How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying a real leather sofa. It is important to get close and personal to take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the backing.
For instance, a leather-upholstered couch CHOICE was tested with contact areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. The faux leather, however, often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather's moisture levels, making it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant against smells.
You can also use an organic odor remover like baking soda to get rid of unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again.
Airing your leather out is another way to eliminate smells. Set the couch in a sun-lit space to let it air out. This will remove any unwanted odors, and give the couch a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher longer by keeping it from absorption of odors.
The smell of leather can be attractive, but it's difficult to maintain. As time passes, it will absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to eliminate particularly when you have pets or children. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabrics can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to take action immediately. You can try a few of the tips above, or use a specific product like Leather Honey to address the issue. The best way to treat the issue is to prevent the problem, so make sure you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
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When shopping for a new leather sofa there are some things to be looking for. However, the best way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. This scent may fade with age but there should be no mistaking it when the sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the sofa's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the leather is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a significant impact on its life span, but it's not always clear. To make sure you're getting a sofa that will last, ask what kind of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. To improve durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget but still want an authentic leather sofa you love. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily customized to fit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is a classic style and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabric. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas offer a unique aesthetic that other forms of upholstery cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to be. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract allergens and dust, so they don't need as much regular care and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are some dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it's important to know what to look out for before making your final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is genuine leather, the first thing to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to find out what kind of fabric or leather it's made of. If you can't find any information regarding the couch's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can utilize your senses to make an informed decision.
leather couch with chaise should be examined closely, paying attention to the texture, shading and patterns. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be uniform. If the couch's surface appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it has a mesh-like backing in place of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it is not genuine 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 a sofa to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you can attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered with polyurethane or a weave, then it's a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a timeless piece, and for good reason. The soft, natural appearance and feel can enhance any living room. In addition modern tanning techniques provides it with the added strength to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is distinct with its own unique markings, grain and blemishes.
The best way to tell if the leather you are buying is authentic is to examine it up close. Examine the texture of the surface, its structure, and pattern for an even more precise view of its authenticity. If the structure is completely uniform and there aren't any noticeable blemishes, it's likely faux or bonded leather.
Another dead giveaway is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and is backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make furniture.
Take a look at the back of your couch to determine if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been made with care to last. If there are no seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.
If you've concluded that the couch is authentic leather the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that match the colors of your living space. Or go for a more fluid, acoustic layout by placing your couch across from other pieces with a coffee table in between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to avoid it from fading or forming scuffs. And if you want to protect your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protection product every two or three times a year.