How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if are purchasing genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal - take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to examine the backing.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather is, however, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
You can also make use of an organic odor remover 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 clean the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, squeeze it out or replace with another. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it off again.
The process of airing out your leather is another way to remove the smell. Set the couch in a sunny space to let it air out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors, and provide it with an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you want to avoid unpleasant odors then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. modern leather sofa will prevent your leather from absorbing smells and will keep it smelling nice for longer.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather can absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate particularly when you have children or pets. Leather couches don't absorb odors like fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
It's crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy poop. You can use the tips listed above or a product such as Leather Honey to fix the issue. The best option is to stop the problem from occurring, so make sure you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few clues to look out for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade as you age, but it should be clear when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a plasticky feel. To test, gently press your fingers against the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams stitched across the back of sofas, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan, but it's not always obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has a long lifespan. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less robust. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you are on a budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile option that's often available for sale and can be customized to fit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that has a classic design and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. This sofa is quite difficult to set up at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear better than fabric. They last for many years. They also resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens and therefore don't require as much regular maintenance and cleaning. However, as with anything else in life, there are some dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it's important to know what to look out for prior to making your final choice.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the tag that identifies the material that is attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of fabric it is. But, you should use your own senses to help make the right choice if you don't find any information about the material composition of the sofa.
A key indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in depth. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be consistent. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back in place of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If it has a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is a sign that it's not genuine leather. The reason for this is because animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut as large. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a couch 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 cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered with a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane, this is another sign that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in coating that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel can enhance any living room. In addition, a modern tanning process adds a bit of durability to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique, with its own marks, grain and blemishes.
The best way to determine whether the leather you are buying is authentic is to look at it closely. Examine the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an in-depth view of its authenticity. If the structure appears to be uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably fake or bonded leather.
Another obvious sign is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been constructed with care to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the couch's back appears like a single piece of cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
Once you've established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other living room furniture. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that match the color of your room. Or, you can opt for a comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and the addition of a coffee table.
Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or forming scratches. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.