How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It can be difficult to tell if you are purchasing a genuine leather couch due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. You must get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the fabric.

For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should smell rich and natural. False leather, however, often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to urine from your pet. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it more soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.

You can also use an organic odor remover such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to gather dirt, you can wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. Alternately, you can pour the solution in the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it again.

Another natural way to remove odors from your leather is by airing it out. If possible, set the couch outside in a sunny area to let it air dry. This will help eliminate unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.

If you want to avoid unpleasant smells altogether then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will stop your leather from taking in unpleasant odors and keep it looking good for longer.

Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it can be difficult to maintain. As time passes, it will absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to get rid of especially when you have children or pets. Fortunately, real leather couches don't trap these odors like fabrics can make them a great option for families with active families.

It is crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy urine. You can use the tips mentioned above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the issue. The best option is to prevent the problem, so make sure you train your dog to not pee on your couch.

2. Feel

There are a few clues to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. This scent may fade with age however it is impossible to miss it when the couch is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa is supposed to be warm and soft to the touch. Bonded and faux leathers however, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the sofa'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 notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't a continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.

The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant impact on its lifespan however, this isn't always evident. Find out what kind of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has longevity for a long time. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as robust. For added durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln dried to prevent warping and mildew.

If you're on a tight budget it is possible to find an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently offered for sale and is easily customized to fit your home.

Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Luxurious Power Reclining Leather Sofa Set with USB Sofa It is classic in design and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Genuine leather couches are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to be. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are a few dangers when buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for prior to making your final choice.

If you're not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric, you should first check the tag of materials that is that is attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of material it is. If you cannot discover any information about the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make an informed decision.

The surface of the sofa should be examined closely and pay attention to the texture, shading and patterns. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, www.Sofasandcouches.com or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear indication of fake or synthetic leather.

Another good test is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If there is stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, that's an indication that it's not true leather. This is due to the fact that hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux l shape leather sofa.

If you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered by polyurethane or a weave, then it's an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels sturdy when you contact it.

4. Patterns

A leather couch is a timeless classic for a reason. The natural, warm design and feel can add a touch of class to any living room. Plus modern tanning techniques provides it with the added strength to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is distinctive with its own unique marks, grain and blemishes.

While labels and prices are excellent indicators but the best way to determine whether you're buying authentic leather is to get close and intimate with it. To get a better idea of the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is uniform and there aren't visible flaws, it's most likely faux or bond leather.

Another obvious sign is a polyurethane backing on the back of the sofa. This is a common feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make furniture.

Take a look at the back of your couch to determine if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been made with attention to last. If there are no seams, and the rear looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.

After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that match the colors of your living space. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.

Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or developing scuffs. And if you want to protect your investment by prolonging its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection agent every once or twice per year.