Let’s face it a Ferrari with fabric seats just does not cut it just like a black leather chair must be in modern-contemporary home to give it the most stylish and luxurious feel. No one can deny the effect a black leather chair has on your perception of power. However in today’s world, with our advances in technology and fabric production, artificial or fake leather looks as genuine as leather, it even feels like real leather.
So let's investigate some easy ways and means on how you could spot that fake leather chair and come home with the real goods. A big indicator on whether it is the real McCoy or El Cheapo - the price. However once outside the store it may be very difficult to at first glance tell the difference. So if your looking at some ones’ furniture and going, “mmmmm...is it real?” Here are a few simple ways of determining whether it is genuine or artificial.
Real or Fake Leather Here?
Genuine Leather
- Will once it has warmed up or when kept at the correct temperature, have a unique smell.
- Will have small variants in the colour, tone and texture. Remember leather is animal hide it differs in thickness and tone. This is particularly true in the instance of black leather. Due to the limitation on real black leather, leather is mostly often dyed black, especially in the best quality black leather chair..
- Will absorb water and liquids and will darken slightly in the area. (Please do not toss your drink on it to see if it’s real, unless you dislike the company. Your host will not be pleased)
- Will not scald you if heated by the sun. Although leather does heat up, it rarely warms up past 40’C and in those instances it will be damaged.
- Most suede finish materials are fake.
Artificial leather
- Will have no sent, even when warm.
- Will have an overall smooth feel, with no changes in texture, tone or colour.
- Is waterproof, only the suede like fabrics will absorb water.
- This is due to the fabrics containing polyester and other poly fibres, water will often remain on the surface or be drawn through the upholstery.(Again. Do not toss your drink on it!)
- If left in the sun for a period of time, fake leather will scald you. This is also due to the poly fibres found in the fabric, these may heat to temperatures above 50‘C.
Should you still be unsure ask you host about the care of his furniture. Should he claim it is simple and only requires the use of a cloth and some mild detergent your probably dealing with a fake. However should he go into details about cleaning solutions and creams that need to be applied to your black leather chair, this to prevent it from cracking, perishing or becoming hard, chances are it is genuine leather.
Recently searched items:
- fake leather chair care
- how to spot a fake leather chair
- real vs faux leather chair
- simulate leather vs genuine leather