Many materials are used to make the outside of the cushions: microfiber, suede, velvet and several types of leather.
-Microfiber (or micro suede) is a very durable type of upholstery that will withstand the worst beatings by your kids and pets. They are very resistant to stains and are fairly easy to clean. Being stain resistant, it is vital that you clean any spills or stains as soon as possible because the stain will stay on the surface. It is a good idea to dry out the area around the spill without rubbing. Regular vacuuming and/or dusting will help microfiber furniture last longer. Brushing microfiber with a special comb is vital in the long run as it revives the small fibers that make sofa.

Suede
-Suede is definitely a very comfortable and luxurious material, but it is known for being very high maintenance. Vacuuming and brushing the suede is just as important for suede as it is for microfiber. However, unlike micro suede, regular suede is not stain proof and if the spill or stain is not cleaned fast enough it will get absorbed into the material. Some tips for cleaning suede include using a brown eraser (only brown, not pink or white) or vinegar. Make sure to dry the suede off after washing it as suede does not like water at all. The trick to maintaining suede is to make sure it never gets went, only damp. Hair dryer works best at drying out small surfaces on the sofa.

Velvet
-Much like suede, Velvet is a luxurious and soft material that can be very durable in a long run given that you maintain it properly.  Unlike suede though, maintaining it is a rather simple task. Velvet responds very well to water, soaps and special detergents. There is a trick to making it last though, when the velvet is wet always use a fine brush and groom the velvet in the direction of the nap. After drying it is vital that you groom it in the other direction to make those velvet fibers stand up and separate.

Leather
-Leather is well known for its durability and cold comfort. It is however very prone to scratches, cuts and rips. It is a poor choice for people with pets who like to claw everything. Besides that it is a very simple material to maintain and it will last you a long time as long as you keep it away from direct sun to avoid fading and direct heat sources to avoid cracking.

Bicast
-Bicast leather is a cheap alternative to real leather as it is chemically put together using split leather and polyethylene. It is very easy to clean, however it is not very durable, is very prone to cracking and has a strong chemical smell.