How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather couches due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to check the fabric.
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 cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to stains or urine from pets. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor-removing agent that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, wring it out or switch to an alternative. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Another way to get rid of the smells from your leather is by airing it out. If you are able, place the couch outside in a sun-lit area to air it out. This will help eliminate unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from soaking up smells and will keep it smelling good for a longer time.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, leather may absorb odors such as smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be hard to get rid of particularly when you have children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not absorb odors like fabrics can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
It is crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy pee. Try some of the tips above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to treat the issue. The best solution is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
There are some clues to look out for when shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable method to determine whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. The scent can fade with age however, it should be evident when the sofa is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a significant effect on its durability however, this isn't always immediately apparent. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what kind of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To ensure durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln-dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless enjoy. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and versatile option that is often on sale and can easily be adapted to your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and stand up to wear and tear better than fabric. They last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. Leather couches aren't any different. As with any other purchase, it is important to be aware of the risks before making a 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 attached to the frame. This will reveal the exact type of material it is. If you are unable to discover any information about the sofa's material composition then you can use your senses to make a decision.
The couch's surface is worth a close examination, paying attention to the texture, shading and patterns. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a dead indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Another test to take is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If it has stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn't true leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and they are only cut to a certain large. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you are able, lift up an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another indication that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in coating that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and with good reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living room. Plus, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to tell whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to examine it in person. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it is likely to be faux or bound.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and is backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to create furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. If there are no seams and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a faux or bonded leather couch.
Once leather chaise lounge 've established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other furniture for your living space. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that match the color of your room. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing arrangement by putting the couch in 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're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage, apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.