How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You should be able to walk up to the couch and examine it carefully. Feel, smell, and flip the cushion to check out the backing.
For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The 'non contact' areas were made up of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather however is often chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a bad smell, it may be due to pet urine or stains. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to odors.
You can also use a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to get rid of 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 wring it out or switch to an alternative. Alternatively, you can put the solution in spray bottles and spray it onto your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it again.
Airing your leather out is another way to remove the smell. Place the sofa in a sunny area to air out. This will help remove unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will stop your leather from absorbing odors and keep it smelling good for a longer time.
The smell of leather can be appealing, but it can be difficult to maintain. As time passes, it will absorb odors from smoking, cooking, or even body smell. These odors can be difficult to get rid of especially if you have pets or children. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabric upholstery can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy pee. You can try some of the suggestions above or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best solution is to prevent the problem, so make sure you train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Feel
When shopping for a new leather sofa there are a few things you should be looking for. However, the best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The smell can fade as time passes however, it should be evident when the sofa is fresh.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to touch. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the sofa's surface and check for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa, it's another sign of a fake. This means the leather isn't a continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a major impact on its longevity, but it's not always obvious. To make sure you're getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less robust. To ensure durability, a frame made of hardwood must also be dried to avoid 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 often offered for sale and is easily customized to fit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is a classic style and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabric. This sofa is quite difficult to set up at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They will last for a long time. They also tend to resist staining and spills, and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens and therefore don't require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are issues to be aware of when buying a leather sofa - and it's important to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final choice.
If you are not sure whether your new couch is made of fabric or leather then you must first verify the tag that identifies the material attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of material it is. If you are unable to find any information regarding the couch's material composition, you can use your senses to make an informed decision.
The sofa's surface is worth a close examination with a keen eye on the texture, shading and patterns. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like back in place of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on its back, it's not genuine leather. This is because animal hides are restricted in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch through the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you are able to try lifting up a corner of the sofa or cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is coated with a woven fabric or is covered with polyurethane, it is another sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a rough and coarse surface that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic and for good reason. The warm, natural appearance and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sagging. Each hide is distinct, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.
While labels and prices are excellent indicators but the best way to determine whether you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and personal with it. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure appears to be uniform and there aren't noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bond leather.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a polyurethane backing on the sofa's back. This is a standard feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will look more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been constructed with care to last. If there are no seams and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.
If you've decided that the couch is authentic leather, the next step is to pair it with the rest of the furniture in your living space. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the color of your living space. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing layout by placing the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't fade or develop scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If distressed leather sofa looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment use a leather protection agent once or twice per year.