How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. You must get up close and personal to take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to examine the back.
For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the armrests and seats) in genuine leather while non-contact areas were a mix of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich and natural. The faux leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad, it could be due to urine from your pet. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove the smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather and make it more supple and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against smells.
You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it or replace it with a fresh one. You can also put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it again.
Another way to get rid of the smells of your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a sunny space to let it air out. This will help eliminate unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will stop your leather from soaking up smells and will keep it smelling nice for longer.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, it can absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to remove, especially if your home has children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't hold the odors as fabrics can, making them an ideal option for families with active families.
It's important to take action immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy urine. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the problem. Prevention is the best solution, though, so be sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
There are some clues to look for when buying a leather sofa, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The smell fades as you age however, it should be evident when the couch is new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and comfortable to touch. Bonded and faux leathers, on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the sofa's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, then the material is probably bonded or faux leather.
faux leather couch is if you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a major impact on its life span however, it's often not obvious. To ensure that you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used to construct the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. For added durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln-dried to prevent warping and mildew.
If you're on a budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you will love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible option that's often available for sale and can be customized to fit your home.
best leather couch -friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches offer a unique appeal that other kinds of upholstery can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and resist 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's important to be aware of pitfalls before making a final decision.
If you are not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric, you should first check the tag of materials that is on the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of material it is. If you cannot find any information about the couch's materials then you can use your senses to make an informed decision.
The sofa's surface is worth a close examination and pay attention to the patterns, shading and texture. A genuine leather sofa will have natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in terms of structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a sure indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If there is a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is a sign that it's not authentic leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are restricted in size and can be cut only to a certain degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch through the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you can attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or cushion and examine the back of the padding. If the back of the cushion is coated with an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another sign that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic for reasons. The warm, natural appearance and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Plus, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Because each hide has distinct markings and grain, as well as blemishes each leather couch is unique.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to determine whether you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and intimate with it. To better understand authenticity, examine the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
Another obvious sign is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and is backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with care to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the couch's back appears like a continuous piece of fabric, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather couch.
After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to pair it with your other living room furniture. For a sleek, unified style, pair your couch with other wooden furniture and accent it with pillows that match the colors in your room. You can also opt for more relaxed, energetic layout by placing the couch between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable between.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area to ensure it doesn't deteriorate or show scratches from direct sunlight. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage, apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.