for everyone. In this day and age, a self-operating technology that combats bacteria in your home is very appealing.
More specifically, the Antimicrobial upgrade is ideal for the elderly and those with mobility issues or an injury. These clients tend to spend a significant amount of time in their recliner or lift chair in order to rest their joints and recover.
With such time spent on a piece of furniture, the Antimicrobial upgrade ensures that bacteria and unwanted odour do not accumulate.
Further, Antimicrobial covers are a great choice for homeowners with small children and animals. The technology will attack whatever bacteria your pup is carrying on his paws or the smell lingering from a smelly diaper. It will also ensure that the crumbs from your children’s snacks don’t turn into mould between your seat cushions.
Finally, Antimicrobial is also ideal for those who suffer from allergies. Since the covers are non-allergenic, they will act against common allergens such as dust, mildew, and mould.
What's Next?
If you are excited about the Antimicrobial upgrade at La-Z-Boy, then you will be happy to know that there will be much more where that came from!
Although our antimicrobial fabrics have been around longer, our current selection of Antimicrobial leathers is an introductory group. This is just the beginning of this offering, as there will be more Antimicrobial covers–fabric and leather alike–that undergo this testing, ultimately increasing the selection.
Visit us at a local Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy showroom or schedule your visit to view our current Antimicrobial cover selection.
Our expert consultants will help you with your furniture and fabric selection to ensure that you find exactly what you are looking for.
You may also consider taking advantage of our interior design services. One of our talented interior designers, such as Mary Lee, can help you incorporate that cute polka dot Antimicrobial fabric into your home decor seamlessly or whatever style you prefer.
We look forward to meeting you when you come in!
Last Edited On January 12th, 2023