How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather couches due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. leather couches for sale need to get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and then turn over a couch to look at the back.
For instance, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE was tested with contact areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were a mixture of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. False leather, on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your sofa smells unpleasant it could be due to urine from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather's moisture which makes it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant to smells.
You can also use an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather couch. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can wring it or replace it with a new one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.
Another natural way to remove the smells of your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will eliminate any unpleasant odors, and give the sofa an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely You can buy a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresh for longer by preventing it from absorbing smells.
The scent of leather may be appealing, but it is difficult to maintain. Over time, it can absorb odors from smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors are difficult to get rid of particularly when you have pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't hold these odors in the same way that fabrics can and are a good option for families with active families.
It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy pee. Try some of the suggestions above or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best option is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few clues to look for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. The scent can fade as you age but it is impossible to miss it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips onto the surface of the couch and look for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a significant impact on its longevity however, it's not always clear. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're on a tight budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good 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 a different budget-friendly option. It is a classic design and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are fade-resistant. The sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and can withstand wear and tear far better than fabrics, which makes them last for years to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are some dangers when purchasing a leather couch - and it is important to know what to look out for before you make your final decision.
If you're not sure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather, the first thing you need to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to find out the exact type of fabric or leather it's made of. But, you should make use of your senses to help make the right choice if you don't discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The most important indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading and patterns in detail. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in its structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it's a sure indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If you see an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, that's a sign that it's not true leather. This is because hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. To ensure the best quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you can attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered in a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and rough when touched.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic for reasons. The natural, warm feel and look of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is unique with its own unique marks, grain and blemishes.
The best way to determine if the leather you are buying is authentic is to look at it closely. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonded.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. 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 a sign that the leather was constructed with care 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 most likely a fake or bonded leather sofa.
If you've concluded that a sofa is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the color of your space. Or, you can opt for a comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch against other furniture pieces and placing the addition of a coffee table.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to avoid it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent once or twice per year.