How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. You need to get up close and personal to smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the back.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the seats and armrests) with genuine leather. 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, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it may be due to pet urine or stains. In most cases, a good cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is a great natural odor remover that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather sofa. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can either wring it or replace it with a fresh one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it over again.
Airing out your leather is another natural way to remove smells. Set the couch in a sunny area to air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and give the sofa an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresh for longer by preventing it from taking in odors.
While the smell 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 smell. These odors are difficult to eliminate, particularly if your home has children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches don't hold these odors like fabric upholstery can and are a good option for families with active families.
If your couch smells like the scent of a puppy's pee It is important to get the problem addressed immediately. Try some of the suggestions above or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the issue. The best way to treat the issue is to stop the problem from occurring, so make sure you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are some clues to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. This scent may fade as you age however it is impossible to miss it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the touch and warm to the. Leathers made of faux and bonded are often colder and have a plasticky feel. To test it, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, then the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a significant effect on its durability but this isn't always evident. To ensure you're buying a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used to construct the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive option, while engineered or particle board frames aren't as sturdy. For extra durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln-dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget, there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless enjoy. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile option that is often on sale and can easily be customized to suit 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 selection of fabrics that are resistant to fade. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are different from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for a long time to be. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are a few dangers when buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for before you make your final choice.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is made of leather or fabric then you must first verify the tag of materials that is on the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of material it is. If you cannot find any information about the couch's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make a decision.
A key indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and observe 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 terms of structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a dead giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If you see an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is a sign that it's not genuine leather. This is due to the fact that hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you can raise an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is coated with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another sign that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in coating that feels sturdy when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with the reason. The material's warm, natural appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Plus, a modern tanning process adds a bit of durability to resist cracking or sagging. Because each hide has distinct marks and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to know whether the leather you are buying is genuine is to examine it in person. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an even more precise view of its authenticity. If leather living room sets appears to be uniform and there aren't any visible flaws, it's most likely fake or bond leather.
Another dead giveaway is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. If there aren't any seams and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it is likely to be a fake 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 furniture for your living space. To create a clean, coordinated look, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood and accent it with pillows that reflect the colors in your room. You can also opt for a more fluid, acoustic arrangement by placing your sofa against other furniture pieces and placing a coffee table in between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to avoid it fading or forming scratches. If you want 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.