How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and descriptions of the product, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a real leather sofa. It is important to get close to the couch and inspect it carefully. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion to see the back.
For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be fragrant and natural. Faux leather on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not pleased with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather which makes it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor remover that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, wring it out or swap for an alternative. Alternatively, you can put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Another method to eliminate the smells from your leather is to air it out. If possible, set the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air dry. This will remove any unwanted smells and give the sofa an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant smells altogether You can buy an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing odors and keep it smelling nice for longer.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing, it can be difficult to keep clean. As time passes, it will absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to get rid of, especially if you have children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches aren't able to trap these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery can make them a great option for families with active families.
If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy It's crucial to take action immediately. You can try some of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best way to treat the issue is to stop the problem from occurring therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few indicators to look out for when buying a leather sofa, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is unmistakable. The scent can fade with age, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingers against the surface of a couch and feel for bumps. If leather sofa with chaise can't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its lifespan but it's not always obvious. To ensure you're buying a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used in the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To ensure durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're shopping for a price that isn't too expensive there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless be captivated by. 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 customized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It is a classic design and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are resistant to fade. However, this sofa requires assembly at home, and its back cushions are prone to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of furniture can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and stand up to wear and tear better than fabric. They will last for many years. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are issues to be aware of when purchasing a leather couch - and it pays to know what to look out for before making your final choice.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing you need to look over the material tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made from. If you can't find any information regarding the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make an informed decision.
A good way to tell is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading and patterns in depth. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is uniform and smooth, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a dead indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Another test to take is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not real leather. This is because hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of a couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you can raise one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered by an unwoven material or polyurethane then this is a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and rough when touched.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and with good reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. In addition modern tanning techniques gives it the added durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Each hide is distinctive and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes.
The best way to tell if the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to look at it closely. Check the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an in-depth look at its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it's likely to be fake or bound.
Another dead giveaway is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Check the back of your sofa to see whether there are any vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with attention to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the couch's back appears like a single piece of cloth, it's 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 the furniture in your living space. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the color of your living space. l shaped leather couch can also go for a more dynamic, relaxed layout by placing the couch between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between.
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 protection agent once or twice a year.