How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You should be able to walk up to the couch and inspect it closely. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion to examine the back.
For example, a "leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather while 'non contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. Faux leather is, however is often chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
You can also make use of an organic odor remover such as baking soda to get rid of unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can wring it out or swap for an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping again.
Another way to get rid of odors from your leather is to air it out. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny area to air it out. This will eliminate any unwanted odors, and provide it with a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will stop your leather from absorbing odors and keep it smelling nice for longer.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, it can absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, and even body odor. These odors can be hard to get rid of, especially when you have pets or children. Fortunately, real leather couches don't trap the odors as fabric upholstery and are a good choice for families with active families.
If your couch smells akin to the scent of a puppy's pee It is important to get the problem addressed immediately. You can try a few of the tips above, or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best solution is to avoid the issue therefore, make sure to teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Contact us with any questions.
There are some clues to look out for when shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable, distinct natural scent. The scent can fade as you age but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to touch. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test this, gentle press your fingers on the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, then the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
Another dead giveaway is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame of a leather couch can have a significant impact on its longevity however it's not always obvious. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose an item that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To ensure durability, wood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you are on a tight budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually on sale and can easily be adapted to your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that has a classic design and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They will last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to purchasing a leather couch - and it pays to know what to look out for prior to making your final decision.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is genuine leather, the first thing you need to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to find out the exact type of leather or fabric it's made from. If you can't discover any information about the couch's materials, you can use your senses to make a decision.
A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be consistent. If the surface is uniform and smooth, or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it's a sure indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If you see a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, that's an indication that it isn't true leather. The reason is that animal hides are limited in their size, and they can only be cut as large. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will sew and stitch across the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you are able, lift up one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered with a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and coarse when it is touched.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic and for good reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sagging. And because each hide has distinct patterns and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to know if the leather you are buying is genuine is to inspect it in person. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bonded leather.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a further indicator. This is a common characteristic of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Lastly, look at leather couch and loveseat set of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been made 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 bonded leather couch.
Once you've confirmed that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other living room furniture. To create a clean, coordinated style, pair your couch with other furniture made of wood and line it with pillows that match the colors of your space. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing layout by placing the couch in between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table in between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area to ensure it doesn't deteriorate or show 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 every other year.