HOW TO RECOGNIZE REAL LEATHER?

Fake leather is a material developed to imitate the appearance of leather. Under this definition, we mainly find imitation leather and Skaï leatherette. For your information, Skaï is a trademark registered by a German manufacturer.
This material is used in many fields such as car/motorbike upholstery, shoes, clothing and furnishing. And sofas are no exception. There are other types of synthetic and artificial leathers, such as vegan leather, often chosen for ethical reasons.
Before embarking on the refurbishment of a leather sofa, it is important to learn to distinguish real leather from fake leather (imitation leather or leatherette) to avoid disappointment. How do you recognise leather? Here is our advice.

Tips for telling real leather from fake

Distinguishing genuine leather from a synthetic material is important for care and repair, but also for paying the right price for your sofa. A leather settee or armchair will cost more than imitation leather furniture. The price is explained by the quality of this material. Care is made easier and the life of the product is extended.
Here is our advice for telling real leather from synthetic leather. Smell, appearance, feel and resistance will guide you in your search.

Smell the odour given off by the sofa

The first difference is the smell. Indeed, leather has a characteristic smell, whereas imitation leather has no smell. Be careful: some manufacturers go as far as imitating its smell, so be vigilant. If you smell a natural musky odour, then your sofa is made of genuine leather. A fake leather sofa gives off a chemical plastic smell.

Look at the reverse side of the leather

If you can access the reverse side of the material, you will be sure to identify it: the reverse side of leather looks like nubuck, whereas the reverse side of imitation leather is a woven fabric.

Look at the general appearance of the material covering the settee

Most of the time, leather is a smooth material. Conversely, imitation leather is often slightly textured or grained. Be careful: as with the smell, some manufacturers achieve good results in imitating the appearance.
If you notice imperfections on the surface of the material, this tells you that you have genuine leather. Real leather is originally the hide of an animal, so imperfections are normal. Grain that is too regular and uniform points to a synthetic material.

Touch the leather or leatherette

Touch also has a role to play in identifying fake leather. The real version is warm to the touch, unlike imitation leather. In addition, imitation leather is very thin: when you bend the material slightly, the crease mark remains. Real hide, on the other hand, is supple and naturally returns to its shape.

Test the resistance of the material

Another tip to help you is the resistance of the leather: if you scratch it with your finger and the piece crumbles and the varnish comes off, it is fake leather. You can also do the needle test: a needle goes through imitation leather very easily, whereas leather resists.
If you are still in doubt, do the fire test: leather burns but does not melt, unlike synthetic leather. The water drop test can also help you tell real leather from fake. Simply pour some water onto your sofa. If it is absorbed, then your sofa is made of genuine leather.

The different types of leather

You now know that your sofa is made of real leather. Genuine leather dresses your sofa with style. Depending on the hide used to make your furniture or garment, the appearance of the product is different.

Style of the leather depending on the hide used

Leather is used to cover sofas, but it is also used to create clothing and other fashion items (bags, shoes, belts, etc.). Depending on the desired effect, the type of leather used will be different and will undergo several processes, including tanning.
A smooth appearance (full grain) can be obtained with dipped lambskin or calfskin. This "aniline" leather is recognised as one of the best, with its distinctive grain. For a smooth but less natural look, veiled lambskin and sheepskin will be used. If your settee is made of genuine leather, then you have in front of you a leather made from goatskin, pigskin, nubuck calfskin or lambskin. This surface is obtained by sanding. Caring for suede split leather is delicate.
The appearance of leather and its colour can be worked. The versions will then differ depending on the techniques used: aged leather, crinkled leather, etc...

If you have a sofa with tough, thick leather, you own furniture made of heavy leather, created from cowhide or buffalo hide. Known for being grained, buffalo leather has a natural style full of texture. It does not result from any particular tanning process. Its price is higher than that of cowhide.
As this leather is often used in leather goods, you can easily find bags or shoes in buffalo hide in shops to dress with style. Whether on your clothing or on your sofa, this type of leather is very noble.

What should I do if my sofa is not made of leather?

If your sofa is not made of leather, Sofolk also offers products that will allow you to repair cat scratches on leatherette or imitation leather! Suitable for synthetic leather, they are available for the care, repair and protection of your sofa.