How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if you are buying genuine leather sofas due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and examine it closely. Smell, touch and turn the cushion to check out the backing.
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 cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather, on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to urine from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather which makes it softer, less fragile, and more resistant against smells.
You can also use an organic odor remover such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather sofa. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, wring it out or replace with a new one. leather couches for sale sofasandcouches can also put the solution into the spray bottle and spray it onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Another natural way to remove the smells of your leather is to air it out. Place the sofa in a sunny area to air out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresh for longer by stopping it from absorbing odors.
The smell of leather can be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. As time passes, leather will absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors are hard to get rid of, especially when your home is occupied by children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't trap these odors in the same way that fabrics can and are a good option for families with active families.
If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to address the issue immediately. You can use the tips listed above or a product such as Leather Honey to fix the problem. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Feel
There are a few indicators to look for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. This scent may fade with age but it is impossible to miss it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather couch is supposed to be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers however, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this test, gently press your fingers to the sofa's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely faux-leather or bonded.
Another dead giveaway is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a significant impact on its longevity however it's often not obvious. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose a sofa with an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as sturdy. For added durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln dried to prevent warping and mildew.
If you are on a tight budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you are awestruck with. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's frequently available for sale and can be easily customized to fit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is classic in design and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabric. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are different from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for years to come. They also resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract allergens and dust which means they don't require more frequent care and cleaning. However, just like anything else in life, there are some pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa - and it pays to be aware of what to look for before you make your final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is genuine leather the first thing you should do is examine the materials tag on the frame to determine what kind of fabric or leather it's made of. However, you must utilize your own senses to make a decision if you can't find any information on the materials used to make the sofa.
The couch's surface must be carefully examined and pay attention to the texture, shading and patterns. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern or shading won't be consistent. If the couch's surface appears to be smooth and uniform, or has a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, this is an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has 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 they can only be cut so big. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather.
If you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered with a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another sign that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels sturdy when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with a reason. The soft, natural design and feel can add a touch of class to any living space. Plus the modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to resist cracking or sagging. Since each hide comes with distinctive marks and blemishes, grain, and marks Every leather sofa is unique.
While prices and labels are great pointers but the best way to tell if you're buying authentic leather is to get close and personal with it. To better understand 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 is completely uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bonded leather.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used to create the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that's been carefully constructed to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the couch's back appears like a continuous piece of fabric, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with other furniture for your living space. For a sleek, unified look, match your couch with other wooden furniture and line it with pillows that reflect the colors in your living space. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic arrangement by placing your sofa against other furniture pieces and placing an occasional table.
Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent every other year.