How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You must get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the back.
For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the armrests and seats) in genuine leather, whereas non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should be a natural, rich and luxurious. The faux leather on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a bad smell, it may be caused by stains or pet urine. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it soft, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a great natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather couch. If the cloth begins to gather dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping again.
Airing out your leather is another method to eliminate odors. If you are able, place the couch outside in a sun-lit area to air it out. leather chaise lounge will help eliminate unwanted odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresh for longer by stopping it from absorption of odors.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, leather can absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors are difficult to eliminate particularly if you have children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
It's important to take action immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy pee. You can utilize the suggestions listed above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the issue. The best solution is to prevent the problem and ensure that you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
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If you are looking for a new leather sofa there are a few things to be aware of. The most effective way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. This aroma can dull with age, but it is impossible to miss it when the sofa is new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to the touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips onto the surface of the couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its durability however, this isn't always evident. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. To ensure durability, wood frames should be dried kiln to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you are on a budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you love. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently offered for sale and is easily personalized to fit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It has a classic design and is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct appeal that other kinds of furniture cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear far better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to be. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are a few dangers when purchasing a leather couch - and it pays to be aware of what to look for before you make your final decision.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is genuine leather the first thing to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to discover the exact type of fabric or leather it is made of. If you cannot discover any information about the couch's material composition then you can utilize your senses to make an informed decision.
The surface of the sofa must be carefully examined and pay attention to the texture, shading and patterns. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of coarse leather, it's a sure giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If there is stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn't genuine leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and can only be cut as big. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the padding. If the back of the cushion is covered in an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a rough and coarse coating that feels solid when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The soft, natural look and feel can elevate any living room. Plus the modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is distinctive with its own unique marks, grain and blemishes.
While labels and prices are excellent indicators, the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to go close and intimate with it. Inspect the surface texture, structure and pattern for an even more precise view of its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there aren't obvious flaws, it's probably fake or the leather is bonded.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a further 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 in making the furniture.
Take a look at the back of your couch to determine whether there are any vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that's been constructed with care to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather sofa.
If you've concluded that a couch is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it with the rest of your living room furniture. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your space. You can also choose an energizing, relaxing layout by placing the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable between.
Remember to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't fade or develop scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.