How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if are buying a genuine leather couch because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You should get close to the couch and look at it carefully. Touch, smell and flip the cushion to check out the backing.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather, whereas the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a bad smell, it may be caused by pet urine or stains. In leather living room sets of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it more soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to odors.
You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather couch. If the cloth starts to absorb dirt, you can wring it out or replace with another. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again.
Another way to get rid of the smells from your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a sunny space to let it air out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors, and provide it with a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresh for longer by stopping it from absorbing smells.
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 those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to get rid of especially when you have pets or children. Genuine leather couches do not trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
It is crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy pee. You can try a few of the tips above, or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best way to treat the issue is to avoid the issue therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Feel
When shopping for a new leather sofa, there are some things to be aware of. However, the best way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. The smell fades with age but it should remain evident when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have the impression of plastic. To test this test, gently press your fingers to the surface of the couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is probably bonded or faux leather.
Another dead giveaway is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a significant effect on its lifespan however, it's not always obvious. Ask what type of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has a long lifespan. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as robust. To ensure durability, wood frames must be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you are on a tight budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and versatile choice that's usually on sale and can easily be customized to suit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It has a classic look and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are resistant to fade. The sofa is modular and quite difficult to set up at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches offer a unique aesthetic that other forms of upholstery can't match. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear much more than fabric, making them last for years to be. They also resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens which means they don't require more frequent care and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. Like any other purchase, it is important to be aware of pitfalls before making a final decision.
If you're unsure whether your new couch is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the materials tag on the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of material it is. However, you must utilize your own senses to help make a decision if you can't find any information about the materials used to make the sofa.
The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and look at the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. A real leather couch will have natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in its structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of coarse leather, it's a sure indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it's not authentic leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut so large. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew throughout the back of a sofa to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you can lift an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of padding is covered by polyurethane or a weave, then it's an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and rough when it is touched.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with a reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living space. In addition modern tanning techniques provides it with the added strength to withstand sagging or cracking. Since each hide comes with distinct patterns, grain, and blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While labels and prices are great pointers however, the best way to determine if you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and close to it. Check the texture, structure and pattern for an in-depth look at its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it's likely to be fake or bound.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and is backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create the furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that's been carefully constructed to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the couch's back appears like a piece of fabric, it's likely a fake or leather couch that has been bonded.
If modern leather couch decided that a couch is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the colors of your room. You can also choose a more dynamic, relaxed arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table between.
Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming scuffs. And if you want to safeguard your investment by extending its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection product once or twice a year.