How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather sofa. You should be able to walk up to the couch and look at it carefully. Touch, smell and flip the cushion to examine the back.
For leather sofa with chaise , a "leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather while non-contact areas were made of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch smells bad it could be due to stains or pet urine. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather's moisture which makes it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, wring it out or swap for another. Alternatively, you can put the solution into spray bottles and spray it over your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it again.
Another method to eliminate odors from your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a sun-lit area to air out. This will eliminate any unwanted odors, and provide it with a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing unpleasant odors and keep it looking nice for longer.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to keep clean. As time passes, it will absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, or even body smell. These odors can be difficult to get rid of particularly when you have children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabrics can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
If your couch smells akin to an odor of a dog that has peed on it It's crucial to get the problem addressed immediately. You can use the tips given above or a product such as Leather Honey to fix the issue. Prevention is the best option but be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us with any questions.
There are a few indicators to look out for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine if it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when a sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this test, gently press your fingers onto the sofa's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its longevity however, it's not always obvious. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what kind of wood is used to construct the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. For extra durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to prevent warping and mildew.
If you're shopping on a budget There are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can still fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile option that's often offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It has a classic look and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are resistant to fade. This sofa is a bit difficult to assemble at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a distinct appeal that other types of upholstery just cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They can last for many years. They also resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens and therefore don't require the same amount of regular care and cleaning. Leather couches are no different. As with any other purchase, it is essential to be aware of the risks before making a final decision.
If you're unsure if the sofa you bought is genuine leather, the first thing to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to determine what kind of fabric or leather it's made of. However, you should also use your own senses to assist you in making a decision if you can't find any information on the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The surface of the sofa is worth a close examination, paying attention to the patterns, shading and texture. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it's a clear indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it is not genuine leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch across the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able lift an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of padding is covered in polyurethane or a weave, it is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and coarse when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless piece, and for good reason. The natural, warm feel and look of the material can enhance any living space. In addition, a modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to withstand sagging or cracking. Because each hide has its own unique patterns and blemishes, grain, and marks, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to tell whether the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to examine it up close. 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 is uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bonded leather.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is another dead giveaway. 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 to create furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with care to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it is likely to be a faux or bonded-leather couch.
After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other furniture in your living room. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the color of your room. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic layout by placing your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.
Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to avoid it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent every other year.