How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather couches due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. You must get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the back.
For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The non-contact areas were made of coated polyester and Cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural, rich and luxurious. Faux leather however typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a bad smell, it could be caused by urine or stains from pets. In most cases, a good cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it softer, less brittle, and more resistant to smells.
You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather sofa. If the cloth begins to accumulate dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it over again.
Airing your leather out is another way to get rid of the smell. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air dry. This will remove any unwanted smells and give the sofa a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors You can buy a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresh for longer by preventing it from absorption of the smells.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing, it can be difficult to keep clean. In time, it may absorb odors from smoking, cooking, and even body odor. These odors are hard to eliminate, particularly if your home has pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches aren't able to trap these odors like fabrics can, making them an ideal choice for families with active families.
It's crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy poop. You can try some of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product like Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best way to treat the issue is to avoid the issue therefore, make sure to teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are some clues to look for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. The scent can fade as you age however there should be no mistaking it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely faux-leather or bonded.
Another indicator is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan but this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you choose an item that has a long lifespan. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less robust. For extra durability, a wooden frame must also be dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're shopping on a tight budget, there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless fall in love with. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's frequently available for sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic look and is available in a wide selection of fabrics that are stain-resistant. However, this modular sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are different from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear far more than fabric, making them last for a long time to come. They also tend to resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract allergens and dust, so they don't need as much regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches are no different. Like any other purchase, it's important to be aware of the dangers before making a final choice.
If you're unsure if your new sofa is genuine leather the first thing you should do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover exactly what type of fabric or leather it is made of. However, sofasandcouches should also make use of your senses to help make an informed decision if you are unable to find any information about the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The surface of the sofa is worth a close examination, paying attention to the patterns, shading and texture. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be uniform. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like backing in place of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it's not true leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are restricted in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew throughout the back of the couch to ensure it's genuinely leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is coated with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another indicator that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a classic and with good reason. The soft, natural look and feel can elevate any living space. Plus the modern tanning process gives it the added durability to resist cracking or sagging. Because each hide has distinctive markings and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is unique.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to determine whether you're buying genuine leather is to get close and close to it. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bond leather.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create the furniture.
Check the back of your couch to determine if there are any vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. If there aren't any seams, and the rear looks like a continuous cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather sofa.
If you've decided that a couch is genuine leather The next step is to pair it up with the rest of your living room furniture. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the color of your room. Or, you can opt for a relaxed, dynamic layout by putting your couch across from other pieces with an occasional table.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area so that it doesn't fade or leave scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent every other year.