How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a genuine leather sofa. You must get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the backing.
For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich and natural. Faux leather is, however is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa has a bad smell, it may be due to stains or pet urine. In most cases, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it soft, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor remover that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.
Another way to get rid of odors from your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a bright area to let it air. This will help eliminate unpleasant odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will stop your leather from absorbing smells and will keep it smelling good for a longer time.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing, it can be difficult to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors can be hard to get rid of particularly if you have pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't trap the odors as fabrics can and are a good choice for families with active families.
It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy poop. You can try a few of the tips above, or you can try a specific product like Leather Honey to address the issue. The best option is to avoid the issue and ensure that you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few clues to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to determine if it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. The smell fades with age, but it should be evident when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the touch and warm to the. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have the impression of plastic. To test sofas leather pressing your fingertips onto the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of the sofa, it's another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a significant impact on its lifespan however it's often not obvious. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used in the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To ensure durability, wood frames should be dried kiln to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're for a price that isn't too expensive, there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you could still be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible option that is often available for sale and can be customized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic look and is available in a broad range of fabrics that are stain-resistant. This modular sofa is a bit difficult to assemble at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are different from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and resist wear and tear better than fabric, making them last for many years to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are some issues to be aware of when buying a leather couch and it pays to know what to look out for before making your final choice.
If you're not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the materials tag on the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of material it is. However, you must make use of your senses to help make the right choice if you don't find any information about the material composition of the sofa.
The sofa's surface should be examined closely, paying attention to the patterns, shading and texture. leather couch and loveseat is likely to have imperfections that are natural and will not be perfectly uniform in its structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back in place of rough suede, that's a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it's not real leather. This is because animal hides are restricted in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able raise an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered by a woven material or polyurethane then this is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and rough when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and for good reason. The natural, warm feel and look of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so that it resists cracking or sliding. Each hide is distinct, with its own markings, grain and blemishes.
The best way to know whether the leather you're purchasing is genuine is to look at it up close. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure is completely uniform and there aren't visible flaws, it's most likely faux or bond leather.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a standard feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely like the fabric used to make furniture.
Take a look at the back of your couch to see if there are any vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been constructed with attention to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of cloth, it's most likely a fake or bonded leather sofa.
Once you've determined that the couch is authentic leather The next step is to match it with the rest of the furniture in your living space. For a crisp, coordinated look, match your couch with other furniture made of wood, and line it with pillows that reflect the colors in your living space. You can also choose an energizing, relaxing arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area to ensure it doesn't fade or develop scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent at least once or twice a year.