How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It is often difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather couches due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and look at it with care. Smell, touch and turn the cushion to see the back.

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

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa smells unpleasant, it could be due to pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to smells.

Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor remover that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, wring it out or replace with another. Alternatively, you can put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it on your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it again.

Another natural way to remove the smells of your leather is to air it out. If you are able, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will remove any unwanted odors, and give the couch a natural, fresh scent.

If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely You can buy an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing smells and will keep it smelling good for a longer time.

While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, it can absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially if your home has children or pets. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.

If your couch smells akin to the scent of a puppy's pee, it's important to get the problem addressed immediately. Try some of the suggestions above or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Feel

There are a few clues to look out for when buying a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to determine if it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. This scent may fade as you age however there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the sofa is new.

A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux leather couch and bonded tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test this, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely to be faux-leather or bonded.

If you see vertical seams stitched across the back of the sofa, it's another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.

The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a significant impact on its life span, but it's not always clear. Ask what type of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select a sofa with a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. For extra durability, a frame made of hardwood must also be dried to avoid mildew and warping.

If you're shopping on a tight budget there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens pure leather sofa Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.

Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It has a classic design and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this modular sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches are an exception to other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and endure wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They last for many years. They also tend to resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract allergens and dust which means they don't require more frequent care and cleaning. Leather couches aren't any different. As with any other purchase, it is important to be aware of pitfalls before making a final choice.

If you're unsure whether your new couch is genuine leather the first thing you should look over the material tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made from. However, you must utilize your own senses to assist you in making the right choice if you don't find any information about the materials used to make the sofa.

The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading, and patterns in detail. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing in place of coarse suede, this is an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Another good test is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If it has an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it's not true leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and they can only be cut as big. 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 bonded or faux reupholster leather couch.

If you are able to raise one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is coated with a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels sturdy when you touch it.

4. Patterns

A leather couch is a timeless classic for reasons. The natural, warm feel and look of the material can elevate any living space. Additionally modern tanning techniques provides it with the added strength to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is distinctive with its own unique markings, grain and blemishes.

While labels and prices are excellent indicators however, the best way to determine whether you're buying genuine leather is to get close and close to it. Examine the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an even more precise look at its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there aren't noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or the leather is bonded.

Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely resemble the fabric used to create furniture.

Finally, check the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather couch.

If you've decided that a couch is genuine leather, the next step is to match it 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. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing arrangement by putting the couch between two seater leather sofa pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between.

Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area so that it doesn't deteriorate or show scratches due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather sofa restoration protector agent at least once or twice a year.