How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It is often difficult to determine if are buying genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You must get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the backing.

For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The non-contact areas were made of cotton and coated polyester.

1. Smell

A real leather couch should smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather is, however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a unpleasant smell, it could be caused by stains or pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will bring back the leather's moisture, making it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to smells.

You can also use an organic odor remover like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, wring it out or replace with an alternative. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again.

Airing your leather out is another natural way to remove the smell. If possible, set the couch outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the couch a fresh, natural scent.

If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from soaking up smells and will keep it smelling good for longer.

The scent of leather may be appealing, but it is difficult to keep. In time, it may absorb odors from smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to remove, especially if your home has pets or children. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.

It's important to take action immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy poop. You can use the tips given above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the problem. Prevention is the best option but be sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Contact us if you have any questions.

When shopping for a new leather couch and loveseat set sofa There are some things to be looking for. However, the most effective way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. This scent may fade as you age, but there should be no mistaking it when a sofa is new.

A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to touch. Bonded and faux leathers however are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test it, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely faux-leather or bonded.

Another indicator is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.

The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a significant impact on its life span, but it's not always obvious. To ensure you're getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used in the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you're shopping for a price that isn't too expensive There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless fall in love with. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.

Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is classic in design and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches offer a unique appeal that other kinds of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and stand up to wear and tear better than fabrics. They will last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are some pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for prior to making your final choice.

If you are not sure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the tag of materials that is that is attached to the frame. This will inform you the exact type of material it is. However, you must utilize your own senses to make a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa.

The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and observe the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. A real leather couch (see) has natural imperfections and may not be uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear indication of fake or synthetic leather.

Another test to take is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is 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 so big. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.

If you can, lift up an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is coated with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and coarse when touched.

4. Patterns

A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and for good reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. Additionally, a modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique with its own unique markings, grain and blemishes.

While labels and prices are great pointers, the best way to determine if you're buying authentic leather is to go up close and close to it. For a better understanding of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.

Another dead giveaway is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.

Also, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice 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 sofa.

If you've decided that a couch is genuine leather the next step is to match it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the color of your space. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic arrangement by placing your sofa across from other pieces with an occasional table.

Remember 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. And if you want to protect your investment by extending its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection agent every two or three times a year.