A Real Leather Couch Success Story You'll Never Imagine
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a real leather sofa. It is important to get close to the couch and examine it carefully. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion over to see the back.
For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE tested had "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. The faux leather, on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad, it could be due to stains or urine from your pet. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you're not pleased with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it more soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.
You can also use a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can wring it out or swap for an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping again.
Another natural way to remove the smells of your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a bright area to air out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and also give the couch a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher longer by stopping it from absorbing the smells.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to maintain. As time passes, it will absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to get rid of, especially in homes with children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches aren't able to trap these odors like fabric upholstery can, making them an ideal option for families with active families.
If your sofa smells like an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it's important to get the problem addressed immediately. Try some of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best way to go but be sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
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When shopping for a new leather sofa, there are some things to be looking for. But the best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The smell fades as time passes, but it should be clear when the couch is new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to the touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded however are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this test, gently press your fingers on the surface of the couch and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a significant effect on its durability, but this isn't always evident. Find out what kind of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you choose a sofa with an extended lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. For added durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget, there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can still be captivated by. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often on sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa is modular and a bit difficult to assemble at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They will last for many years. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are issues to be aware of when buying a leather sofa - and it pays to be aware of what to look for before making your final choice.
If you're unsure whether your new couch is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the materials tag that is attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of material it is. If you can't find any information regarding the sofa's material composition, you can use your senses to make the decision.
A key indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading and patterns in detail. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be consistent. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back instead of coarse suede, this is a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on its back, it's not genuine leather. The reason is that animal hides are limited in their size, and are only cut to a certain large. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you can raise one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered by a woven material or polyurethane then it's a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and rough when it is touched.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it additional durability, meaning that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is unique, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to know whether the leather you're purchasing is genuine is to examine it closely. Inspect the texture, structure and pattern to get an even more precise view of its authenticity. If soft leather couch of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bound.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and is backed by materials that closely like the fabric used in making furniture.
Check the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been constructed with care to last. If there are no seams, and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded leather couch.
After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other furniture for your living space. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your space. You can also choose a more dynamic, relaxed layout by placing the couch between two pieces furniture, with a coffee table between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to protect your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protection product once or twice a year.