How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a real leather couch. It is important to get close to the couch and examine it carefully. Smell, touch and turn the cushion over to check out the backing.
For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE was tested with contact areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to stains or urine from your pet. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather which makes it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor-removing agent that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, squeeze it out or switch to another. Alternatively, you can put the solution in the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it again.
Another way to get rid of the smells of your leather is by airing it out. Set the couch in a sun-lit area to air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the sofa a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher longer by stopping it from taking in smells.
The scent of leather may be attractive, but it's difficult to maintain. In time, it may absorb smells from cooking, smoking, and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to get rid of particularly when you have pets or children. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabrics can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
It is 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 use a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best option is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
If you are looking for a new leather sofa There are some things to be aware of. But the most effective way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. This scent may fade with age however there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have an unpleasant plastic feel. To test, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the leather is probably bonded or faux leather.
Another indicator is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a significant impact on its longevity however, this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select a sofa with longevity for a long time. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're for a price that isn't too expensive there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless fall in love with. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often offered for sale and is easily customized to match your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It is a classic design and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are fade-resistant. The sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of upholstery can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabrics. They will last for many years. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are issues to be aware of when purchasing a leather couch - and it's important to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the tag of materials that is attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of material it is. If you are unable to find any information regarding the couch's materials or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to help you make an informed decision.
The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading and patterns in detail. A real leather couch has natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth, or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Another good test is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it is not genuine leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are restricted in size and can be cut only to a certain extent. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you can lift a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and rough when touched.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and with good reason. The warm, natural feel and look of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Since each hide comes with distinctive patterns and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is unique.
The best way to tell whether the leather you are buying is genuine is to examine it up close. For a better understanding of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any obvious blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Check the back of your couch to determine if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.
Once you've determined that a couch is genuine leather the next step is to match it with the rest of the furniture in your living space. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that match the colors of your space. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing layout by putting the sofa between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table in between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent every two or three times a year.