How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to tell if you are purchasing genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the back.
For instance, one sofa that was 'leather couches for sale' CHOICE was tested with 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the 'non-contact' areas were a mixture of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich and natural. Faux leather is, however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a bad smell, it could be caused by pet urine or stains. In most cases, a good cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather which makes it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor remover that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternatively, you can put the solution in spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it again.
Airing your leather out is another method to get rid of odors. If possible, set the couch outside in a sun-lit area to let it air dry. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the couch a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresh for longer by preventing it from absorbing smells.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors are hard to eliminate, particularly if your home has children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy poop. You can try some of the suggestions above, or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best solution is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few indicators to look out for when shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine if it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. This scent may fade with age but there should be no mistaking it when a sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa is supposed to be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test, gentle press your fingers on the couch's surface and look for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.
Another indicator is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant impact on its lifespan, but it's not always obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're 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 prevent warping and mildew.
If you're on a tight budget it is possible to find an authentic leather sofa you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile choice that's usually offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are stain-resistant. However, this modular sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches offer a unique aesthetic that other forms of upholstery cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear better than fabrics. They will last for many years. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are a few 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 unsure whether your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing you need to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of leather or fabric it is made of. However, you must utilize your own senses to assist you in making an informed decision if you are unable to find any information on the materials used to make the sofa.
The sofa's surface should be examined closely with a keen eye on the patterns, shading and texture. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern or shading won't be uniform. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like back in place of coarse suede, it's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it is not real leather. The reason for this is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and 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, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is coated with a woven fabric or is covered with polyurethane, it is another indication that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a rough and coarse surface that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and for good reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living room. Modern tanning techniques give it additional durability, meaning that it resists cracking or sagging. Each hide is distinctive and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to know whether the leather you are buying is genuine is to examine it in person. For a better understanding of authenticity, examine the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be faux or bonded.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing made of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a standard feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed with materials that closely like the fabric used in making furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the couch's back appears like a piece of cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather couch.
If you've decided that a couch is genuine leather The next step is to pair it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated look, match your sofa to other wooden furniture and accent it with pillows that match the colors in your space. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing layout by putting the sofa in between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming 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.