How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if are buying genuine leather sofas due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. You must 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' (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather while non-contact areas were made up of coated polyester and Cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. False leather, on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your sofa has a unpleasant smell, it could be due to pet urine or stains. In most cases, a good cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to smells.
You can also make use of an organic odor remover like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather sofa. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a fresh one. Alternately, you can pour the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it on your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it over again.
Airing out your leather is another natural way to eliminate odors. Set the couch in a bright space to let it air out. This will remove any unwanted odors, and give the couch a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will stop your leather from soaking up odors and keep it smelling good for longer.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, it can absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors can be difficult to get rid of especially when you have pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't hold the odors as fabric upholstery can, making them an ideal choice for families with active families.
It's crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy pee. You can try some of the suggestions above or you can try a specific product like Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best option, though, so be sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
If you are looking for a new leather sofa There are some things to be looking for. But the most effective 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, but there should be no mistaking it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched across the back of sofas, this is another dead giveaway. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its longevity, but it's not always obvious. To ensure you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what kind of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're shopping on a budget there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless enjoy. 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 is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. This sofa is somewhat difficult to put together at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches have a distinct appeal that other types of upholstery just cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They will last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are a few issues to be aware of when buying a leather sofa - and it is important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final decision.
If you are not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the tag that identifies the material that is attached to the frame. This will reveal the exact type of material it is. If you can't discover any information about the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to make an informed decision.
A good way to tell is to take a close look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a sure giveaway 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 its back, it's not genuine leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and can only be cut as large. tufted leather sofa -rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or cushion and examine the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered in a woven material or polyurethane it is an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and coarse when it is touched.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic with the reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so that it resists cracking or sliding. And because each hide has its own unique patterns and grain, as well as blemishes each leather couch is unique.
The best way to know if the leather you are buying is authentic is to look at it closely. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure, and pattern for an even more precise glimpse of its genuine. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be faux or bonding.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed with materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been constructed with care to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a single piece of cloth, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or leather couch that has been bonded.
Once you've established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with other furniture in your living room. For a crisp, coordinated style, pair your sofa to other wooden furniture and accent it with pillows that reflect the colors in your space. Or, you can opt for a comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch across from other pieces with the addition of a coffee table.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent every other year.