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 genuine leather sofa. You need to get up close and personal - take a whiff, feel and flip over a couch to look at the backing.
For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the seats and armrests) with genuine leather. The non-contact areas were a mix of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather is, however typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to pet urine. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.
You can also make use of an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather couch. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, you can wring it out or replace with another. You can also put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Airing your leather out is another way to get rid of smells. Set the couch in a sunny space to let it air out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. deep leather couch keeps your leather looking fresher for longer, preventing it from taking in smells.
The smell of leather can be appealing, but it is difficult to keep. Over time, it can absorb smells from smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate especially when you have children or pets. Fortunately, real leather couches aren't able to trap these odors in the same way that fabrics can make them a great choice for families with active families.
If your couch smells like an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it's important to take action immediately. Try some of the tips above, or try using a dedicated product like Leather Honey to treat the problem. Prevention is the best option however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
When shopping for a new leather sofa there are a few things you should look out for. The best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes but there should be no mistaking it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to touch. Bonded and faux leathers on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips onto the sofa's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of the sofa, it's another indicator. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.
The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a significant impact on its durability, but this isn't always evident. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. For added durability, a wooden frame must also be dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're for a price that isn't too expensive there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless enjoy. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often offered for sale and is easily customized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are stain-resistant. This modular sofa is somewhat difficult to put together at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear more than fabric, making them last for years to be. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens, so they don't need as much regular maintenance and cleaning. However, just like anything else in life, there are dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it is important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the tag of materials that is that is attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of material it is. But, you should utilize your own senses to help make a decision if you can't find any information about the material composition of the sofa.
A key indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and look at the texture, shading, and patterns in detail. Genuine leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing in place of coarse suede, it's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another good test is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is a sign that it's not authentic leather. The reason for this is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and can only be cut as big. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or faux leather.
Finally, if you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another sign that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a coarse and rough surface that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless design for reasons. The warm, natural feel and look of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sagging. Since each hide comes with distinctive patterns, grain, and blemishes Every leather sofa is unique.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators, the best way to tell whether you're buying authentic leather is to go close and intimate with it. Check the texture, structure and pattern to get a more detailed view of its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it's likely to be faux or bound.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. 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 in making the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather was constructed with care to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a continuous piece of fabric, it's likely a lower-quality faux or leather couch that has been bonded.
Once you've confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other furniture for your living space. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the colors of your space. You can also opt for more relaxed, energetic layout by putting the sofa between two pieces furniture with a coffeetable in between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to avoid it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.