Faux suede for furniture: pros, cons and care recommendations

Faux suede is a fairly popular material for upholstery these days. Everyone knows about the beauty and quality of natural suede, so this material is very valuable. The artificial analogue in appearance practically does not differ from the natural one, therefore it gives the house a special atmosphere of chic and luxury. In terms of quality, this product is, of course, inferior to real suede, but at the same time it has its own advantages.

Artificial suede has a very simple fiber composition. One fourth is cotton and the rest is polyester. The fibers are connected to the fabric, sometimes the top of the finished product is treated with a layer of Teflon, so that the material does not absorb liquid contaminants. The rigidity and flexibility of the product is determined by the structure of the threads. Synthetic fibers provide a high degree of elastic elongation, the fabric is minimally susceptible to creasing, and does not stretch throughout the entire period of use. There are two types of faux suede:

• fabric-based;
• on a continuous non-woven backing.

The first option is more popular, as it allows air to pass through well. The differences are in the structure of the material, the height, density and direction of the pile vary. The nobility of suede is formed from the play of light shades. Everyone knows the effect that is created on the fabric when stroking it with your hand. The higher the pile, the brighter the remaining trace.

Particular attention is paid to the production of painting the product. This process consists of three stages - adsorption, diffusion and fixation of dyes.Before the paint is applied to the canvas, it is carefully examined for defects, heat and steam treatment is carried out. Acid, chrome, direct, dispersed dyes are used for dyeing.

Currently, furniture stores offer a wide variety of faux suede colors. Usually, buyers prefer to go for a solid color, but patterned suede is also common.

The main advantage of Alcantara over natural suede is its affordable cost. Visually, only a professional master will distinguish them. The quality of natural fabric is higher, however, and synthetic material has many advantages.

• If you treat furniture carefully, then the fabric will last for several years and retain its original appearance for a long time.
• The material is highly durable, it is difficult to tear, stretch or damage it.
• The fabric is very resistant to exposure to ultraviolet radiation and high humidity. The color does not fade or fade for a long time.
• Unusual ability of artificial suede for furniture: it gives warmth in winter and cool in summer.

• The material efficiently allows air to pass through, resulting in a pleasant indoor climate.
• By itself, faux suede is a warm fabric. Furniture upholstered with this comfortable material creates a cozy feeling in the room.
• Faux suede is immune to static electricity.

Another advantage of artificial suede is that it is very pleasant to the touch. It is pleasant to sit on such a sofa, touch it with your hand, play with fibers in the sun.

Before choosing the presented material for the upholstery of the sofa, it is worth familiarizing yourself with its shortcomings.

• Despite the fact that the fabric is very resistant to any mechanical stress, it cannot cope with the claws of a stubborn animal. Therefore, it is better for cat owners to refuse to buy artificial suede.
• If a light-colored material is purchased, then the owners need to be prepared for the fact that it will quickly get dirty. This problem is especially relevant in homes with small children.
• Artificial suede requires careful handling, as well as adherence to special conditions when cleaning.
• Hair and hair of animals are easily "attached" to the material.

Choosing faux suede for upholstery, be guided by the following rules.

• Pay particular attention to the color of the fabric. It is recommended to avoid light shades, as stains are very noticeable on them, and getting rid of them is problematic. At the same time, a sofa that is too dark is also not suitable for every interior. The black faux suede sofa looks impressive, but it has the ability to absorb space, therefore it is suitable only for a very spacious room.
• Try to give preference to products with a high degree of Teflon impregnation. This will greatly simplify the maintenance of the material. The advantage of this fabric is the ability to wash.
• Upholstery shops offer long and short pile options. The duration of the material's life depends on these factors. It should be borne in mind that suede with a long pile will deteriorate faster.

• On sale you can find a product with a rough surface, not particularly familiar to the touch. This should not alarm the buyer. The fact is that this is a type of faux suede, laminated for extra durability. Such fabric is of high quality, additional processing allows the product to keep its shape, but it is still recommended to install a sofa upholstered with a laminated version in an office setting, and not in a home.
• Basically, furniture departments in Russia, including online stores, offer custom-made products from China. Do not be intimidated by such products. In the Celestial Empire, quite good fabrics are produced, which constitute strong competition for products from Turkey or Italy, the materials of which are practically not found on sale, despite the assurances of sellers.

When caring for a sofa covered with faux suede, listen to the following guidelines.

• The most helpful tip is to buy a removable cover. It will protect the fabric from abrasion, mechanical damage and other external factors. The cover can be removed, washed, changed if necessary.
• As soon as liquid gets on the suede, you need to immediately shake off the drops and wipe with a damp cloth. If there is a stain, you can clean it with soda (leave it for a day and then vacuum it) or wipe it with a sponge and soapy water, but you cannot rub it vigorously. Once the material is dry, restore the pile with a soft brush.
• Vacuuming a sofa upholstered in faux suede is allowed every week, but it is better to use a soft nozzle.
• It is better to use dry cleaning services to clean the material. The most preferred option is dry cleaning with hydrocarbon solvents or dry wedge. These methods will not damage the fabric, but will only give a new look.

• Care must be taken to ensure that food contamination does not dry on the fabric.
• For the care of the product, special products and stain removers for natural and artificial suede are suitable. However, test the product before using a similar compound to remove stains. To do this, you can try applying stain remover to the underside of the upholstery and watch the reaction.
• If the sofa is covered with a removable Teflon-reinforced synthetic suede cover, it is washable. But in no case is it allowed to twist the product after washing, you must use a centrifuge.
• When washing, do not use bleaches, solvents, chemicals, petroleum-based formulations.

Most reviews of faux suede sofas are positive. Consumers praise the furniture for its very aesthetic appearance. With proper care, the material retains its texture and colors. The effectiveness of the sofa is noted even after several years of use and in the case when it stands by the window in direct sunlight. People like to touch the sofa, the material resembles velvet.

Nevertheless, many still cover the sofa with a blanket or cover, revealing its beauty only during the visit of guests. This is done in order to extend the life of the material.

Negative reviews are associated with the property of artificial suede to peel off the upper decorative level with active use of the sofa. The vulnerability of the material to the claws of animals is noted. And also not everyone likes the careful care of the product and the ability of suede to attract hair and wool.

For information on how to distinguish natural from artificial suede, see the next video.