How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying a genuine leather sofa. You should get close to the couch and examine it carefully. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion to examine the back.
For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had "contact" areas (such as arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the 'non-contact' areas were a mixture of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to urine from your pet. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it more soft, less brittle, and more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor eliminator that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it or replace it with a fresh one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it over again.
The process of airing out your leather is another method to remove smells. Place the sofa in a sun-lit space to let it air out. This will help eliminate unpleasant odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from soaking up smells and will keep it smelling good for longer.
The scent of leather can be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. As time passes, leather will absorb odors such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate particularly when you have children or pets. Leather couches don't absorb odors like fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
If your couch smells akin to a pee-soaked puppy It is important to address the issue immediately. Try some of the tips above, or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the issue. Prevention is the best option, though, so be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
If you are looking for a new leather sofa, there are some things to be aware of. However, the best way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Real leather has an unmistakable unique, natural scent. This aroma can dull as time passes but there should be no mistaking it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm to the. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a plasticky feel. To test it, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and check for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the leather is likely to be faux leather sofa set or bonded leather.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on a leather couch can have a major impact on its lifespan however it's not always clear. Ask what type of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to avoid mildew or warping.
If you are on a budget but still want an authentic leather sofa you will love. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often on sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a broad range of fabrics that are fade-resistant. The sofa is modular and a bit difficult to assemble at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can endure wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They can last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it pays to know what to look out for before you make your final decision.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the materials tag that is attached to the frame. This will tell you exactly what kind of material it is. But, you should use your own senses to help make the right choice if you don't discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa.
The surface of the sofa is worth a close examination, paying attention to the texture, shading and patterns. A genuine leather sofa will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If you see a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, that's a sign that it's not true leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can be cut only to a certain extent. Top-rated manufacturers always 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 lift an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of padding is covered in polyurethane or a weave, then this is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a coarse and rough surface that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless design for a reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Plus, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to resist cracking or sagging. Since each hide comes with its own unique patterns, grain, and blemishes, every leather couch is unique.
The best way to know whether the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to examine it in person. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the texture of the surface, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it's likely to be faux or bound.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will look more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Look at the back of your couch to determine if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather was constructed with attention to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a single piece of fabric, it's likely a fake or bonded leather couch.
Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other living room furniture. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that complement the colors of your living space. You can also choose more relaxed, energetic layout by placing 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. And if you want to safeguard your investment by extending its lifespan, think about applying a cheap leather sofa protector every two or three times a year.