How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if you are buying genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You must get up close and personal - smell, feel and then turn over a couch to look at the backing.
For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a unpleasant smell, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture levels, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant against odors.
You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, wring it out or swap for an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it over again.
Airing your leather out is another method to get rid of the smell. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny spot to air it out. This will eliminate any unpleasant odors, and give the sofa a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will stop your leather from taking in smells and will keep it smelling good for a longer time.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, it can absorb odors from cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate, especially when you have pets or children. Fortunately, real leather couches don't trap the odors as fabric upholstery make them a great choice for families with active families.
If your couch smells like a pee-soaked puppy It's crucial to address the issue immediately. You can try a few of the suggestions above or use a specific product like Leather Honey to treat the problem. Prevention is the best way to go, though, so be sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us with any questions.
There are some clues 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 an unmistakable unique, natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a an unpleasant plastic feel. To test it, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of the sofa, it's another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan but this isn't always evident. To make sure you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used in the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less robust. For added durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're on a tight budget, there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you could still be captivated by. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily customized to match 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 fade-resistant. However, this sofa requires assembly at home and its back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear much better than fabrics, which makes them last for years to come. simply click the next document are resistant to staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens which means they don't require the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. Like every other purchase, it is essential to be aware of dangers before making a final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing you should do is look at the materials tag on the frame to discover the exact type of leather or fabric it is made of. If you cannot discover any information about the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make the decision.
The sofa's surface is worth a close examination and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it is not real leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and they can only be cut as big. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew throughout the back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered with a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a rough and coarse surface that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and for good reason. The warm, natural appearance and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Plus, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Since each hide comes with its own unique markings and grain, as well as blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to determine if the leather you are buying is authentic is to inspect it in person. Check the texture, structure and pattern for an even more precise glimpse of its genuine. If the structure is uniform and there aren't any noticeable blemishes, it's likely faux or the leather is bonded.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a standard feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with care to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of fabric, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather couch.
Once you've confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the color of your space. You can also go for more relaxed, energetic arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces furniture with a coffeetable between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't fade or leave scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by prolonging its lifespan, consider applying a leather protector every two or three times a year.