How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a genuine leather sofa. You should get close to the couch and look at it closely. Smell, touch and turn the cushion over to see the back.
For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery however the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a unpleasant smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it soft, less brittle, and more resistant to smells.
You can also make use of an organic odor eliminator such as baking soda to remove unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, you can wring it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternatively, you can put the solution into the spray bottle and spray it onto your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it over again.
Airing out your leather is another way to remove smells. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to air it out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and also give the couch a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will stop your leather from soaking up unpleasant odors and keep it looking good for a longer time.
The scent of leather may be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. As time passes, leather will absorb odors such as smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, especially if you have children or pets. Leather couches don't hold in these odors the way 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. Try some of the suggestions above or use a specific product like Leather Honey to treat the issue. The best way to treat the issue 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 for when buying a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is unmistakable. This scent may fade with age, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should also feel soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test it, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a major impact on its longevity, but it's not always clear. Find out what kind of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose an item that has longevity for a long time. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. To ensure durability, wood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're shopping on a budget, there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can still fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and flexible option that's often available for sale and can be 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 variety of fabrics that are fade-resistant. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions are prone to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are different from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabrics, which makes them last for many years to come. They also resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract allergens and dust which means they don't require more frequent care and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are a few dangers when buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for before making your final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the materials tag attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of fabric it is. If you are unable to 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.
A key indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and observe the texture, shading, and patterns in depth. faux leather couch will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of coarse leather, it's a dead indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, that's a sign that it's not genuine leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and they are only cut to a certain big. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you are able to try lifting up a corner of the sofa or cushion and inspect the back of the padding. If the back of the cushion is covered by a woven material or polyurethane then this is an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in coating that feels sturdy when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The natural, warm feel and look of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sagging. Each hide is distinctive, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to know whether you're buying genuine leather is to get close and close to it. Examine the surface texture, structure and pattern for an in-depth view of its authenticity. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no visible flaws, it's most likely faux or bond leather.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with attention to last. If there are no seams and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it is likely to be a faux or bonded-leather sofa.
Once you've confirmed that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your room. You can also choose an energizing, relaxing arrangement by putting the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a table between.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate or show scuff marks from direct sunlight. And if you want to protect your investment by prolonging its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection product once or twice a year.