How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a real leather couch. It is important to get close and personal - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the back.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The 'non contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a unpleasant smell, it could be caused by pet urine or stains. In most cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any 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 softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.
Baking Sofas & Couches is an excellent natural odor remover that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can wring it out or switch to another. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it over again.
Airing your leather out is another way to remove the smell. Place the sofa in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and give the couch 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 prevent your leather from soaking up smells and will keep it smelling good for longer.
The scent of leather may be appealing, but it is difficult to keep. Over time, it can absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body smell. These odors can be hard to get rid of, especially when you have children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches aren't able to trap these odors like fabrics can make them a great choice for families with active families.
It is crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy poop. Use the tips listed above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the problem. The best option is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
If you are looking for a new leather sofa there are some things to be looking for. But the best way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes, but it should be evident when the sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa is supposed to be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a a plasticky feel. To test it, gently press your fingers to the surface of a couch and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.
If you notice vertical seams stitched across the back of a sofa, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its lifespan, but this isn't always immediately apparent. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose a sofa with an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less sturdy. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you are awestruck with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile option that's often on sale and can easily be adapted to your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a wide selection of fabrics that are stain-resistant. The sofa is modular and quite difficult to set up at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and endure wear and tear better than fabric. They can last for a long time. They also resist staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust which means they don't require the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. However, just like anything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to purchasing a leather couch - and it pays to be aware of what to look for before making your final decision.
If you're unsure whether your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing you should look over the material tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of leather or fabric it is made of. If you are unable to discover any information about the couch's materials then you can utilize your senses to make a decision.
The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. A genuine leather sofa has natural imperfections and may not be uniform in structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not genuine leather. This is because 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 that it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you are able to attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered with polyurethane or a weave, then it's an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and coarse when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with a reason. The material's warm, natural appearance and feel can enhance any living space. Plus modern tanning techniques gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to tell if the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to examine it closely. To better understand authenticity, examine the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be fake or bound.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Check the back of your couch to see if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of fabric, it's likely a fake or bonded leather couch.
Once you've determined that a sofa is genuine leather the next step is to match it with the rest of the furniture in your living space. For a crisp, coordinated style, match your couch with other furniture made of wood and line it up with pillows that echo the colors in your room. Or go for a more comfortable, lively arrangement by placing your sofa across from other pieces with an occasional table.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area so that it doesn't fade or develop scratches from direct sunlight. And if you want to protect your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent every two or three times a year.