How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying a real leather sofa. You must get up close and personal - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to check the fabric.
For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE test had "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be due to pet urine or stains. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant against smells.
Baking soda is an excellent 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 wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a new one. Alternately, you can pour the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it over again.
Airing out your leather is another natural way to remove smells. Set the couch in a bright area to air out. This will help eliminate unpleasant odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher longer by stopping it from absorbing smells.
The scent of leather can be appealing, but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather can absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors are difficult to eliminate, particularly if your home has pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't trap the odors as fabric upholstery, making them an ideal option for families with active families.
It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy urine. You can use the tips given above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the problem. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa there are a few things to be looking for. But the most effective way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. This scent may fade as you age but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the touch and warm to the. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test, gently press your fingers to the surface of a couch and feel for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched across the back of sofas, this is another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan but this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select an item that has longevity for a long time. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. For extra durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're shopping on a budget there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually available for sale and can be adapted to your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is a classic style and is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly robust and withstand wear and tear much better than fabric, making 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, so they don't need the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. However, as with anything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa - and it is important to be aware of what to look for before making your final decision.
If you're unsure whether your new couch is genuine leather the first thing you need to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to find out what kind of fabric or leather it is made of. If you cannot find any information regarding the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to help you make an informed decision.
The sofa's surface should be examined closely, paying attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. A real leather couch will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in terms of structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, this is a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it is not real 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 it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered in an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a rough and coarse coating that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with reasons. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so that it resists cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique, with its own marks, grain and blemishes.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators, the best way to tell whether you're buying genuine leather is to get close and close to it. Check the surface texture, structure and pattern for an in-depth view of its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonded.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a continuous piece of cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
If you've concluded that a couch is genuine leather the next step is to match it with the rest of the furniture in your living space. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that complement the colors of your living space. Or, you can opt for a comfortable, lively arrangement by placing your sofa in a row with other furniture pieces, and the addition of a coffee table.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to protect your investment by extending its lifespan, consider applying a leather protector every once or twice per year.