How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be 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 - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the backing.
For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE test had 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch has a bad smell, it could be caused by pet urine or stains. In most cases, a good cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather's moisture levels which makes it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to odors.
You can also make use of an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, wring it out or switch to an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it again.
The process of airing out your leather is another natural way to get rid of the smell. Set the couch in a bright area to air out. This will help remove unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you want to avoid unpleasant odors You can buy an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from taking in odors and keep it smelling nice for longer.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, leather can absorb odors, such as smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to eliminate particularly if you have pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't hold these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery can make them a great option for families with active families.
If your couch smells like the scent of a puppy's pee It's crucial to address the issue immediately. You can use the tips listed above or a product such as Leather Honey to fix the problem. The best way to treat the issue is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to train your dog to never pee on your couch.
2. Contact us with any questions.
There are some clues to look out for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. This aroma can dull with age, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers, on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test it, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a significant impact on its longevity, but this isn't always evident. To make sure l shaped leather couch getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less robust. To ensure durability, wood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If leather sofa with chaise are on a budget it is possible to find an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often offered for sale and is easily personalized to fit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is a classic style and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home and the back cushions are prone to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a distinct appeal that other types of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and endure wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They last for a long time. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract allergens and dust, so they don't need the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are issues to be aware of when buying a leather couch and it is important to be aware of what to look for before making your final decision.
If you're not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the materials tag attached to the frame. This will inform you the exact type of material it is. If you are unable to discover any information about the couch's materials, you can utilize your senses to make a decision.
The couch's surface should be examined closely, paying attention to the texture, shading and patterns. A real leather couch has natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in terms of structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth, or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a clear indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it's not real leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut so big. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to lift a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered with an unwoven material or polyurethane then this is an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in coating that feels sturdy when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless design for reasons. The natural, warm appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Plus the modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
While prices and labels are great pointers but the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to get close and personal with it. Examine the surface texture, structure and pattern for an even more precise view of its authenticity. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bonded leather.
Another obvious sign is a polyurethane backing on the back of the sofa. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used to create the furniture.
Look at the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a piece of fabric, it's likely a lower-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other living room furniture. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that complement the colors of your space. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing layout by placing the couch between two pieces furniture with a coffeetable in between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming scuffs. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent every other year.