How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if are purchasing genuine leather sofas due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal with the couch - take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the backing.
For example, one leather-upholstered 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 two seater leather sofa sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch has a bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it more soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor-removing agent that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your couch. 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 wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it off again.
Airing your leather out is another natural way to remove odors. If you are able, place the sofa outside in a sunny area to air it out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and also give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresh for longer by stopping it from absorption of the smells.
The scent of leather can be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. Over time, it can absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate, particularly if your home has pets or children. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to address the issue immediately. You can use the tips listed above or a product like Leather Honey to resolve the issue. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
There are a few clues to look for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade as you age but it should remain evident when the couch is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Bonded and faux leathers however, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the sofa's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it's likely faux-leather or bonded.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This means that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a sofa's frame can have a major impact on its durability however, it's not always obvious. 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 expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less robust. For extra durability, a hardwood frame must also be dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas you can still enjoy. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often available for sale and can be easily customized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It has a classic look and is available in a broad range of fabrics that are resistant to fade. The sofa is modular and a bit difficult to assemble at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas offer a unique appeal that other kinds of furniture cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can endure wear and tear better than fabrics. They 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. Leather couches aren't different. As with any other purchase, it's important to be aware of dangers before making a final decision.
If you are not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best leather couch to first look at the tag that identifies the material on the frame. This will tell you the exact type of material it is. However, you must make use of your senses to make an informed decision if you are unable to find any information on the material composition of the sofa.
The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading, and patterns in detail. Real pure leather sofa couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern or shading won't be consistent. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it's a clear giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it is not genuine leather. The reason for this is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut so big. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather, 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 coated with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and rough when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic, and for good reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it extra durability, so that it resists cracking or sagging. Because each hide has distinctive markings and grain, as well as blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators, the best way to tell whether you're buying genuine leather is to get close and close to it. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the surface texture patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is uniform and there are no noticeable blemishes, it's likely faux leather sofa set or bond leather.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create the furniture.
Look at the leather sofa company - bookmarkingworld.Review, back of your sofa to see whether there are any vertical seams. This indicates that the leather was constructed with attention to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.
If you've decided that the couch is authentic leather, the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your living space. Or go for a more fluid, acoustic arrangement by placing your sofa in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area so that it doesn't deteriorate or show scratches from direct sunlight. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.