How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You should be able to walk up to the couch and examine it with care. Touch, smell and turn the cushion to check out the backing.
For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made up of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural and rich scent. False leather, however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to stains or urine from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not pleased with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a great natural odor remover that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to absorb dirt, you can wring it out or switch to a new one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it off again.
Airing your leather out is another natural way to remove smells. Set the couch in a bright area to let it air. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher longer by stopping it from absorbing odors.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to maintain. Over time, it can absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, and even body odor. These odors are difficult to remove, especially when your home is occupied by pets or children. Genuine leather couches do not trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
If your couch smells akin to the scent of a puppy's pee It is important to take action immediately. You can try some of the suggestions above or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the issue. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
There are a few clues to look out for when shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. This scent may fade as you age however there should be no mistaking it when a sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa is supposed to be warm and soft to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a a plasticky feel. To test this try pressing your fingertips onto the surface of the couch and feel for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a significant impact on its longevity, but it's often not obvious. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. To improve durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're on a budget but still want an authentic leather sofa you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and versatile option that is often offered 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 has a classic style and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are fade-resistant. The sofa is modular and quite difficult to set up at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct appeal that other types of furniture cannot compete with. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear much better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to come. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches are no different. As with any other purchase, it's important to be aware of the dangers before making a final decision.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa 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 is made of. However, you should also use your own senses to make a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The sofa's surface must be carefully examined and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, or shading will not be uniform. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it has a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, this is a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Examine leather couch and loveseat Sofas And Couches of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it isn't real leather. The reason is because 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 always stitch and sew across the entire back of a couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
Finally, if you can attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered with a woven material or polyurethane then it's an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a rough and coarse coating that feels sturdy when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless design for the reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the material can enhance any living space. Plus the modern tanning process adds a bit of durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes.
The best way to tell if the leather you are buying is authentic is to inspect it up close. Examine the texture of the surface, its structure, and pattern for an even more precise look at its authenticity. If the structure appears to be uniform and there aren't any obvious flaws, it's probably fake or bond leather.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Look at the back of your couch to determine whether there are vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that's been carefully constructed to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a piece of cloth, it's likely to be a low-quality 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 add pillows that complement the colors of your living space. You can also opt for a more comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.
Remember to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit 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 protector every two or three times a year.