Contract furniture manufacturers, hospitality seating specifiers, table-linen converters, and outdoor cushion brands rely on three-proof stain-resistant finishing (三防整理: water, oil, and soil repellency) to protect woven upholstery and drapery without sealing the back of the cloth with a stiff plastic film.
On Weaverine production lines, C6 stain-resistant treatment is our most frequently specified functional finish (5,000 m MOQ per color/spec), applied to 100% polyester plain, twill, dobby, and embossed base cloths woven on our 650+ waterjet looms.
1. C6 vs. C0 (Fluorine-Free) vs. PU/TPU Coating: Which Route Fits Your End Use?
Before writing a specification, choose the chemical route that matches both your stain threat (water vs. oil) and your destination market's regulatory rules:
| Specification | C6 Three-Proof Finish (三防) | C0 Fluorine-Free DWR (无氟防水) | Back-Coated / TPU Laminated |
|---|---|---|---|
Water Repellency (AATCC 22) | ≥ 90 initial · ≥ 70–80 after 20–30 washes | ≥ 80–90 initial · ≥ 70 after 10–20 washes | 90–100 surface + 1,500–5,000 mm H₂O (ISO 811) |
Oil Repellency (AATCC 118) | Grade 4–5 initial (repels coffee, wine, salad oil, sebum) | Grade 0 (repels water/juice only; oils wet into fibers) | Surface still absorbs oil unless paired with a top DWR |
| Breathability & Hand Feel | 100% breathable weave; virtually zero change to natural drape | 100% breathable weave; slightly softer/waxy hand | Blocks air permeability; firmer coated hand |
| Chemical Compliance | PFOA/PFOS-free below detection limits; check US state / EU PFAS timelines | 100% PFAS-free; compliant with strictest EU/US retail bans | PFAS-free when paired with C0 top finish |
| Primary B2B Applications | Restaurant tablecloths, hotel sofa & dining chairs, medical curtains, workwear | Consumer bedding shells, kids' home textiles, PFAS-restricted retail lines | Waterproof mattress protectors, outdoor umbrella canopies |
2. Standard Lab Targets for a Contract Stain-Resistant PO
When ordering stain-resistant polyester for upholstery, dining linens, or contract drapery, bind every claim to an international test method and a specific wash count:
| Test Property | Standard Method | Unwashed Target (0 Washes) | Post-Wash Target (20–30 Washes) | Notes for QC Inspectors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spray Water Repellency | AATCC 22 / ISO 4920 | 90–100 (ISO 4–5) | ≥ 70–80 (ISO 2–3) | Tumble-dry warm or press at 130 °C after washing to re-orient fluorocarbon chains before testing |
| Hydrocarbon Oil Repellency | AATCC 118 / ISO 14419 | Grade 4.0–5.0 | Grade 3.0+ | Tested with n-tetradecane (Grade 4) and n-dodecane (Grade 5) for 30 seconds |
| Aqueous Liquid Repellency | AATCC 193 / ISO 23232 | Grade 4.0–6.0 | Grade 3.0+ | Uses water/isopropyl alcohol mixtures |
| Soil Release (Oily Stain) | AATCC 130 | Grade 3.5–4.0+ | — | Specify dual-action repel-and-release chemistry if tablecloths are commercially laundered |
| Chemical Safety | OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 | Appendix 6 Pass | — | See how to verify our OEKO-TEX Appendix 6 & GRS records |
3. How Pad-Dry-Cure Finishing Works on the Mill Floor
Unlike a spray-on consumer protector, mill-level C6 finishing is locked into the polyester filament during stenter heat-setting:
- Scouring & Clean Preparation: Any residual spinning oil or cationic softener left on the PFD base cloth blocks fluorocarbon bonding and causes uneven blotches.
- Pad Application (
Pick-up 65%–75%): The dyed or printed fabric passes through a chemical padder containing the C6 dispersion (20–45 g/L) plus a blocked-isocyanate crosslinking extender that anchors the finish to the PET surface. - Stenter Drying & Curing (
170–185 °Cfor45–60 s): High heat evaporates water, crosslinks the polymer network around every filament, and simultaneously heat-sets the fabric's finished width (150–280 cm) and dimensional stability (<3%shrinkage).
4. Recommended Base Constructions for Stain-Resistant Programs
You can combine C6 three-proof finishing (5,000 m MOQ) with any of our woven bases:
- Tablecloths, Aprons & Banquet Linens (
110–160 GSM,150–300 cmwidth): Plain or2/1twill weave (150D×150D) in solid piece-dye or rotary disperse print. - Upholstery, Sofa Covers & Throw Pillows (
150–260 GSM,150–280 cmwidth): Heavy DTY twill, dobby geometric, or 3D embossed fabrics paired with Martindale abrasion (20,000–40,000+rubs). - Hospital & Cubicle Drapery (
140–220 GSM,280 cmrailroaded width): Wide-width C6 stain-resistant + antibacterial (>99%) combined finish.
Use our Fabric Weight (GSM) Converter and Spec Sheet Draft Tool to build your RFQ, or request treated production swatches.