How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to check the backing.
For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather however is often chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa smells unpleasant it could be due to urine from your pet. In most cases, a good cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you're not pleased with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back the leather's moisture, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is a great natural odor-removing agent that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to absorb dirt, squeeze it out or swap for a new one. Alternately, you can pour the solution into the spray bottle and spray it on your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it again.
Another method to eliminate the smells of your leather is by airing it out. If you can, place the couch outside in a sun-lit area to air it out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and also give the couch a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing unpleasant odors and keep it looking good for longer.
While faux leather couch sofasandcouches.com of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to maintain. As time passes, it will absorb odors from smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate particularly if you have pets or children. Fortunately, leather couches don't hold the odors as fabrics can and are a good option for families with active families.
It is crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy urine. You can try a few of the tips above, or try using a dedicated product like Leather Honey to address the issue. The best solution is to avoid the issue and ensure that you train your dog to never pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are some clues to look for when buying a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine if it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct natural scent that is recognizable. The scent can fade with age but it should remain evident when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test this test, gently press your fingers onto the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, then the material is probably bonded or faux leather.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This means that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan, but this isn't always immediately apparent. To make sure you're getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used in the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as robust. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're shopping on a tight budget There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you could still be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile option that is often offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabrics. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches offer a unique appeal that other types of upholstery just cannot compete with. Leather sofas are incredibly robust and withstand wear and tear far better than fabrics, which makes them last for many years to be. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens and therefore don't require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches are no different. Like every other purchase, it is crucial to be aware of dangers before making a final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the tag of materials that is attached to the frame. This will inform you the exact type of material it is. If you can't find any information about the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to make the decision.
The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and look at the texture, shading, and patterns in greater detail. A genuine leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and will not be perfectly uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If you see a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn't true leather. This is because animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
Finally, if you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of padding is covered in an unwoven material or polyurethane then it's a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a rough and coarse surface that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living room. Additionally, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand sagging or cracking. And because each hide has its own unique patterns, grain, and blemishes Every leather sofa is unique.
The best way to know whether the leather you're buying is genuine is to look at it up close. For a better understanding of the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonded.
Another obvious sign is a backing made of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather has been made with attention to last. If there aren't any seams, and the rear looks like a continuous cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.
Once you've determined that a sofa is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that match the colors of your space. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by placing your couch across from other pieces with a coffee table in between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area so that it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to protect your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protector once or twice a year.