What Is Shearling?
Luxury faux material that makes a real statement.
There’s something luxurious about faux fur furniture pieces that evoke warmth and comfort. We love the effortless texture that faux shearling accent chairs or sofas provide in a room, but if you’re not familiar with the material, you might be wondering; “What is shearling?” In this guide, we’re breaking down all you need to know about shearling material, plus how to maintain it for gorgeous accent pieces that last for years to come.
What Is Shearling?
Shearling material is often used interchangeably with sheepskin, but they do have their differences. As the name “sheepskin” implies, that material is found from the hide of a sheep, while shearling is material made from lamb hide. Faux shearling is made from boucle, which is upholstery fabric composed of yarn looped to specifically replicate the nubby look of shearling. This material is equally warm, fuzzy, and soft to the touch as the real deal, but much better suited for furniture. Real shearling is delicate and difficult to clean – not to mention costly – so the faux option is a better choice for your furniture and decor’s everyday wear and tear. We love that faux shearling is environmentally-friendly, kinder on your wallet, and also more durable so you can enjoy it for longer! It’s also much easier to clean than real shearling.
If you’re looking for accent chairs or sofas that are soft and warm to snuggle into, – or you live in a colder climate – faux shearling furniture pieces are perfect for your home.You’ll notice as you shop for faux shearling furniture that it appears to have a furry look and texture. This creates subtle interest and elevates your room’s design while also providing functional warmth.
How to Maintain Faux Shearling Upholstery
Even if your shearling material isn’t real, the material should be maintained properly to preserve its appearance. Faux shearling is pretty resilient, but you should still never use cleaning products that include bleach or cleaners made with enzymes, since these can damage the piece’s aesthetic.
We recommend cleaning your faux shearling furniture at least twice a year or if you notice any spots to keep it in pristine condition. Whenever you go to wash your furniture, here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Vacuum Up Debris
Start by taking your vacuum and securing the upholstery attachment. Turn your vacuum on and run over the sofa or chair to suck up debris, crumbs, or other particles.
Step 2: Treat Spotted Areas
Take some mild liquid detergent to the spotted areas that need to be cleaned. Pour a tiny amount onto each stain before using an upholstery brush to move the product into the stain by brushing in a circular motion.
Step 3: Rinse With Water
Next, wet a sponge to rinse the product out of each stain by working the sponge in the same circular motion. Dab a few dry paper towels to each water spot to absorb some of the liquid left behind to help the furniture dry quicker.
Step 4: Brush to Fluff
After rinsing and drying your furniture piece, take a wide-tooth comb or wire brush to gently brush the piece to fluff the pile. Then, you’ll have a cleaned and washed piece of shearling furniture!
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Now that we’ve answered “what is shearling,” it’s time to shop!
