How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. You need to get up close and personal to smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the fabric.
For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE was tested with 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the 'non-contact' areas were made of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa has a bad smell, it could be caused by pet urine or stains. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor-removing agent that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather couch. If the cloth starts to pick up dirt, you can wring it out or swap for a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it off again.
Another natural way to remove the smells of your leather is by airing it out. Place the sofa in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will remove any unwanted smells and give the sofa a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant smells altogether You can buy an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will stop your leather from absorbing smells and will keep it smelling good for a longer time.
The scent of leather may be appealing, but it can be difficult to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, especially when you have children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't trap these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery can make them a great choice for families with active families.
It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy urine. You can utilize the suggestions listed above or a product like Leather Honey to resolve the problem. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
There are some clues to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable unique, natural scent. The smell fades as time passes but it should remain clear when the couch is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Bonded and faux leathers however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of the frame of leather couches can have a significant impact on its longevity however it's often not obvious. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which 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 aren't as sturdy. For added durability, a wooden frame must also be dried to prevent warping and mildew.
If you're shopping on a budget there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can still fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible option that's often offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic look and is available in a wide range of fabrics that are stain-resistant. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear far better than fabric, making them last for years to come. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust which means they don't require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are a few issues to be aware of when purchasing a leather couch - and it is important to be aware of what to look for before making your final choice.
If you're not sure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing to look over the material tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of fabric or leather it is made of. However, you should also use your own senses to make a decision if you can't find any information on the material composition of the sofa.
The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in detail. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in its structure, pattern, or shading. If the couch's surface appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back instead of rough suede, that's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn't authentic leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut so big. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew throughout the back of a couch to ensure that it's genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
Finally, if you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered with polyurethane or a weave, it is a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels sturdy when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic for reasons. The natural, warm feel and look of the material can enhance any living space. Additionally the modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to tell if the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to inspect it up close. Check the surface texture, structure, and pattern for an even more precise glimpse of its genuine. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bound.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used to create the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. If there aren't any seams and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded-leather couch.
Once you've determined that a sofa is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated look, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood and accent it with pillows that reflect the colors of your living space. You can also choose a more dynamic, relaxed layout by placing the couch between two pieces furniture, with a coffee table in between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.