How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a genuine leather sofa . You should be able to walk up to the couch and examine it with care. Smell, touch and flip the cushion to examine the back.
For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather while 'non contact' areas were a mix of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa has a bad smell, it could be caused by stains or pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will bring back the leather's moisture which makes it softer, less fragile, and more resistant against smells.
You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to remove unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ 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 a new one. You can also put the solution into the spray bottle and spray it on your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping again.
Another natural way to remove the smells of your leather is by airing it out. If you are able, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will eliminate any unwanted odors, and provide it with an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors You can buy an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher longer by keeping it from taking in the smells.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to maintain. In time, it may absorb odors from cooking, smoking, and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate especially if you have pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't hold the odors as fabric upholstery make them a great option for families with active families.
It's important to take action immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy urine. Try some of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product like Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best way to treat the issue is to avoid the issue and ensure that you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel
When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa there are a few things you should look out for. But the most effective way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. This aroma can dull with age, but there should be no mistaking it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the couch's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather.
Another dead giveaway is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't a continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a significant effect on its lifespan, but it's not always obvious. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used in the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. To ensure durability, wood frames should be dried kiln to avoid mildew or warping.
If you are on a budget but still want an authentic leather sofa you will love. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often on 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 that is a classic style and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabric. The sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions are prone to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of furniture can't match. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear far more than fabric, making them last for many years to come. They also tend to 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 any different. As with any other purchase, it's important to be aware of dangers before making a final decision.
If you're unsure if the sofa you bought is genuine leather, the first thing you should look over the material tag on the frame to find out the exact type of leather or fabric it's made from. But, you should utilize your own senses to help make the right choice if you don't discover any information regarding the material composition of the sofa.
A key indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and observe the texture, shading, and patterns in greater detail. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in its structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear indication of 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 pattern on the back, it is not real leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and they are only cut to a certain big. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch through the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you can, lift up a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is coated with an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a rough and coarse surface that feels solid when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and with good reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. Modern tanning methods give it extra durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is distinct with its own unique marks, grain and blemishes.
The best way to know whether the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to look at it up close. To better understand authenticity, examine the texture of the surface, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it is likely to be fake or bonding.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a standard feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make furniture.
Look at the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been made with care to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a piece of fabric, it's likely a fake or bonded leather couch.
After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other living room furniture. For a crisp, coordinated look, match your sofa to other wooden furniture and line it up with pillows that match the colors of your room. You can also go for a more dynamic, relaxed arrangement by putting the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a table between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure that it doesn't fade or develop scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent every other year.