How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if you are buying genuine leather sofas because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You should be able to walk up to the couch and inspect it carefully. Touch, smell and turn the cushion over to check out the backing.
For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery however the non-contact areas were a mixture of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux 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 thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not pleased with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture levels, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor remover that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow leather pull out couch to dry before wiping it over again.
Airing your leather out is another way to eliminate odors. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air dry. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the couch a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher longer by keeping it from absorption of smells.
The scent of leather may be appealing, but it is difficult to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate, particularly when your home is occupied by children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches don't trap the odors as fabric upholstery can and are a good choice for households 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 tips above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best option is to prevent the problem, so make sure you train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Feel
If you are looking for a new leather sofa, there are a few things you should be looking for. The best way to tell if it's real is to smell it and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. The smell can fade as you age, but it should be evident when the sofa is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the touch and warm to the. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this try pressing your fingertips on the surface of the couch and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
If you see vertical seams stitched across the back of sofas, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.
The quality of the frame of a leather couch can have a major effect on its life span however, it's not always clear. To ensure that you're getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used to construct the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to avoid mildew or warping.
If you are on a tight budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile option that is often offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It has a classic look and is available in a wide selection of fabrics that are stain-resistant. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are an exception to other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly robust and withstand wear and tear far better than fabric, making them last for a long time to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are a few issues to be aware of when buying a leather couch and it pays to be aware of what to look for before making your final choice.
If you're unsure if your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover the exact type of fabric or leather it is made of. However, you should also use your own senses to assist you in making an informed decision if you are unable to find any information on the composition of the material used in the sofa.
A good way to tell is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and observe the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of coarse leather, it's a clear 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, this is an indication that it isn't true leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and can only be cut as big. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you are able to lift an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is coated with a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and rough when touched.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with a reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the material can elevate any living space. In addition the modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is distinct, with its own marks, grain and blemishes.
While prices and labels are great pointers but the best way to determine whether you're buying genuine leather is to get close and intimate with it. Check the texture, structure and pattern to get an in-depth look at its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws, it's most likely fake or bonded leather.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a further indicator. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather couch.
Once you've established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other living room furniture. Match your couch with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the color of your living space. Or, you can opt for a relaxed, dynamic arrangement by placing your sofa across from other pieces with the addition of a coffee table.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area to ensure it doesn't fade or leave scratches from direct sunlight. 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.