The Real Leather Couch Success Story You ll Never Imagine
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 determine whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. You need to get up close and personal - take a whiff, feel and flip over a couch to look at the fabric.
For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE test had contact areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. faux leather sofa leather, however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In most cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you're not pleased with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor-removing agent that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, squeeze it out or switch to an alternative. Alternatively, you can put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it over your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again.
The process of airing out your leather lounge suite is another way to remove smells. Set the couch in a sunny space to let it air out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the couch a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing smells and will keep it smelling good for longer.
The scent of leather may be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. Over time, it can absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially if your home has children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not trap these odors as fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
It is crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy poop. You can use the tips mentioned above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the problem. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us with any questions.
There are a few clues to look for when you are shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. The scent can fade as time passes 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 the impression of plastic. To test it, gentle press your fingers on the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.
Another indicator is if you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a significant impact on its durability however, this isn't always immediately apparent. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select an item that has an extended lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. For extra durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln-dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a tight budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you are awestruck with. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa set price Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often available for sale and can be easily customized to match 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 selection of fabrics that are stain-resistant. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and resist wear and tear far better than fabric, making them last for many years to come. They also tend to resist staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust which means they don't require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches are no different. Like any other purchase, it's crucial to be aware of risks before making a final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the materials tag attached to the frame. This will inform you the exact type of material it is. But, you should utilize your own senses to help make the right choice if you don't discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The sofa's surface must be carefully examined with a keen eye on the patterns, shading and texture. Real leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of coarse leather, it's a sure indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not real leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut so big. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to, lift up an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered in a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and coarse when it is touched.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and for good reason. The soft, natural design and feel can add a touch of class to any living space. In addition modern tanning techniques adds a bit of durability to withstand cracks and sagging. And because each hide has its own unique marks and grain, as well as blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While labels and prices are excellent indicators, the best way to tell if you're buying authentic leather is to get close and close to it. For a better understanding of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it is likely to be fake or bonded.
Another dead giveaway is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a standard feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and is backed by materials that closely like the fabric used in making furniture.
Take a look at the back of your sofa to see whether there are vertical seams. This is a sign the reupholster leather couch has been constructed with care to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a continuous piece of cloth, it's likely a lower-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
If you've decided that the couch is authentic leather, the next step is to match it with the rest of your living room furniture. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your room. You can also choose more relaxed, energetic layout by placing the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable between.
Make 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 want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment use a leather protection agent every other year.