Contract fabrics don't look after themselves, even those with additional stain repellent treatment, and without proper care can "ugly out" before their time. In extreme cases they can even wear through. Following a few simple rules can add years to the wear life and appearance of what should be the most visually appealing element of furniture:

• Vacuum regularly to remove dust and grit, which can act as a sandpaper like abradant and break fibers in the fabric structure.
• Get to spills and stains quickly while they're still fresh - use a napkin or damp cloth to remove excess liquid, then if need be use an upholstery shampoo.
• In spill/stain prone areas, specify a stain repellant finish. But beware... This doesn't make the fabric indestructible, it just gives added time to attend to the spill.