How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. It is important to get close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the fabric.
For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE test had "contact" areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to urine from your pet. In most cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather and make it more supple and less brittle, as well as more resistant against smells.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors 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 pick up dirt, you can wring it out or replace with another. You can also put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it on your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it over again.
Another method to eliminate the smells from your leather is to air it out. If possible, set the couch outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the sofa a fresh, natural scent.
If you want to avoid unpleasant odors then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher for longer, preventing it from absorbing smells.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to remove, especially when your home is occupied by children or pets. Real leather couches do not trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
If your couch smells akin to the scent of a puppy's pee It's crucial to address the issue immediately. You can utilize the suggestions mentioned above or a product such as Leather Honey to resolve the problem. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
There are a few indicators to look for when buying a leather sofa, however the most reliable method to determine whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. This scent may fade with age but there should be no mistaking it when the couch is brand 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 an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the couch's surface and look for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely faux-leather or bonded.
If second hand leather sofas notice vertical seams stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its longevity 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 in the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive option, while engineered or particle board frames are less sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you are on a budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible option that's often offered for sale and can be customized to suit 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 broad range of fabrics that are resistant to fade. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches offer a unique appeal that other types of upholstery can't compete with. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and can withstand wear and tear much more than fabric, making them last for many years to come. They also are resistant to staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens, so they don't need as much regular maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are a few pitfalls when it comes to purchasing a leather couch - and it is important to know what to look out for before you make your final decision.
If you're not sure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing you should do is look at the materials tag on the frame to find out the exact type of leather or fabric it's made of. If you are unable to find any information about the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can utilize your senses to make an informed decision.
second hand leather sofas must be carefully examined with a keen eye on the patterns, shading and texture. A genuine leather couch has natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in terms of structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing instead of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on its back, it isn't real leather. This is due to the fact that hides from animals are limited in size and can be cut only to a certain degree. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of the couch to ensure it's genuinely leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you can lift a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered in a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and for good reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Additionally, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Since each hide comes with distinct patterns and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is unique.
While prices and labels are great pointers but the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to get close and intimate with it. For a better understanding of the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure appears to be uniform and there aren't any obvious flaws, it's probably fake or the leather is bonded.
Another obvious sign is a backing made of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create furniture.
Take a look at the back of your couch to see if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that's been constructed with care to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the couch's back appears like a continuous piece of cloth, it's most likely a fake or bonded leather couch.
Once you've determined that the couch is authentic leather, the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your living room furniture. For a sleek, unified look, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood and line it with pillows that reflect the colors of your room. You can also opt for a more comfortable, lively layout by putting your couch against other furniture pieces and placing a coffee table in between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to avoid it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.