How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying a real leather couch. You should be able to walk up to the couch and inspect it with care. Smell, touch and flip the cushion to examine the back.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather, whereas the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. Faux leather is, however typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to stains or urine from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant against smells.
Baking soda is a great natural odor remover that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. Alternately, you can pour the solution into spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it again.
Another method to eliminate odors from your leather is to air it out. Set leather sofa set in a sun-lit area to air out. This will eliminate any unwanted odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresh for longer by keeping it from absorbing odors.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to keep clean. In time, it may absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially in homes with pets or children. Fortunately, leather couches aren't able to trap these odors like fabrics can, making them an ideal option for families with active families.
If your couch smells akin to an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it's important to address the issue immediately. Use the tips given above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the problem. The best way to treat the issue is to stop the problem from occurring and ensure that you train your dog to not pee on your couch.
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There are some clues to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. This aroma can dull with age, but there should be no mistaking it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a a plasticky feel. To test this, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a major impact on its longevity however it's often not obvious. To ensure you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used to construct 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, wood frames must be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're shopping on a budget There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless be captivated by. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is a classic style and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa is modular and quite difficult to set up at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are different from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabric, making them last for a long time to come. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are a few dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it's important to know what to look out for before you make your final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is genuine leather the first thing to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover the exact type of leather or fabric it's made of. If you cannot discover any information about the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can utilize your senses to make an informed decision.
The surface of the sofa must be carefully examined, paying attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the surface of a couch appears 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.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on its back, it isn't genuine 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 that it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you can lift one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered with an unwoven material or polyurethane it is a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless design for reasons. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. Plus, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Since each hide comes with distinctive markings, grain, and blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to tell if the leather you are buying is authentic is to examine it closely. To get a better idea of the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface, pattern, and 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 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 look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.
Look at the back of your couch to see if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather has been made with care to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.
After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated style, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood and line it with pillows that match the colors of your space. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic arrangement by placing your sofa across from other pieces with a coffee table in between.
Remember to keep your leather sofa in a bright area to ensure it doesn't fade or develop scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by extending its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection product once or twice a year.