How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if you are buying genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and inspect it carefully. Smell, touch and turn the cushion to check out the backing.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather, whereas the non-contact areas were a mix of coated polyester and Cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather however typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa has a bad smell, it may be due to pet urine or stains. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather's moisture which makes it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is a great natural odor eliminator that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to gather 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 over your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Airing out your leather is another natural way to get rid of odors. Set the couch in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the couch a fresh, natural 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 soaking up smells and will keep it smelling nice for longer.
The scent of leather may be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. As time passes, it will absorb smells from cooking, smoking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to eliminate particularly if you have pets or children. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabrics can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy It is important to take action immediately. You can utilize the suggestions mentioned above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the issue. Prevention is the best way to go, though, so be sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
When shopping for a new leather sofa there are a few things you should be aware of. The best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is recognizable. The smell fades as time passes, but it should be evident when the sofa is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa is supposed to be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams stitched across the back of the sofa, it's another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame of a leather couch can have a significant impact on its longevity however it's often not obvious. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what kind of wood is used in the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive option, while engineered or particle board frames aren't as sturdy. For added durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln-dried to prevent warping and mildew.
If you are on a tight budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible option that is often offered for sale and can be adapted to your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is classic in design and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabrics. This sofa is somewhat difficult to put together at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a distinct appeal that other kinds of furniture can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and stand up to wear and tear better than fabrics. They can last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. Leather couches aren't different. Like every other purchase, it is important to be aware of the risks before making a final decision.
If you're unsure if your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing you need to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of leather or fabric it is made of. If you are unable to find any information about the couch's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make the decision.
The sofa's surface should be examined closely with a keen eye on the patterns, shading and texture. A real leather couch has natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in terms of structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it has a mesh-like backing in place of rough suede, that's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it's not genuine leather. This is due to the fact that hides from animals are limited in size and can be cut only to a certain extent. To ensure cheap leather couches Sofas And Couches of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the padding. If the back of padding is covered by an unwoven material or polyurethane it is a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in coating that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless design for reasons. The natural, warm look and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sagging. Since each hide comes with its own unique markings and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is unique.
The best way to know if the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to inspect it up close. For a better understanding of the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is uniform and there aren't any noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or the leather is bonded.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been designed 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 established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with other furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated look, match your sofa to other wooden furniture and accent it with pillows that reflect the colors of your living space. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by putting your couch against other furniture pieces and placing an occasional table.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure that it doesn't fade or leave scratches due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.