How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to tell if you are buying a genuine leather couch because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You should be able to walk up to the couch and inspect it with care. Touch, smell and turn the cushion over to check out the backing.
For instance, one 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 of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should be a natural, rich and luxurious. Faux leather is, however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a unpleasant smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In most cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you're not pleased with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it softer, less brittle, and more resistant to smells.
You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to pick up dirt, you can wring it out or replace with an alternative. Alternately, you can pour the solution into spray bottles and spray it onto your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it again.
Another way to get rid of the smells from your leather is by airing it out. If you are able, place the couch outside in a sunny spot to let it air out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the sofa a natural, fresh scent.
If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresh for longer by preventing it from absorbing odors.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, leather may absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be hard to get rid of, especially if you have children or pets. leather couch and loveseat set couches don't absorb odors like fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy pee. You can use the tips listed above or a product such as Leather Honey to fix the problem. Prevention is the best option but be sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Feel
There are a few indicators to look out for when shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to determine if it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. The scent can fade with age, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this test, gently press your fingers to the sofa's surface and look for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
Another dead giveaway is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan however, it's not always obvious. To ensure you're getting a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. For added durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're shopping on a budget there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless be captivated by. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often offered for sale and is easily personalized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a wide range of fabrics that are fade-resistant. This modular sofa is a bit difficult to assemble at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't match. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabrics, which makes them last for years to come. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract allergens and dust which means they don't require as much regular care and cleaning. However, just like anything else in life, there are some pitfalls when it comes to purchasing a leather couch - and it is important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the tag that identifies the material on the frame. This will reveal the exact type of material it is. If you can't find any information about the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to make a decision.
The surface of the sofa should be examined closely with a keen eye on the pattern, texture, and shading. A real leather couch has natural imperfections and may not be uniform in terms of structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a clear giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.
Another test to take is to check the back of the cushion casing. If you see an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, that's an indication that it's not authentic leather. The reason for this is because animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut as big. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather couch leather.
Finally, if you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered by polyurethane or a weave, then this is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and coarse when touched.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and with good reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it extra durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Each hide is distinctive, with its own marks, grain and blemishes.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to tell whether you're buying authentic leather sofas for sale near Me is to get up close and close to it. To better understand the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it's likely to be faux or bound.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and is backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make furniture.
Take a look at the back of your sofa to see if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been made with attention to last. If there aren't any seams, and the rear appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.
Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other living room furniture. To create a clean, coordinated style, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood and accent it with pillows that echo the colors in your room. You can also opt for more relaxed, energetic arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces of furniture with a table between.
Remember to keep your leather sofas for sale sofa in a bright area so that it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks due to direct sunlight. And if you want to protect your investment by extending its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection product every once or twice per year.