How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if are buying genuine leather sofas due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and inspect it with care. Smell, touch and flip the cushion to see the back.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather, whereas 'non contact' areas were made up of coated polyester and Cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch smells bad it could be due to stains or urine from pets. In most cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather sofa. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, you can either wring it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternately, you can pour the solution into spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it over again.
Another natural way to remove the smells from your leather is by airing it out. Place the sofa in a sunny space to let it air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors You can buy a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from soaking up odors and keep it smelling good for a longer time.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to keep clean. As time passes, it will absorb smells from smoking, cooking, or even body smell. These odors are hard to eliminate, particularly if your home has pets or children. Leather couches don't absorb odors like fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy pee. Use the tips listed above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the problem. Prevention is the best way to go but be sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Contact us with any questions.
There are some clues to look for when buying a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable, distinct natural scent. The smell fades as you age but it should remain clear when the couch is fresh.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and comfortable to touch. Faux and bonded leathers however, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the sofa's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the leather is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of the frame on a leather couch can have a significant impact on its longevity however it's not always obvious. To make sure you're buying a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used in the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less robust. To ensure durability, wood frames must be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're on a tight budget there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be customized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that has a classic design and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a certain appeal that other kinds of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and endure wear and tear better than fabrics. They will last for many years. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. Leather couches aren't different. Like every other purchase, it's important to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final choice.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather then you must first verify the tag of materials that is attached to the frame. This will inform you the exact type of material it is. But, you should make use of your senses to help make the right choice if you don't discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa.
The sofa's surface should be examined closely with a keen eye on the patterns, shading and texture. A genuine leather sofa has natural imperfections and may not be uniform in structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like back in place of coarse suede, this is a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it is not real leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut as large. 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 is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you can 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 covered in a woven material or polyurethane then this is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in coating that feels sturdy when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic and with good reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it additional durability, meaning it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Each hide is distinct, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.
While labels and prices are great pointers, the best way to tell if you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and personal with it. Inspect the surface texture, structure and pattern for a more detailed view of its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there aren't any noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bonded leather.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a further indicator. vegan leather sofa is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and is backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make furniture.
Check the back of your sofa to see whether there are vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been constructed with care to last. If there are no seams and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a faux 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 your living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the color of your room. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing arrangement by putting the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to prevent it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment use a leather protection agent at least once or twice a year.