7 Simple Tips For Rocking Your Real Leather Couch
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if are buying a genuine leather couch because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the backing.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather while the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be a natural, rich and luxurious. False leather, however, often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to stains or urine from your pet. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a small leather corner sofa conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it soft, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.
You can also use an organic odor eliminator such as baking soda to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can wring it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternatively, you can put the solution in spray bottles and spray it onto your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it over again.
The process of airing out your leather is another natural way to remove smells. Place the sofa in a bright space to let it air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and give the couch a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, keeping it from taking in odors.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing, it can be difficult to keep clean. In time, it may absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, or even body smell. These odors are hard to remove, especially in homes with pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't hold the odors as fabric upholstery make them a great option for families with active families.
If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to address the issue immediately. You can try some of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. Prevention is the best solution but be sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us with any questions.
There are a few indicators to look out for when shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine if it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. This aroma can dull as time passes, but it is impossible to miss it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test it, gently press your fingers against the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
Another indicator is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a significant effect on its longevity however, it's not always obvious. Ask what type of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has longevity for a long time. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. To ensure durability, a wooden frame must also be dried to prevent warping and mildew.
If you're on a tight budget it is possible to find an authentic leather sofa you will love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and flexible option that is often offered for sale and can be adapted to your home.
Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is classic in design and is available in hundreds of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. This sofa is a bit difficult to assemble at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas leather are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to come. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens which means they don't require more frequent care and cleaning. However, just like anything else in life, there are some pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa - and it is important to know what to look out for before making your final decision.
If you're unsure if your new couch is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the tag of materials that is attached to the frame. This will tell you exactly what kind of material it is. If you can't find any information about the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to help you 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. real leather sofa leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be uniform. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like back instead of rough suede, that's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another good test is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If it has a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's an indication 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 degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will sew and stitch through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered by an unwoven material or polyurethane it is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and coarse when it is touched.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with reasons. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. In addition modern tanning techniques adds a bit of durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Each hide is distinct with its own unique marks, grain and blemishes.
The best way to determine whether the leather you are buying is authentic is to examine it closely. To better understand the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface, pattern, and structure. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably fake or bond leather.
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 furniture.
Take a look at the back of your couch to see whether there are vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a piece of fabric, it's likely a lower-quality faux or Leather Cloud Couch couch that has been bonded.
Once you've determined that a sofa is genuine leather the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that complement the colors of your living space. You can also opt for more relaxed, energetic arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table between.
Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage, apply a leather protector agent every other year.