Tempotest Fabric Terminology and What It Means

Tempotest Home® Fabric Specs, Explained Simply: What They Mean (and Why You Should Care)

If you’re shopping for custom outdoor cushions, patio pillows, or indoor/outdoor upholstery, Tempotest Home spec language can look a little “technical.” Here’s the plain-English guide—what the terms mean, why they matter in real life, and what to look for when you’re comparing outdoor performance fabrics.

Made in Italy: what that signals

You’ll see: “Made in Italy,” “Italian heritage,” “1921,” “Parà”

Tempotest Home is produced by Parà Industrial Group, a long-established Italian textile manufacturer known for premium performance textiles and design-driven style.

Why it matters: This is a “detail matters” fabric—design, color, and finishing tend to feel more upscale and curated (great for high-end patios, hospitality, and indoor/outdoor rooms).

Fabric content: what it’s made from

You’ll see: “100% solution-dyed acrylic”

Tempotest Home is 100% solution-dyed acrylic—color is integrated into the fiber so it holds up to sun exposure better than surface-dyed fabrics.

Why it matters (real life):

• Better long-term fade resistance

• Strong colorfastness for sunny patios

• Great choice for outdoor cushion covers and upholstery that sees daily use

EcoShield™ finish: what it does (and what it doesn’t)

You’ll see: “EcoShield finish,” “water and stain resistant,” “plant-based finish”

EcoShield is Tempotest Home’s protective finish designed to help with water repellency and stain resistance.

Why it matters: It buys you time—spills bead up longer so you can blot before stains set.

Important nuance: A finish helps, but it’s not a force field. You still want:

• quick cleanup

• seasonal washing

• proper rinsing

• letting cushions fully air dry

Water repellent vs waterproof: set the right expectations

You’ll see: “water repellent,” “soil resistant,” “breathable”

Tempotest Home is water repellent, not “waterproof.” Outdoor cushions can still get wet through seams, zippers, and inserts.

Why it matters: After heavy rain, let cushions air dry completely (and don’t store them wet).

Breathable: why this is a good outdoor word

You’ll see: “breathable”

Breathable fabric allows airflow, which can help cushions dry faster and feel more comfortable in heat.

Why it matters: Breathability is a quiet upgrade—especially in humid climates and pool areas.

Mold resistant: what it really means

You’ll see: “mold resistant”

Mold and mildew are usually a “dirt + moisture + time” problem. Tempotest resists mildew, but it still needs routine cleaning to remove grime, oils, pollen, and debris.

Why it matters: The cleaner your cushions stay, the less likely you’ll ever deal with mildew.

Routine cleaning: why Tempotest pushes seasonal washing

You’ll see: “wash seasonally,” “twice per season in high-heat/high-UV regions”

Tempotest recommends seasonal washing to remove body oils, dirt, and allergens that can build up and reduce performance over time. In very hot, high-UV climates, it suggests cleaning at least twice per season and covering/storing when not in use.

Why it matters: Outdoor cushion covers last longer when you treat cleaning like maintenance—not emergency response.

Machine washable: yes (with rules)

You’ll see: “hand or machine wash,” “gentle cycle,” “up to 85°F,” “close zippers”

Tempotest Home covers can typically be hand washed or machine washed on a gentle cycle (cool water / up to ~85°F), using mild detergents.

Why it matters: This is a big convenience win for cushion covers—just follow the rules to protect the finish and prevent residue.

Big rule: DO NOT put Tempotest in the dryer. Air dry only (ideally in the shade).

Bleach cleanable: yes (when done correctly)

You’ll see: “bleach cleanable,” “1 cup bleach per gallon”

Tempotest allows chlorine bleach (per the ratios provided) for certain stains, sanitation, and mildew cleanup—without harming colorfastness when done correctly.

Critical details Tempotest emphasizes:

• Stick to the recommended bleach-to-water ratio

• Use chlorine bleach (they warn against non-chlorine bleach)

• Rinse thoroughly (residue left behind can cause problems over time)

• Air dry in the shade

Why it matters: Bleach-cleanability is a huge help for outdoor cushions, but only if you rinse like you mean it.

Oil-based stains: the “outdoor reality check”

You’ll see: “solution-dyed acrylic is not oil-stain resistant”

Like many outdoor upholstery fabrics, Tempotest can struggle with oily stains if they sit (sunscreen, suntan oil, mayo, salad dressing).

Best practice:

1. scrape off excess (dull edge)

2. blot

3. apply an absorbent powder (cornstarch/baby powder) 15–30 minutes

4. gentle soap + water clean

5. thorough rinse + air dry

Why it matters: Fast action is the difference between “gone” and “ghost stain.”

“Pilling”: what it is and why it’s in the warranty

You’ll see: “excessive pilling”

Pilling is the little fuzz balls that can form from friction over time.

Why it matters: It’s more common on some textures/weaves than others and can show up in high-friction areas (seat fronts, arm tops). It’s also one of the things the warranty language calls out.

Warranty: what “6-year” means in plain English

You’ll see: “6-year limited warranty,” “abnormal/excessive color degradation,” “excessive pilling,” “claim against retailer/installer”

Tempotest Home’s warranty is 6 years, focusing on abnormal/excessive color degradation and excessive pilling under normal exposure.

Real-world takeaway:

• Warranty coverage is tied to proper care and maintenance

• Claims are typically made through the retailer/installer, not directly with the mill

• Following care steps (especially rinsing + air drying) matters