Why We Love Real Leather Couch And You Should Too
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal - take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the backing.
For instance, a sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch has a unpleasant smell, it could be caused by urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to smells.
You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it or replace it with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it again.
Another natural way to remove the smells from your leather is by airing it out. Place the sofa in a sun-lit area to let it air. l shaped leather couch will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and also give the couch a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will stop your leather from absorbing unpleasant odors and keep it looking good for a longer time.
The scent of leather may be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. Over time, leather can absorb odors, such as smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors are hard to remove, especially when your home is occupied by pets or children. Fortunately, leather couches don't hold these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery and are a good option for families with active families.
It is crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy pee. You can utilize the suggestions listed above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the issue. The best option is to avoid the issue, so make sure you train your dog to never pee on your couch.
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
There are a few indicators to look for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The smell fades with age but it should remain evident when the sofa is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test it, gently press your fingers against 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 see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its longevity however, this isn't always evident. To ensure you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used to construct the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to avoid mildew or warping.
If you are on a budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you are awestruck with. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often on 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 that has a classic design and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabric. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct appeal that other types of upholstery cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are dangers when buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for before you make your final decision.
If you're unsure if your new sofa is genuine leather, the first thing you should do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made of. However, you must make use of your senses to assist you in making the right choice if you don't find any information about the materials used to make the sofa.
The sofa's surface should be examined closely, paying attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. A real leather couch has natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a dead indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not genuine leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you are able to raise an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered in polyurethane or a weave, it is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless design for a reason. The warm, natural appearance and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. In addition modern tanning techniques provides it with the added strength to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to determine whether the leather you're buying is genuine is to inspect it up close. Inspect the surface texture, structure and pattern for an in-depth look at its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there aren't any obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bond leather.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. l shape leather sofa will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create the furniture.
Look at the back of your couch to determine if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a piece of cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or leather couch that has been bonded.
If you've concluded that the couch is authentic leather The next step is to pair it up with the rest of your furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood and accent it with pillows that echo the colors of your living space. You can also go for a more dynamic, relaxed layout by placing the couch between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent once or twice per year.