The Martindale Test: What 80,000+ Cycles Really Means for Commercial Furniture in Hospitality

When you’re investing in commercial furniture for your hotel, motel, holiday park, or guesthouse, durability isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. From constant guest turnover to spilled drinks, bulky luggage, and the daily hustle of housekeeping, your furniture needs to withstand it all. But how can you be sure the fabric will hold up?

The answer lies in a little-known but hugely important test: the Martindale Test. Used by commercial furniture manufacturers around the world, it’s one of the most reliable ways to measure fabric durability.

What is a Martindale Test?

The Martindale Test simulates natural wear and tear by using a machine that repeatedly rubs a piece of fabric with abrasive material in a circular motion. Originally developed during WWII in the UK to assess fabric durability for military use, it’s now a global standard for measuring upholstery performance. The test measures how many rubs (or cycles) a fabric can take before showing signs of wear. The higher the Martindale score, the more durable the fabric.

What Counts as a Good Martindale Score?

• Domestic Use: 15,000–25,000 cycles. Suitable for everyday use at home.
• Light Commercial Use: 25,000–40,000 cycles. Ideal for less intensive commercial settings.
• Heavy Commercial Use: 40,000+ cycles. Suitable for high-traffic environments like hotels, motels, and lounges.

At Vendella, our commercial-grade furniture often exceeds expectations:

The Makers Cooper Chair, the Fenix range and Gregor range all have ratings of 80,000+ Martindale cycles.

These ratings mean our furniture can endure years of constant use without pilling, tearing, or losing its professional appearance.

Why It Matters in Hospitality

Commercial furniture in hospitality isn’t just about aesthetics. You’re choosing pieces that must hold up to constant cleaning, varied guest use, and the occasional abuse from luggage corners, wet swimwear, or the energetic toddler. Poor quality fabric breaks down quickly, leading to costly replacements and unhappy guests.

A high Martindale score offers peace of mind, improves longevity, and supports sustainable purchasing decisions. Fewer replacements mean less waste and better cash flow over time.

How to Find the Martindale Score

We include the Martindale rating in the bullet points of our product descriptions so you can easily compare and choose the best fit for your needs.

Built for Hospitality. Backed by Testing.

We know your business depends on reliable, long-lasting solutions. That’s why we offer commercial furniture that meets or exceeds industry standards. The Martindale Test gives you one more tool to make confident, well-informed choices.

Explore our full range at vendella.co.nz or get in touch to find furniture that lasts as long as your guest’s memories do.