How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather sofa. You must get up close and personal to take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to examine the backing.
For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE tested had "contact" areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich and natural. The faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa smells unpleasant it could be due to urine from your pet. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor-removing agent that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, wring it out or swap for a new one. Alternately, you can pour the solution into the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again.
The process of airing out your leather is another natural way to remove odors. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sunny spot to let it air dry. This will help eliminate unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher for longer, stopping it from absorption of the smells.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate, particularly in homes with pets or children. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
If your couch smells akin to a pee-soaked puppy It is important to take action immediately. You can try some of the suggestions above or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best solution is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few clues to look out for when buying a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine if it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. This aroma can dull with age but it is impossible to miss it when a sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to the touch. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a a plasticky feel. To test, gentle press your fingers on the couch's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't l shape leather sofa on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a significant effect on its lifespan, but it's not always obvious. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the type of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. For extra durability, a wooden frame must also be dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you are on a tight budget but still want a genuine leather sofa that you will love. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently on sale and can be easily customized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It is a classic design and is available in a wide range of fabrics that are resistant to fade. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are different from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can endure wear and tear better than fabric. They can last for many years. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require the same amount of regular care and cleaning. However, just like anything else in life, there are a few issues to be aware of when buying a leather sofa - and it's important to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final decision.
If you're unsure if your new sofa is genuine leather, the first thing to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to find out the exact type of leather or fabric it is made of. If you cannot discover any information about the couch's material composition, you can use your senses to help you make an informed decision.
The couch's surface should be examined closely with a keen eye on the pattern, texture, and shading. A real leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and may not be uniform in terms of structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing in place of coarse suede, it's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If it has a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it isn't genuine leather. The reason is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut as large. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to lift an area and examine 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 sturdy and coarse when touched.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic for a reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Additionally modern tanning techniques provides it with the added strength to withstand sagging or cracking. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive marks, grain and blemishes.
The best way to determine whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to examine it closely. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an even more precise view of its authenticity. If the structure is completely uniform and there aren't any visible flaws, it's most likely faux or bonded leather.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch for 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 appears like a continuous piece of cloth, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather couch.
Once you've confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other furniture for your living space. For a sleek, unified style, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood and line it with pillows that match the colors in your room. You can also go for more relaxed, energetic layout by placing the couch between two pieces of furniture with a table in between.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't fade or develop scratches due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent every other year.