Naugahyde Vinyl Upholstery | Faux Leather Fabric 

What is Naugahyde?

Created as an abrasion-resistant, stain-resistant, fire-retardant and antimicrobial fabric, Naugahyde is a faux leather upholstery material that allows you to have the appeal of leather without the hassle of maintenance and the cost of authentic leather. Naugahyde gives consumers the best, longest-lasting, most durable option.

This artificial leather fabric is composed of a plastic, leather-like coating with a knit fabric backing. The plastic coating is made from polyvinyl chloride plastic, so it’s endlessly durable, flexible, and can take on a number of colors and finishes without degradation.

What we know as Naugahyde today was developed in a lab at the United States Rubber Company in Naugatuck, Connecticut. It was first marketed to the public as a substitute for leather in upholstery applications in the 1930s.Because of it’s strange name, the word Naugahyde is often misspelled. Common misspellings include “naugahide,” “nagahyde,” “naughahyde,” “nogahide,” and “naughyde.” The true spelling is modeled after namesake Naugatuck so the true spelling is “Naugahyde.” The brand is pronounced naw-guh-hide.

Notably in the 1960s, the Naugahyde company created a fake mammal, called the “Nauga,” where all Naugahyde fake leather was sourced from. They claimed that the Nauga - instead of being killed for his skin - shed his hide, and much more ethically acceptable source of leather.

Common Uses for Naugahyde Vinyl Leather

Naugahyde faux leather vinyl upholstery fabric is often found in a number of applications. Below are a few:

• Commercial furniture for offices and work spaces
• Indoor and Outdoor Residential furniture
• Seating vinyl for heavy use settings like daycare, restaurants and health care
• Marine, Automotive, RV, Motorcycle seating

Where Can I Buy Naugahyde Vinyl Upholstery Fabric?

You can purchase Naugahyde vinyl from a few sources. However, for online purchases at distributor wholesale prices, DecorativeFabricsDirect.com a Naugahyde distributor for over 40 years offers a full selection of Naugahyde brand upholstery fabric. Order by the yard or roll and be assured you will not find a wider selection or lower price on Naugahyde fabric than with DecorativeFabricsDirect.com.

How to Clean and Maintain Naugahyde?

Naugahyde vinyl is extremely easy to clean and maintain. Most Naugahyde brand products come with BeautyGuard® a protective topcoat finish to repel stains and dirt. Even with the protective finish, you can make sure your Naugahyde vinyl fabric looks its best with simple cleaning and maintenance.

Supplies:

• Dish soap (typical cleaning)
• Lint-free or microfiber cloth and dish sponge
• Bleach (tougher soil)

How to clean:

If you notice your Naugahyde vinyl getting dirty or stained, you can remove grime by using a mixture of 10% dish soap to warm water, soaking your rag and wiping down your upholstery. This is great for general overall cleaning.

For tougher stains, use a similar ratio of bleach to water and scrub the area with a toothbrush or dish sponge to help remove the stains. Be sure to wipe it dry when you’re done. With regular care, you can greatly extend the life of your Naugahyde upholstery.

How To Repair a Naugahyde Fabric That Has Been Punctured or Torn?

Naugahyde is extremely durable and tears are not frequent but can happen from misuse. There are upholstery vinyl repair kits on the market that are sold for the repair of small punctures and tears. For larger torn areas, to achieve the durability and beauty our suggestion is to have an upholstery shop reupholster a torn cushion.