How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You should be able to walk up to the couch and look at it with care. Feel, smell, and flip the cushion to examine the back.
For example, a "leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather, whereas non-contact areas were a mix of coated polyester and Cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa (vuf.minagricultura.gov.co wrote in a blog post) should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to stains or urine from pets. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather which makes it softer, less fragile, and more resistant against odors.
You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, squeeze it out or replace with an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it again.
Airing out your leather is another natural way to get rid of odors. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny area to let it air dry. This will help remove unwanted odors, and provide it with a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, preventing it from absorbing smells.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors can be hard to get rid of particularly when you have children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not trap these odors as fabrics can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
It's crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy poop. You can utilize the suggestions mentioned above or a product such as Leather Honey to resolve the problem. The best option is to stop the problem from occurring and ensure that you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
There are a few indicators to look for when shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes however it is impossible to miss it when a sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Leathers made of faux leather sofa and bonded are often colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the surface of the couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, then the material is probably bonded or faux leather.
Another indicator is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame of a leather couch can have a major effect on its lifespan, but it's not always obvious. To make sure you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what kind of wood is used to construct the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames aren't as sturdy. For added durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're shopping on a tight budget there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas you can still fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens vegan leather couch Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile option that's often offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic look and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are fade-resistant. The sofa requires assembly at home and its back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a certain appeal that other types of upholstery just can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear better than fabric. They last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are some pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for before making your final decision.
If you are not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric then you must first verify the materials tag that is attached to the frame. This will tell you exactly what kind of material it is. If you cannot find any information about the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can utilize your senses to make a decision.
The most important indicator is to take a close look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading, and patterns in detail. A real leather couch will have natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the couch's surface appears to be smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, this is a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it's not genuine leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are restricted in size and can be cut only to a certain degree. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you are able to, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is coated with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a rough and coarse coating that feels sturdy when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a classic and with good reason. The soft, natural design and feel can add a touch of class to any living space. Additionally the modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to withstand sagging or cracking. Because each hide has distinct markings, grain, and blemishes Every leather sofa is unique.
While labels and prices are excellent indicators however, the best way to tell whether you're buying authentic leather is to go up close and close to it. Check the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern for a more detailed look at its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there are no noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bonded leather.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather chaise lounge will have a more natural look and will be backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used in making the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This indicates that the leather was constructed with care to last. If there are no seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.
Once you've determined that a sofa is genuine leather the next step is to match it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, pair your sofa to other furniture made of wood and accent it with pillows that echo the colors of your room. You can also go for an energizing, relaxing layout by placing the couch between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or developing scuffs. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.