How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if you are buying genuine leather couches due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and look at it closely. Touch, smell and flip the cushion to examine the back.
For instance, a 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be a natural, rich and luxurious. Faux leather however is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa has a bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it softer and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a great natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternately, you can pour the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it off again.
Another natural way to remove the smells from your leather is to air it out. If possible, set the couch outside in a sunny spot to let it air out. This will help eliminate unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresh for longer by keeping it from taking in smells.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. In time, it may absorb odors from smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors can be hard to get rid of, especially when you have pets or children. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
If your sofa smells like an odor of a dog that has peed on it It is important to get the problem addressed immediately. Use the tips listed above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the issue. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Feel
There are a few clues to look out for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Leather with genuine leather Sofa set leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. This aroma can dull as time passes, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have the impression of plastic. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the material is likely to be fake or bonded 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 continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a major effect on its lifespan however it's not always clear. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. For extra durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln dried to prevent warping and mildew.
If you are on a budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile option that's often offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabric. However, this sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are a class apart from other types of upholstery. 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 dust and other allergens, so they don't need as much regular maintenance and cleaning. However, just like anything else in life, there are some issues to be aware of when purchasing a leather couch - and it pays to know what to look out for before you make your final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the materials tag that is attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of fabric 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 composition of the material used in the sofa.
A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. Real leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be consistent. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a sure indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If there is an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's a sign that it's not true leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut as large. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather chaise lounge and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able, lift up one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of padding is covered with an unwoven material or polyurethane it is a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a rough and coarse coating that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with reasons. The natural, warm appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Plus modern tanning techniques adds a bit of durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is distinctive, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to know if the leather cloud couch you are buying is genuine is to look at it in person. To better understand the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure appears to be uniform and there are no noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or the leather is bonded.
Another dead giveaway is a polyurethane backing on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and is backed by materials that closely like the fabric used to make furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been made 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 cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. For a crisp, coordinated style, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood, and line it up with pillows that echo the colors of your space. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic arrangement by placing your sofa in a row with other furniture pieces, and the addition of a coffee table.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate or show scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to protect your investment by prolonging its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection agent every two or three times a year.