How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to tell if you are purchasing genuine leather sofas due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the fabric.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the seats and armrests) with genuine leather. The 'non contact' areas were made up of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural, rich and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be caused by pet urine or stains. In most cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it soft, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a great natural odor remover that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather couch. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, squeeze it out or swap for an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it over again.
Another natural way to remove the smells from your leather is by airing it out. If you are able, place the couch outside in a sunny area to let it air out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors, and provide it with an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will stop your leather from absorbing odors and keep it smelling good for longer.
The scent of leather may be appealing, but it can be difficult to keep. Over time, leather can absorb odors such as smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to get rid of, especially if you have children or pets. Leather couches don't hold in these odors the way fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
It is crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy urine. Try some of the suggestions above or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best way to treat the issue is to stop the problem from occurring and ensure that you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
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There are a few indicators to look out for when shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine if it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. The smell fades with age, but it should be evident when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the surface of the couch and feel for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its lifespan however, this isn't always immediately apparent. To ensure that you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive option, while engineered or particle board frames are less robust. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're on a tight budget there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you could still fall in love with. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often on sale and can be easily customized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It has a classic design and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are an exception to other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for a long time to be. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are some dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it is important to be aware of what to look for before making your final choice.
If modern leather sofa whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather, the first thing to look over the material tag on the frame to find out exactly what type of fabric or leather it's made of. But, you should make use of your senses to make a decision if you can't find any information about the materials used to make the sofa.
A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. Genuine 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 in place of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it's not real leather. The reason is that animal hides are limited in their size, and they are only cut to a certain large. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you can raise a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of padding is covered with a woven material or polyurethane then this is an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a rough and coarse surface that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic with reasons. The material's warm, natural appearance and feel can enhance any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it extra durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. And because each hide has distinctive marks, grain, and blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to tell if you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and close to it. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the surface texture patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is uniform and there are no noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bonded leather.
Another dead giveaway is a polyurethane backing on the sofa's back. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make furniture.
Check the back of your sofa to see if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a continuous piece of cloth, it's likely a fake or bonded leather couch.
Once you've confirmed that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to pair it with your other living room furniture. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that complement the colors of your space. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing layout by putting the sofa in between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table in between.
Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to prevent it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent every other year.