thisplace.com.au - Fabric Wallcoverings

1. Select only firmly woven fabrics which will not stretch or bubble when being wet with paste, or stretched to be stapled.

2. Avoid selecting light or white background fabrics which may be discoloured by paste. Sheer fabrics are not suitable as they too will show streaks of paste. Some fabrics not colour fast will have colours 'run' when wet with paste. Light or sheer fabrics may not show streaks when past has dried, but in a year to 5 years the paste may discolour the fabric.

3. Avoid using fabric on walls where there is continual touching with hands, or where oil or grease may stain it.

4. Consider air quality of house and neighbourhood; Direct air circulating heating units using coal, wood (furnace or fireplace), gas or oil will cause a slow accumulating of penetrating soil which will be next to impossible to remove. If hot air furnace or air conditioner contains a filter, change or clean the filter much more often than normally would be necessary. If your home is in an area where there is air pollution from blowing dust, smokestack soot or oily fumes, fabric on walls will soil more quickly.

Source: Michigan State University