Why you shouldn’t buy a faux leather sofa - and what to choose instead

In a recent Which? survey of 4,212 sofa owners, we found that faux leather was the most damage-prone choice of sofa fabric.  

So, if you're looking for a sofa that can withstand wear and tear, it's worth exploring other options – or taking precautions to protect your sofa from damage.

Read on for our tips on choosing a sofa that lasts. 

Our sofa survey also revealed the best sofa shops - and the worst - for every budget. 

Why faux leather doesn’t last

At first glance, it might be hard to tell the difference between faux leather and the real thing. 

That's because faux leather designed to mimic the appearance of real leather without the real leather price tag.

Faux leather can be as much as 70% cheaper than real leather. However, the budget-friendly alternative is a lot less durable than the real thing.

Faux leather is made of a plastic film layered over a fabric backing. Because the plastic film is so thin, it can easily crack and wear over time. It can also start to peel and lift, revealing the fabric backing underneath, or develop holes.

As the plastic ages, it becomes more brittle and the effect gets worse. Exposure to sunlight and moisture can also speed up the aging process.

In our survey, people who own a faux leather sofa were more likely to report that their sofa was ripped or scratched, stained, or showed signs of general wear and tear.

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How to buy a longer lasting sofa

As well as avoiding faux leather as a sofa fabric, there are other choices you can make to ensure your sofa that goes the distance.

1. Opt for synthetic fibres - or a natural fibre blend

Although synthetic fibres can be less durable than natural, several options still stand up well to the demands of everyday use. It all depends on the type of fabric and the way it is made.

Some of the most durable synthetic fabrics include:

• Microfibre – because of its super tightly-woven fibres, microfibre is a stain-fighting, colour-holding champion.
• Polyester – like microfibre, polyester is highly stain-resistant and durable, but it does need a little more upkeep than other options.
• Olefin – this material was designed to be an even more fade-resistant alternative to polyester. A great option if you want a brightly patterned or dark-coloured sofa.
• Acrylic – if you want a durable sofa that resists wrinkling or creasing, consider an acrylic fabric.

Alternatively, if your budget allows, opt for a material that blends synthetic and natural fibres, such as a wool blend. Adding nylon to wool can actually enhance its performance by helping it maintain its shape over time. And in many cases, reducing the wool content by bulking it out with a cheaper synthetic makes for a more affordable fabric.

In our survey, wool blends emerged as the most durable sofa fabrics and proved more cost-effective than pure wool.

Compared to synthetics, natural and blended fibres also scored especially well for resistance to wear and tear.

Looking to invest in a new sofa? Check out our sofa buying guide

2. Choose a tightly woven fabric with a higher rub count

As well as fabric type, the weave of a fabric can also indicate how well it will hold up to daily use.

Tightly woven materials tend to be more durable. As the threads are packed together more tightly, it is harder for them to be pulled out of shape or for moisture to penetrate. 

In the UK and Europe, fabric durability is measured by the 'rub count' - or Martindale rating. This is a measure of how tough the fabric is. The higher the count, the more contact it can withstand before it starts to wear out. 

The average sofa will have a rub count between 15,000 - 25,000 rubs - this means it will be able to stand up well to a medium amount of daily use. If you have pets, kids, or you use your sofa a lot, it is worth looking for a sofa with a rub count over 30,000 rubs, to make sure it stays looking newer for longer. 

For context, sofas made for commercial settings can have a rub count of up to 200,000 rubs. 

3. Consider maintenance

To keep your sofa looking good long term, you need to choose a material you are happy to maintain. 

Sofas covered with synthetics like microfibre, are typically very easy to clean and maintain, requiring only the occasional vacuum to stay looking fresh.

In contrast, natural fibres can be more demanding. For example, leather sofas will need regular cleaning with a specialist leather cleaner.

Natural fibres also lack the stain resistance of synthetics, so you'll need to be proactive in dealing with spills. 

Make sure you check how much maintenance your fabric requires before you make a purchase.

See our guide to the best stain removers for clothes and fabrics

4. Buy dark colours or a patterned fabric

If you want a sofa that stays looking new, you should also consider the design of the material.  

Patterned fabrics can help camouflage and hide minor stains and spills by drawing the eye away from imperfections.

Dark fabrics, like browns and blues, can be just as forgiving. Typical sofa spillages, like coffee, tea and red wine, will blend more seamlessly with these shades.

Brightly or darkly coloured fabrics can fade over time or in sunlight though, so think carefully about where your sofa is going to be positioned before you make your purchase.

5. Go for washable covers – or a matching throw

If you have your heart set on a less durable material – or you think your sofa might need some extra protection – consider washable covers.

Not only will they protect the sofa itself, they also make maintenance a breeze. You can regularly remove and clean the cover to extend your sofa's lifespan and keep it looking fresh.

If you don’t want to cover your whole sofa, consider using a throw for a good balance of coverage and protection.  

If your sofa needs a little TLC, check out our guide to how to clean a sofa