How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if you are purchasing genuine leather sofas due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and examine it closely. Touch, smell and turn the cushion to examine the back.
For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural, rich and luxurious. Faux leather is, however is often 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 clean will eliminate any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture and make it more supple, less fragile, and more resistant against smells.
You can also use an organic odor eliminator such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternatively, you can put the solution in the spray bottle and spray it onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.
Another natural way to remove odors from your leather is by airing it out. Place the sofa in a sun-lit space to let it air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and also give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will stop your leather from soaking up odors and keep it smelling good for a longer time.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate, especially when you have children or pets. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to take action immediately. Try some of the suggestions above or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the issue. Prevention is the best way to go, though, so be sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa, there are a few things to be looking for. The best way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The scent can fade as time passes however it is impossible to miss it when a sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this try pressing your fingertips on the sofa's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the material is probably bonded or faux leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another sign of a fake. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan however, it's not always clear. To ensure that you're getting a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget, there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless enjoy. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and flexible option that's often offered for sale and can be adapted to your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are resistant to fade. However, this modular sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a certain appeal that other types of upholstery can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can endure wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They will last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. Leather couches aren't different. Like any other purchase, it is important to be aware of the risks before making a final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is genuine leather the first thing to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to find out what kind of leather or fabric it's made from. If you cannot find any information about the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to make an informed decision.
The most important indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading, and patterns in depth. leather chaise lounge has natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in its structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a sure indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Another good test is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, that's a sign that it's not authentic leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut as big. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you can attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered by a woven material or polyurethane it is an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic, and for good reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living space. Additionally, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to resist cracking or sagging. Since each hide comes with distinctive marks and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While prices and labels are great pointers, the best way to determine whether you're buying authentic leather is to go close and close to it. To better understand the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure is uniform and there aren't any noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bonded leather.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.
Check the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather was constructed with attention to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the couch's back appears like a continuous piece of cloth, it's most likely a fake or bonded leather couch.
If you've decided that the couch is authentic leather The next step is to pair it up with the rest of your furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated look, match your couch with other wooden furniture and line it up with pillows that echo the colors in your space. You can also opt for more relaxed, energetic layout by putting the sofa between two pieces furniture with a table in between.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate or show scratches due to direct sunlight. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment use a leather protection agent at least once or twice a year.