What Is Antimicrobial Fabric? A Complete Guide to La-Z-Boy’s Antimicrobial Upholstery

Est. Reading Time: 7 Mins

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, health, safety, and overall wellness have become top priorities in our daily lives. As a result, these concerns now influence how we furnish our homes. Today’s homeowners want furniture that offers comfort and style while also supporting a cleaner, healthier living environment.

At La-Z-Boy, we understand the importance of creating a home that feels safe and inviting. That is why we offer antimicrobial fabric upholstery, a specialty cover option designed to help protect against bacteria, mildew, and odour-causing microbes without sacrificing comfort or design.

To help break down how antimicrobial upholstery works and who benefits most from it, we spoke with Mary Lee Smyth, interior designer at La-Z-Boy Kingston. With years of experience helping homeowners across Ottawa, Gatineau, and Kingston, Mary Lee shares expert insight on how antimicrobial fabrics fit into both everyday living and long-term furniture investment decisions.

Key Takeaways:

Antimicrobial fabric upholstery helps inhibit the growth of bacteria, mould, and mildew on furniture surfaces.
La-Z-Boy offers both antimicrobial fabrics and antimicrobial leathers across select furniture styles.
These covers often include performance features like stain resistance and easy cleaning.
Antimicrobial upholstery is ideal for homes with kids, pets, allergies, or mobility needs.
La-Z-Boy antimicrobial covers include a manufacturer’s warranty, with optional extended protection plans.
Available at La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau, and Kingston locations with flexible financing options.

In This Article...

What Is Antimicrobial Fabric?
Is Antimicrobial Fabric Safe for Your Home?
Cost of Antimicrobial Upholstery at La-Z-Boy
Antimicrobial Fabric Warranty Coverage
Recommended Cleaning and Care
Is Antimicrobial Fabric Right for You?

What Is Antimicrobial Fabric?

Antimicrobial fabric is upholstery that has been treated to help reduce the growth of harmful microorganisms on its surface. At La-Z-Boy, this protection is achieved with a silver-based antimicrobial treatment known for its natural antibacterial properties.

How Antimicrobial Upholstery Works

The fabric is submerged in a silver-ion solution and cured, so the antimicrobial properties are bonded directly into the fibres. This process ensures the treatment remains effective even with regular use and standard cleaning over time.

What antimicrobial fabric does:

Helps resist bacterial growth
Reduces mould and mildew formation
Minimizes lingering odours caused by microbes

What antimicrobial fabric does not do:

It does not kill viruses such as influenza or COVID-19
It does not purify indoor air or eliminate airborne particles

While it is not a replacement for routine cleaning, antimicrobial upholstery adds an extra layer of protection, helping create a cleaner living space.

Antimicrobial Leather Options

In addition to fabric, La-Z-Boy also offers antimicrobial leather upholstery. These leathers receive a protective antimicrobial coating that resists bacteria, mould, and mildew. The treatment does not wear off with everyday use, helping leather furniture stay fresh, durable, and easy to maintain.

To learn more about our Leather Selections, take a look at this guide.

Is Antimicrobial Fabric Safe?

Yes. La-Z-Boy antimicrobial fabrics are safe for indoor use and designed to meet strict quality and performance standards. The silver-based treatment is embedded into the fabric fibres and does not release harmful chemicals into the air.

Beyond safety, antimicrobial upholstery does not limit your design choices.

Available Colours, Patterns, and Styles

La-Z-Boy antimicrobial options include:

9 fabric colours, ranging from neutral beiges and greys to rich blues and greens
5 fabric patterns, including tweeds, polka dots, geometric designs, and subtle textures
Antimicrobial leathers available in 10 classic and modern colour options

Mary Lee shares one of her favourites, “I love working with the Kaia polka dot antimicrobial fabric. It adds personality to accent pieces while still being soft, durable, and easy to clean.”

Cost of Antimicrobial Upholstery at La-Z-Boy

Antimicrobial fabric is considered a premium upholstery upgrade, and pricing varies based on several factors.

What Affects the Price?

The cost of antimicrobial upholstery at La-Z-Boy depends primarily on the fabric grade selected and the furniture frame it is applied to, since larger pieces require more material. Pricing may also increase if the antimicrobial cover includes additional performance features, such as iClean stain resistance or Pet Friendly technology.

Antimicrobial Fabric Pricing Guide

Furniture Frame	E-Grade Upgrade	P/S-Grade Upgrade
Designer Chair	$250	$495 to $575
Recliner (Manual or Power)	$420 to $490	$900 to $1,070
Stationary Sofa	$420 to $490	$900 to $1,070
Reclining Sofa	$420 to $490	$900 to $1,070

Please note that La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change without notice. Information is current as of February 6th, 2026. Contact your local Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.

Antimicrobial Cover Warranty

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 combo 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, Gatineau and Kingston’s 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 and Care Instructions

One of the biggest advantages of antimicrobial fabric upholstery is that it does not require complicated or specialty cleaning routines. The antimicrobial treatment is designed to remain effective through regular maintenance and everyday use.

To keep your antimicrobial upholstery looking and performing its best, La-Z-Boy recommends the following care practices:

Regular vacuuming using an upholstery attachment to remove dust, crumbs, and pet hair before they settle into the fabric fibres.
Prompt spot cleaning with a mild soap and distilled water solution when spills occur. Gently blot the area with a clean, soft cloth rather than rubbing, which can push stains deeper into the fabric.
Routine maintenance cleaning to prevent the buildup of oils, dirt, and allergens, especially in high-traffic areas or frequently used seating.

Mary Lee notes that while antimicrobial fabric helps resist bacteria and odours, it still benefits from consistent care. “The technology works best when paired with good cleaning habits. You are protecting the fabric and extending the life of your furniture at the same time,” she explains.

The antimicrobial treatment itself will not wash out or wear off with standard cleaning, making it a reliable option for busy households that want both performance and peace of mind.

To learn more about Furniture Care Tips, take a look at this article.

Is Antimicrobial Fabric Right for You?

Antimicrobial upholstery is a practical choice for many households, even if you did not originally consider it.

For homeowners who spend long hours seated, such as those using recliners or lift chairs, antimicrobial fabric helps prevent bacteria buildup and lingering odours over time. This is especially beneficial for seniors or individuals recovering from injuries.

Families with children and pets also benefit greatly. Antimicrobial upholstery helps combat bacteria tracked in from outdoors, food spills, and everyday messes that can otherwise lead to unpleasant smells or mildew between cushions.

If you suffer from allergies, antimicrobial fabric can offer added peace of mind. These covers resist common allergens such as dust, mould, and mildew, helping create a cleaner, more comfortable living space.

While antimicrobial upholstery does not replace regular cleaning, it adds an extra layer of protection that many homeowners appreciate in today’s health-conscious homes.

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!

Visit us at a local Ottawa, Gatineau 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 using our interior design services. One of our talented interior designers, such as Mary Lee, can help you seamlessly incorporate that cute polka-dot antimicrobial fabric into your home decor, or whatever style you prefer.

If you’re interested in learning more about our fabric upholstery, check out La-Z-Boy’s Fabric Upholstery Guide.

Nicholas Carchidi

Content Writer at StyleMeetsComfort.ca

Nick has been the lead content writer for La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston since 2022, specializing in the furniture industry. He collaborates with experts in his field, ensuring that each piece on the La-Z-Boy Learning Centre is accurate and valuable. He provides readers with expert knowledge on all things furniture. If you'd like to learn more about Nick, you can check out his LinkedIn page here.