How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather sofa. You need to get up close and personal - take a whiff, feel and flip over a couch to look at the fabric.
For example, a "leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the armrests and seats) in genuine leather while 'non contact' areas were a mix of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. The faux leather, however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a unpleasant smell, it could be due to pet urine or stains. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it more soft, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.
You can also use an organic odor remover such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, wring it out or replace with another. You can also put the solution into spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.
Another natural way to remove the smells from your leather is by airing 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 avoid unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresh for longer by stopping it from absorption of the smells.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, it can absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors can be hard to eliminate, especially if you have pets or children. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
If your sofa smells like the scent of a puppy's pee It's crucial to address the issue immediately. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the problem. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
When shopping for a new leather sofa, there are a few things to be looking for. The best way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade with age however it is impossible to miss it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather couch is supposed to be warm and soft to touch. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this, gently press your fingers to the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams stitched on the back of sofas, this is another dead giveaway. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a sofa's frame can have a significant impact on its lifespan however, this isn't always immediately apparent. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has an extended lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. For added durability, a frame made of hardwood must also be dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you are on a budget it is possible to find an authentic leather sofa you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and versatile option that is often offered for sale and can be adapted to your home.
Another budget-friendly option 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. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
l shape leather sofa are an exception to other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear better than fabric, making them last for years to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. Leather couches aren't different. Like every other purchase, it is crucial to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final decision.
If you're unsure if your new couch is genuine leather the first thing to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to discover exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made of. If you can't find any information regarding the sofa's material composition then you can use your senses to make the decision.
The sofa's surface is worth a close examination and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. A real leather couch will have natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in its structure, pattern, or shading. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, it's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it isn't real leather. This is because animal hides are limited in size and can be cut only to a certain degree. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of a couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you are able to lift a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered by a woven material or polyurethane it is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and rough when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic for the reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the material can enhance any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it additional durability, meaning that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to determine if the leather you are buying is genuine is to look at it closely. For a better understanding of authenticity, examine the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a standard feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and is backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This indicates that the leather was constructed with attention to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a piece of cloth, it's most likely a lower-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
Once you've determined that a sofa is genuine leather, the next step is to match it with the rest of the furniture in your living space. For a sleek, unified look, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood, and line it up with pillows that reflect the colors of your space. You can also opt for a more dynamic, relaxed arrangement by putting the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between.
Remember to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area to ensure it doesn't deteriorate or show scuff marks from direct sunlight. And if you want to safeguard your investment by extending its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection product every two or three times a year.