How to Tell the Difference Between Real and Fake Leather?I bought a purse that look alike genuine leather, but the I realized that it was made of synthetic leather. I make a loss!
Furthermore, I am not a leather expert, but I have a brother who is experienced in the fashion world. Likewise, I learned indirectly from what I saw, what I touch, and what my brother explained. Not bad for a free course.
Many products, especially fashion products, use leather as their base material. However, because products that use genuine leather materials have a fairly high selling price, synthetic leather is a solution so that the price is cheap. Even though when there is a price there is quality, right? Well, it’s okay, it all depends on the principles and the amount of money.
Sometimes some naughty traders buy the product cheaply and say that the product is made of real leather. Their target are buyers who are interested in the words “genuine” and “cheap”. Of course without thinking long, the victim buyers will usually buy immediately. The result is haven’t been bought in a year, the skin has peeled off. Even though real leather is typically strong and durable, you know. Well, so that you won’t be fooled by these naughty traders. Here’s how to tell the difference between real and fake leather.
#1 Check product labels
The first and easiest way you can is to find out by checking the product label. In genuine leather products, it often says “genuine leather”, “real leather”, or “full grain leather”. Well, if the product you want to buy has no such writing or even “synthetic leather” or “man-made material”, it is certain that the product is made of synthetic leather.
#2 Felt the texture of the product
Real leather has a rough texture if it is touched because it has pores like human skin. Unlike synthetic leather which has no pores and if felt smooth like plastic.
#3 Burning the product for 10 seconds
It doesn’t feel possible to burn the product we want to buy to test its authenticity, whether the product is made of genuine leather or not. However, you may be able to suggest to the seller, “Bro, can you try to burn it for a while?”
If a genuine leather-based product is burned for 10 seconds, it will not be burned and cause odors such as burnt hair. While if the product is made of synthetic leather, brought close to the heat of the fire, it has melted and caused the smell of plastic or rubber.
#4 Smell the product
If you dare not ask the seller to burn the product for 10 seconds, maybe you need to try this fourth way. Smelling the aroma of the product is usually one of the effective ways to find out if the product is a real leather. Real leather has a distinctive aroma like coconut oil, in contrast to synthetic leather which smells more of rubber or vinyl, or other chemicals.
#5 Wrinkling, pressing or folding, and paying attention to product patterns
Real leather typically has imperfect natural streaks and the pattern is inconsistent. If you find a patterned, well-groomed streak repeating itself, it’s made of synthetic leather. When pressed or folded, the real leather will return to its original shape. While the synthetic leather is inelastic and remains stiff.
Now you know how to easily distinguish between products made of real leather or synthetic leather? Hopefully, by knowing the above ways, you will not be deceived and be more careful when deciding to buy skin-based products. Good luck!
