Faux suede for furniture: pros, cons and recommendations for care

Faux suede is a quite popular material for furniture upholstery today. 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, of course, is inferior to real suede, but at the same time it has its advantages.

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

• on a fabric basis;
• on a continuous non-woven basis.

The first option is more popular, as it passes air 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 a game of light shades. Everyone knows the effect that is created on the fabric when stroking it with his hand. The higher the pile, the brighter the remaining trace.

Particular attention in the production is paid to painting the product. This process consists of three stages - adsorption, diffusion and fixing of dyes.Before the paint is applied to the canvas, it is carefully examined for defects, thermal and steam treatment is carried out. For coloring acid, chromic, direct, dispersed dyes are applied.

Furniture stores currently offer a wide color variety of faux suede. Usually, buyers prefer to choose a solid color option, but suede with a pattern is also quite common.

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

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

• The material effectively passes air, resulting in a pleasant microclimate in the room.
• Faux suede itself is a warm fabric. Furniture upholstered in this comfortable material creates a feeling of comfort in the room.
• Faux suede is immune to static electricity.

Another advantage of faux suede is that it is very pleasant to the touch. On such a sofa it is pleasant to sit, 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 with its shortcomings.

• Despite the fact that the fabric is very resistant to any mechanical influences, it can not cope with the claws of a stubborn animal. Therefore, it is better for cat owners to refuse to buy faux suede.
• If 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 where there are small children.
• Faux suede requires respect and special conditions when cleaning.
• The hair and hair of animals are easily “magnetized” to the material.

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

• Pay particular attention to the color of the fabric. It is recommended to avoid light shades, as spots are very noticeable on them, and getting rid of them is problematic. At the same time, a too dark sofa is also not suitable for every interior. A sofa made of black faux suede looks impressive, but it has the peculiarity of absorbing space, therefore it is suitable only for a very spacious room.
• Try to prefer products with a high degree of Teflon impregnation. This will greatly simplify the care of the material. The advantage of this fabric is the ability to wash.
• Upholstery shops offer long and short pile options. The life of the material 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 very familiar to the touch. This should not alarm the buyer. The fact is that this is a type of faux suede laminated for added durability. Such fabric is of high quality, additional processing allows the product to keep in shape, but it is still recommended to install a sofa upholstered in a laminated version in an office setting, rather than in a house.
• Mostly furniture departments in Russia, including online stores, offer custom-made products from China. Do not be afraid of such products. In China, quite good fabrics are produced, which compete strongly with products from Turkey or Italy, the materials of which are practically not available for sale, despite the assurances of the sellers.

When caring for a sofa covered in faux suede, heed the following recommendations.

• The most useful tip is to buy a removable case. 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 the liquid gets on the suede, you need to instantly shake off the drops and wipe with a damp cloth. If there is a stain, you can clean it with soda (leave for a day and then vacuum it) or wipe it with a sponge with a soapy solution, but you can not rub it hard. As soon as the material dries, the pile should be restored with a soft brush.
• Vacuuming a sofa lined with faux suede is allowed every week, but it is better to use a soft nozzle.
• To clean the material, it is better to use the services of dry cleaners. The most preferred option is dry cleaning with hydrocarbon solvents or dry wedge. These methods will not damage the fabric, but only give an updated look.

• Care must be taken to prevent food contamination from drying out on the fabric.
• To care for the product, special products and stain removers for natural and artificial suede are suitable. However, before using a similar composition to remove stains, test the tool. To do this, you can try to apply a stain remover on the wrong side of the upholstery and observe the reaction.
• If the sofa is covered with a removable cover made of synthetic suede reinforced with Teflon, then it can be washed. But in no case is it allowed to twist the product after washing, it is necessary to use a centrifuge.
• When washing, bleaches, solvents, chemicals, and petroleum-based compounds cannot be used.

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

Nevertheless, many still cover the sofa with a bedspread 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 the active use of the sofa. The vulnerability of the material to the claws of animals is noted. And also not everyone likes the thorough care of the product and the ability of suede to attract hair and wool.

To learn how to distinguish natural from artificial suede, see the next video.