How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to tell if you are purchasing genuine leather couches due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. real leather couch must get up close and personal to smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the back.
For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather while 'non contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell natural, fresh and luxurious. Faux leather is, however is often chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a unpleasant smell, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture and make it more supple and less brittle, as well as more resistant to odors.
You can also make use of an organic odor remover such as baking soda to remove unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can wring it out or swap for an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it again.
Another way to get rid of the smells of your leather is by airing it out. Place the sofa in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresh for longer by keeping it from absorbing odors.
The scent of leather can be appealing, but it is difficult to keep. Over time, it can absorb smells from smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially if your home has children or pets. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
If your couch smells like a pee-soaked puppy It is important to take action immediately. You can try a few of the tips above, or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best option is to avoid the issue and ensure that you train your dog to never pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are some clues to look out for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. The smell can fade as time passes but it should remain clear when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Bonded and faux leathers on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test it, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and feel for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.
Another indicator is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of the frame on a leather couch can have a significant impact on its life span however it's not always clear. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive option, while engineered or particle board frames aren't as robust. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to avoid mildew or warping.
If you are on a budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you love. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often on sale and can be easily personalized 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 broad range of fabrics that are fade-resistant. The sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They can last for a long time. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require as much regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't any different. Like every other purchase, it is important to be aware of the risks before making a final decision.
If you're not sure if your new couch is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the materials tag attached to the frame. This will reveal the exact type of material it is. If you are unable to find any information regarding the couch's materials, you can utilize your senses to make a decision.
The surface of the sofa is worth a close examination, paying attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. A genuine leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and will not be perfectly uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Another good test is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not genuine leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and they are only cut to a certain big. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.
If you are able raise one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered in an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a coarse and rough coating that feels sturdy when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic with reasons. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it additional durability, meaning it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Since each hide comes with distinctive patterns and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is unique.
The best way to tell if the leather you are buying is genuine is to examine it up close. Examine the texture, structure, and pattern for an even more precise look at its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it is likely to be fake or bonding.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and is backed by materials that closely like the fabric used to make the furniture.
Check the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather has been made with attention to last. If there are no seams and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded-leather couch.
Once you've confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with other furniture in your living room. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and add pillows that complement the colors of your room. Or go for a more fluid, acoustic layout by placing your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and an occasional table.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.