How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on 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 to smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the back.
For instance, a 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. The faux leather on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your sofa smells unpleasant, it could be due to urine from pets. In most cases, a good cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back the leather's moisture levels, making it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against odors.
Baking soda is a great natural odor-removing agent that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather couch. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, you can wring it out or switch to a new one. You can also put the solution into the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping again.
Airing l shaped leather couch out is another way to eliminate odors. If you are able, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will help remove unwanted odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you want to avoid unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing smells and will 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 odors from smoking, cooking, or even body smell. These odors are difficult to get rid of particularly if you have pets or children. Leather couches don't hold in these odors the way fabrics can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
It is crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy poop. You can use the tips listed above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the issue. The best option is to stop the problem from occurring, so make sure you train your dog to never 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. The best way to tell if it's real is to smell it and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. The smell can fade with age but it should remain evident when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a plasticky feel. To test, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. leather chaise lounge means the leather isn't one continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its durability but this isn't always immediately apparent. Ask what type of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select a sofa with an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less sturdy. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to prevent warping and mildew.
If you're on a budget but still want an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be customized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is a classic style and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are an exception to other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear much better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to be. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens, so they don't need the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. As with any other purchase, it is important to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the tag of materials that is attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of material it is. However, you should also use your own senses to help make a decision if you can't find any information about the composition of the material used in the sofa.
A key indicator is to take a close look at the couch's surface and observe 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 couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like backing in place of coarse suede, it's a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another test to take is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it isn't genuine leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and are only cut to a certain large. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is coated with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another sign that the sofa 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 classic with reasons. The material's warm, natural design and feel can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it additional durability, meaning that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to tell whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to inspect it in person. To better understand the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure appears to be uniform and there aren't obvious flaws, it's probably fake or bond leather.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a continuous piece of fabric, it's likely a fake or bonded leather sofa.
Once you've confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated style, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood and line it up with pillows that reflect the colors in your living space. You can also go for a more dynamic, relaxed arrangement by putting the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable between.
Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by extending its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection product every once or twice per year.