What is a Martindale Test?
What is a Martindale Test?
Why Your Garden Furniture Needs 100,000 Rubs
The number on the label that actually tells you if a fabric will survive British summer - muddy paws, garden parties and all.
Section 01 — UK Garden Trends
It is officially Garden Season.
It is officially Garden Season.
Is Your Fabric Ready for It?
May in the UK means one thing: everyone suddenly remembers they own a garden. The cushions come out of storage, the bistro chairs get dragged onto the patio, and — if you are anything like us — you start planning that summer project you have been putting off since September.
But here is the thing. Most garden fabrics are not built for British life. They fade in the first proper sunny fortnight, pill after a season, and buckle under anything wetter than a light drizzle. The reason? The Martindale score. Or, more accurately, the lack of one that actually means anything.
If you have ever bought upholstery fabric and found yourself replacing cushions within a year, this guide is for you. We are breaking down exactly what the Martindale test measures, what the numbers really mean, and why 100,000 rubs is the only benchmark worth shopping to.
"A good Martindale score is not a nice-to-have. It is the difference between a garden makeover that lasts a decade and one that needs redoing by August."
Section 02 — The Technical Bit
The Martindale Test, Explained Simply
Named after the machine that performs it, a Martindale test works by rubbing a fabric sample in a continuous figure-of-eight motion against a standard wool cloth until the fibres begin to break down. The machine counts each cycle — and that count becomes your Martindale score.
The higher the number, the harder the fabric is to wear out. Simple as that. The test is internationally recognised and used by every serious manufacturer from commercial contract suppliers right through to luxury interior houses.
Here is how the scores actually stack up in real-world terms:
Use Case
Rub Count
Grade
Light Domestic (Bedroom cushions)
10,000
Light Use
General Domestic (Living room sofas)
15–20k
Standard
Heavy Domestic (Family homes, pets)
25–30k
Heavy Duty
Contract / Commercial (Offices, cafes)
40,000
Commercial
PORTICO by Discount Fabrics
100,000
Public Seating Grade
That last row is not a typo. Portico scores at public seating grade — the same classification used for airport lounges, hotel lobbies, and high-traffic commercial spaces. And we have made it available at warehouse pricing for your home.
Section 03 — Real Life Performance
Why 100,000 Rubs is the Holy Grail for Pet Owners and Parents
The test tells you the number. We will tell you what that number actually means at 6pm on a busy weekend when things inevitably get messy.
01
Claws, Paws and Pet Hair
A dog or cat on a garden seat does the equivalent of thousands of rubs in a single afternoon. At 100k, Portico shrugs it off. At 15k, standard fabric starts pilling within a season.
02
Kids and Outdoor Parties
Sunscreen, ice lolly drips, sandy shoes — garden furniture for families needs to be wipe-clean and resilient. Portico's water-beading finish means a single wipe is all it takes.
03
Year-Round UV Exposure
UV degradation is what turns garden fabric grey and brittle. Portico is UV-resistant by design, keeping its colour and structure through full UK summers without fading.
04
Long-Term Cost Savings
A fabric you replace every two years costs far more over a decade than a premium choice you buy once. 100k rubs is not luxury — it is the most cost-effective decision you can make.
Featured Fabric
Meet Portico: The Fabric That Does Not Quit
Designed to look like high-end textured linen, Portico is a heavyweight indoor/outdoor fabric engineered for real life. It has just landed at Discount Fabrics and it is already one of our most-requested launches.
- 100,000 Martindale rub test — public seating grade
- 400+ GSM heavyweight construction
- Water-beading, wipe-clean surface technology
- UV-resistant — retains colour through full UK summers
- Looks like designer linen at a warehouse price
- Perfect for garden cushions, box seats, and high-traffic upholstery
Section 04 — Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Styling Portico with Arcadia Basketweave for an Indoor-Outdoor Look
The secret to a cohesive home that flows from living room to patio? Use the same design language indoors and out. Portico and our Arcadia Basketweave are a natural pairing — one built for the elements, one built for interior luxury — but both with that same heavyweight, textured linen aesthetic.
Outdoor & Garden
Portico Indoor/Outdoor Fabric
Use this for garden chair cushions, box seat pads, and outdoor upholstery projects. The wipe-clean finish means no stress, no fuss.
Shop Portico
Interior Upholstery
Arcadia Basketweave
Bring the same textured, natural look indoors. At 400 GSM, Arcadia is built for dining chairs, headboards, and statement cushions that hold their shape.
Shop Arcadia
Clearance Corner
Tropical Floral Broderie Anglaise
The pretty side of the garden. Now on clearance — perfect for table runners, summer napkins, and garden bunting alongside your new Portico cushions.
Shop Clearance
Quick Guide
How to Choose the Right Martindale Score for Your Project
Not every project needs public seating grade — here is a quick cheat sheet before you shop.
01
Decorative Cushions
15,000 rubs is fine for cushions that are primarily visual and handled occasionally.
02
Family Sofa
Aim for 25,000+ for a sofa in a busy household. This covers daily use with children.
03
Garden Furniture
Go 40,000 minimum for outdoor use. For pets and high traffic, 100k is the smart call.
04
Commercial or Rental
Anything in a rental property or commercial space should be 40,000 rubs or above.
Patterns