It's True That The Most Common Real Leather Couch Debate Doesn't Have To Be As Black And White As You Might Think

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 know whether you're buying a genuine leather sofa. You must get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the backing.

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

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. False leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa smells unpleasant, it could be due to stains or urine from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather's moisture levels which makes it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to odors.

Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor eliminator that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to gather dirt, you can wring it or replace it with a new one. Alternatively, you can put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it again.


Airing out your leather is another method to remove smells. Set the couch in a sun-lit area to air out. This will eliminate any unwanted odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.

If you want to avoid unpleasant smells altogether then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will stop your leather from soaking up smells and will keep it smelling good for longer.

While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, particularly when your home is occupied by pets or children. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabrics can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.

It's crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy urine. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the problem. Prevention is the best solution but be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!

2. Feel

When shopping for a new leather sofa There are a few things you should look out for. But the best way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The scent can fade with age however, it should be evident when the sofa is fresh.

A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a plasticky feel. To test, gently press your fingers to the surface of a couch and check for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be faux or bonded leather.

If you see vertical seams that are 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 typical of genuine leather couches.

The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a significant effect on its longevity but it's not always obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose a sofa with a long lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you're shopping on a budget, there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can still fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually offered for sale and can be adapted to your home.

The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a broad selection of fabrics that are fade-resistant. This modular sofa is a bit difficult to assemble at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Genuine leather couches are different from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear more than fabric, making them last for years to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are a few dangers when purchasing a leather couch - and it is important to know what to look out for prior to making your final choice.

If you're unsure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the tag of materials that is attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of fabric it is. However, you must use your own senses to assist you in making the right choice if you don't find any information about the composition of the material used in the sofa.

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 uniform. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like back instead of coarse suede, it's a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Another test to take is to check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it isn't genuine leather. small leather sofa is because animal hides are limited in size and can be cut only to a certain degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.

Finally, if you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered by an unwoven material or polyurethane it is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and coarse when the touch is made.

4. Patterns

A leather sofa is a timeless classic with reasons. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it additional durability, meaning it is resistant to cracking or sagging. Each hide is distinct with its own unique imperfections, markings, and grain.

While prices and labels are excellent indicators however, the best way to tell whether you're buying authentic leather is to go close and intimate with it. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern for an even more precise look at its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there are no visible flaws, it's most likely fake or the leather is bonded.

A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to create the furniture.

Check the back of your couch to see if there are any vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. If there are no seams, and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.

If you've concluded that a sofa is genuine leather the next step is to match it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, pair your sofa to other furniture made of wood and line it up with pillows that match the colors of your living space. You can also opt for more relaxed, energetic layout by putting the sofa in between two pieces of furniture with a table between.

Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to avoid it from fading or forming scuffs. And if you want to safeguard your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent every two or three times a year.

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Pub: 11 Jun 2024 22:31 UTC
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