How to Spot a Fake Cowhide Rug

If you are going to invest in a cowhide rug, you want to make sure it is authentic, right? There are too many faux cowhide rugs now on the market and you don’t want to pay the money for a real cowhide rug, which is generally more expensive, but be duped into bringing home a fake one.

Here are some tips on how to spot a fake cowhide rug.

Durability

Real cowhide is always going to be more durable than faux cowhide rugs because the fake ones are made of different types of plastics instead of the real deal. Real cowhide is known to last for generations when well cared for. So if you are shopping for cowhide rugs and you find one, but the material seems a little flimsy, it might be fake.

Cost Difference

Real cowhide is always going to be more expensive than any imitation because of all the care that went into making the product. How the cows are raised and how the hide is manufactured are crucial to quality pieces and a lot of time and money goes into the craft. If someone is trying to sell you a cowhide rug for a really low price, be critical. It is most likely not just because they are having a big sale. The rug is more likely fake than anything else.

A Different Texture

Another way you can tell if a cowhide rug is fake is by its texture. Cows have a soft, fine fur that feels like a piece of heaven. When well taken care of, the cowhide’s soft, supple texture will last the full life of the rug. Faux cowhide, on the other hand, might start out soft to the touch, but it will quickly starting losing patches of fur which will detract from the look and feel of your rug.

The Ultimate Test

If you go into a physical store for your purchase, be sure to put any cowhide rug you are interested in buying through a physical test for quality. Called the bunch test, you simply bunch up the rug and then slowly let it unroll. A high quality rug will not have any wrinkles when it rolls out.

If you are buying online, make sure you purchased from a company that offers a good return policy. That way when you receive your cowhide rug in the mail, you will still have the chance to do the bunch test and send it back if you are not happy with it.

Caring for Your Real Cowhide Rug the Right Way

Once you get your cowhide rug home and you are happy with its quality now you have to decide how to care for it. Luckily, cowhide rugs are very durable and pretty low maintenance. For general care, you simply just need to vacuum them on a regular basis. If you by accident spill something on the rug, simply use a dry cloth to wipe it up. Make sure you wipe in the same direction of the hairs. For harder spills, you can use a damp cloth with a mild detergent. A well-taken care of cowhide rug can last a lifetime and can easily be passed down through the generations.

Here are some tips for decorating your home with cowhide. If your style has always been a sleek, modern look of monochrome and glass, you can easily soften the look a bit with a cowhide rug placed discreetly underneath the glass coffee table. Black & white cowhide rugs or even furniture, can bring some texture and warmth that is often lost with the modern aesthetic. A loft apartment filled with metal and glass can easily be softened with a touch of cowhide whether on the floor or in the furniture. The richness of the cowhide will draw your guests’ eyes in, making an interesting focal point for the room.

Cowhide rugs can also do double duty as wall coverings and as throw rugs. Cowhide is rich in texture and is very soft and supple so it brings a touch of luxury to any. For a more subtle look stick to a black and white or all white rug, but if you want to play around with color go with a brindle or spotted cowhide rug. This way you are adding some extra colors and patterns without it being an overkill.

If you are really gun shy about color, but know your living room needs a little something extra, then use a cowhide rug to add that little pop of color. A brindle or tri-color rug can bring in some different shades of black, white and brown that will bring some interesting contrast to the space without going with a really bold color like orange or purple.

For example, a soft black and white cowhide rug can give a luxurious feel to an otherwise stark room while a tawny brindle cowhide can offer some fun contrast to gray walls and black furniture. If you want something a little on the funky side, you can include acid wash or dyed cowhide rugs.

Basically, cowhide can complement any style because it is very versatile and comes in different shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. Most commonly natural cowhide rugs come in black, white, brown and white, tri-color, brown-white and black, and brindle. If you are more adventurous, you can even get cowhide rugs dyed a bright color like pink or one that is acid metallic washed. They even come in patchwork.

Other Ways to Use Cowhide

There are also other cool ways to use cowhide in your home. If you are just looking for a cool accent piece, then cowhide pillows might be the ticket. Whether they are for the living room or den couches or your bed, these pillows are fun to look at, but because of their soft supple skin and fur, they are also very inviting.

Or try cowhide lamps in your living room or den for a unique look. You will love reading by its light late into the night. They can even bring some charm into the bedroom as bedside lamps. Who knew lamps could be so much fun?

The kitchen might seem like an odd place for cowhide, but cowhide placemats can be a fun addition to any meal. If even you have a more modern kitchen, these placemats will only stand out in a good way. You can also use them in the dining room when you have guests over for a meal. They will appreciate the luxurious note the placemats bring to the table.

Consider Cowhide Outlet

Here at Cowhide Outlet, our mission is to be the best place to find cow hide for sale. We only sell the finest Brazilian cowhide rugs and give you the customer as much control over the selection and ordering process. We will work with any specific measurements, colors and styles you desire, and promise to deliver within thirty days.

Want to learn more about how to spot a fake cowhide rug? Call us or send us a message today.