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 know whether you're buying a real leather sofa. You should be able to walk up to the couch and inspect it carefully. Smell, touch and turn the cushion over to examine the back.
For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' 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 coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather is, however is often chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a bad smell, it may be due to pet urine or stains. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not happy with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back the leather's moisture and make it more supple and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also put the solution in spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Another method to eliminate the smells of your leather is by airing it out. Set the couch in a sun-lit space to let it air out. This will help remove unwanted odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher longer by keeping it from absorbing the smells.
The scent of leather can be appealing, but it can be difficult to keep. In time, it may absorb smells from smoking, cooking, or even body smell. These odors can be difficult to remove, especially in homes with pets or children. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
It's important to take action immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy pee. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product such as Leather Honey to resolve the issue. The best option is to stop the problem from occurring, so make sure you train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Feel
If you are looking for a new leather sofa, there are a few things to be looking for. However, the most effective way to determine if it's real is to smell it and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. This aroma can dull as time passes however there should be no mistaking it when a sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and comfortable to touch. Faux and bonded leathers however are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this test, gently press your fingers onto the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely faux-leather or bonded.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches .
The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a major effect on its life span however it's not always obvious. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you select a sofa with a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're on a budget it is possible to find an authentic leather sofa you love. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish 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 budget-friendly option. It is a classic design and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are stain-resistant. However, this sofa requires assembly at home, and its back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches have a certain appeal that other types of upholstery cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They can last for many years. They also resist staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require the same amount of regular care and cleaning. However, as with anything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for before making your final choice.
If you're unsure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather, the first thing to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to find out exactly what type of fabric or leather it's made from. However, you should also make use of your senses to help make an informed decision if you are unable to discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa.
A good way to tell is to take a close look at the couch's surface and observe the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. A real leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and may not be uniform in terms of structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like back in place of coarse suede, this is an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on its back, it isn't genuine leather. This is due to the fact that hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is coated with a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and rough when touched.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic with a 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 added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is distinctive with its own unique markings, grain and blemishes.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to tell if you're buying authentic leather is to get up close and personal with it. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern for an even more precise glimpse of its genuine. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it is likely to be faux or bound.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a different indicator. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create furniture.
Take a look at the back of your couch to determine whether there are vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. If there are no seams, and the rear appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.
After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to pair it with your other living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that complement the colors of your room. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment use a leather protection agent once or twice per year.