In the laundry industry, the cleaning and care of leather products is a high-value-added service project. However, due to the special material of the leather products and their high price, the laundry shops must be equipped with professional identification ability to tell genuine leather from fake leather and avoid economic losses or customer disputes resulting from misjudgment.
In this article, we will provide a simple but practical method for people to identify genuine and fake leather in terms of four aspects: appearance, cross-section, hand feel, and water absorption.
Appearance Identification
❑ The appearance of the genuine leather
- Obvious pores
There are obvious pores at the surface of the genuine leather. The distribution of pores has certain rules, but the regularity is not strong, and the thickness is uneven.
- Natural marks
There could be some natural marks on the surface, like scars and wrinkles on the animal’s skin itself.
- Location differences
In inconspicuous areas ( inside the collar, under the pockets, under the armpits…), lower-quality leather that is significantly different from the front is often used (except for particularly high-end leather jackets).
❑ The appearance of the fake leather
- Inobvious pores
The pores on the surface of fake leather are not obvious, or the counterfeit leathers have no pores at all.
- Strong regularity
The surface texture is regular, with uniform thickness and no natural scars.
- No location difference
The material of inconspicuous areas is the same as that of the front.
❑ Identification of suede leather
- Genuine suede leather
The surface fluff varies in length and texture.
- Fake suede leather
The surface fluff is uniform, and the texture is even.
Identification of Cross-Section and Leather Back
❑ The cross-sectional characteristics of genuine leather
- Fibrous structure: The cross-section of the genuine leather presents an irregular fibrous structure.
- Nail test: When you scratch the cross-section with your nail, you will notice that it becomes fluffy and thick.
- The reverse side features: The reverse side of the genuine leather shows an uneven state and no fibrous imitation.
❑ The cross-sectional characteristics of fake leather
- Regular fibers
The cross-section presents a regular fabric fiber structure.
- Rigid and inflexible
The cross-sectional structure is rigid and lacks a fluffy feel.
Identification of Hand Feel
❑ The tactile characteristics of genuine leather
- Comfortable and soft
Full and soft to the touch, with a certain sense of warmth.
- Good elasticity
Natural leather has good elasticity, and its hardness does not change significantly with the seasons.
❑ The tactile characteristics of fake leather
- Strong plastic feel
The hand feels similar to plastic, with poor fullness and softness.
- Temperature sensitive
It is relatively soft in hot weather but becomes hard in cold weather.
- Elasticity
Obvious creases tend to appear when bent. Its flexibility is poor.
Identification of Water Absorption
❑ The water absorption of genuine leather
- Good water absorption
The surface of genuine leather has strong water absorption.
- Testing methods
Dip your hand in a small amount of water and apply it to the surface of the leather to observe its water absorption. If it absorbs water quickly, it is genuine leather.
❑ The water absorption of genuine leather
- Poor water absorption
The surface of fake leather has poor water absorption or no water absorption at all.
- Strong water resistance
Water on the surface is not easy to penetrate, and it forms water droplets.
Precautions and Suggestions for Identification
- Comprehensive judgment
It is recommended to use all the above four methods simultaneously for a comprehensive judgment to enhance accuracy.
- Professional testing
If it is difficult to identify, it can be sent to professional leather chemical identification testing institutions.
- Customer communication
When receiving leather products, it is necessary to communicate fully with the customer, clarify the type of leather and care requirements, and avoid disputes.
Precautions and Suggestions for Identification
- Classified care
Select the appropriate care method on the basis of the type and texture of the leather.
- Professional equipment
Use professional leather care equipment and eco-friendly materials.
- Staff training
Regular leather identification and nursing training of employees can improve their professional skills.
Conclusion
The method of identifying genuine and fake leathers is the premise of laundry shops providing high-quality leather care services. By the appearance, cross-section, hand feel, and water absorption, laundry shops can effectively avoid the misjudgment risks, improve the service quality, and win the customers’ trust.
Laundry shop owners and laundry industry practitioners should pay attention to learning and improving the technology of identifying the leathers and winning the market by virtue of professional and refined services.
