How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a genuine leather sofa. You should be able to walk up to the couch and inspect it closely. Touch, smell and turn the cushion over to check out the backing.
For example, a "leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The the non-contact areas were a mix of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. False leather on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor-removing agent that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of 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 into the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Airing your leather out is another way to remove smells. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sunny spot to let it air dry. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and also give the couch a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresh for longer by stopping it from absorption of odors.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to keep clean. In time, it may absorb odors from smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to eliminate, particularly in homes with pets or children. Fortunately, real leather couches don't trap these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery can, making them an ideal choice for households with active families.
It is crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy poop. You can try a few of the tips above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best way to treat the issue is to stop the problem from occurring, so make sure you train your dog to never pee on your couch.
2. Feel
When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa, there are a few things you should look out for. However, the best way to tell if it's real is to smell it and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. This scent may fade as time passes, but it is impossible to miss it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should also feel soft to the touch and warm to the. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is probably bonded or faux leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched across the back of a sofa, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its durability, but this isn't always immediately apparent. Find out what kind of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select an item that has an extended lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're shopping on a budget, there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless enjoy. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile option that's often on sale and can easily be adapted to your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It has a classic look and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are fade-resistant. However, this sofa requires assembly at home and the back cushions are prone to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are different from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They can last for a long time. They also resist staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require as much regular maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are a few issues to be aware of when buying a leather couch and it is important to know what to look out for prior to making your final choice.
If you're unsure if your new couch is genuine leather the first thing you should do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made from. However, you should also utilize your own senses to make an informed decision if you are unable to find any information on the material composition of 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, pattern, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it has a mesh-like backing in place of rough suede, that's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another test to take is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not real leather. This is because hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you are able to attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered by a woven material or polyurethane it is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and rough when touched.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and for good reason. The natural, warm design and feel 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 distinct with its own unique marks, grain and blemishes.
While labels and prices are excellent indicators but the best way to know whether you're buying genuine leather is to get close and intimate with it. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.
Check the back of your couch to see if there are any vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been 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 cloth, it's most likely a lower-quality faux or bonded leather couch.
If you've decided that a sofa is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your living room furniture. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the colors of your space. You can also opt for a more dynamic, relaxed layout by putting the sofa in between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to avoid it from fading or forming scuffs. And if you want to protect your investment by extending its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection agent every two or three times a year.