How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and descriptions of the product, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a genuine leather sofa. You must get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to examine the backing.
For example, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE tested had contact areas (such as arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should be a natural, rich and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it may be due to urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you're not pleased with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to odors.
You can also make use of an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to get rid of unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can wring it out or switch to another. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it again.
Airing your leather out is another way to eliminate odors. If you are able, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from taking in unpleasant odors and keep it looking good for longer.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to eliminate particularly when you have children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches don't trap these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery, making them an ideal option for families with active families.
It's crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy poop. You can try a few of the suggestions above or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best solution is to stop the problem from occurring therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
If you are looking for a new leather sofa, there are some things to be looking for. But the best way to tell if it's real is to smell it and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. This scent may fade as time passes but it is impossible to miss it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have the impression of plastic. To test, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
Another dead giveaway is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.
Sofas & Couches of a sofa's frame can have a major impact on its durability, but this isn't always immediately apparent. 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 will be the most durable and expensive option, while engineered or particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you are on a budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you will love. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's frequently offered for sale and is easily personalized to fit 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 durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions are prone to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They will last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are some dangers when buying a leather couch and it is important to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the materials tag that is attached to the frame. This will tell you the exact type of material it is. If you cannot discover any information about the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make the decision.
The sofa's surface is worth a close examination and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If you see an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's a sign that it's not authentic leather. The reason for this is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and they are only cut to a certain large. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
Finally, if you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered in a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane, this is another sign that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in coating that feels solid when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Additionally modern tanning techniques gives it the added durability to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is distinctive and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to determine whether the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to look at it up close. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern for an even more precise look at its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there are no noticeable blemishes, it's likely faux or bonded leather.
Another obvious sign is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a standard feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been constructed with care to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of cloth, it's most likely a lower-quality faux or leather couch that has been bonded.
Once you've confirmed that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with other furniture for your living space. For a crisp, coordinated look, match your couch with other wooden furniture and accent it with pillows that match the colors in your living space. You can also go for a more dynamic, relaxed layout by placing the couch in between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table in between.
Remember to keep your leather sofa in a bright area to ensure it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent at least once or twice a year.