How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if you are buying genuine leather couches due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. You should be able to walk up to the couch and examine it closely. Smell, touch and flip the cushion to check out the backing.
For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had contact areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were a mixture of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be a natural, rich and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad, it could be due to stains or urine from your pet. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it more soft, less brittle, and more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor eliminator 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 leather sofa. If the cloth begins to accumulate dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it again.
Airing out your leather is another natural way to eliminate the smell. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sunny area to let it air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the couch a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant smells altogether, you can purchase an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher longer by keeping it from taking in the smells.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it can be difficult to keep clean. As time passes, it will absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body smell. These odors are hard to eliminate, particularly if your home has children or pets. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabrics can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
It is crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy poop. You can try some of the suggestions above or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best option however, so make sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Feel
There are some clues to look out for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable, distinct natural scent. This aroma can dull as you age however it is impossible to miss it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the sofa's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
Another dead giveaway is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a sofa's frame can have a significant effect on its longevity but it's not always obvious. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used to construct the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily customized to match your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic look and is available in a wide range of fabrics that are fade-resistant. This sofa is somewhat difficult to put together at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear far better than fabric, making them last for many years to be. They also resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens, so they don't need as much regular care and cleaning. Leather couches aren't any different. As with any other purchase, it is essential to be aware of the dangers before making a final choice.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is genuine leather the first thing you need to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of fabric or leather it's made from. But, you should utilize your own senses to make an informed decision if you are unable to discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa.
The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and observe the texture, shading and patterns in detail. Real leather couches are likely to 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 in place of the coarse leather, it's a clear indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Another good test is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it is not real leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can be cut only to a certain extent. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you are able to try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the padding. If the back of the cushion is covered with polyurethane or a weave, it is an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough surface that feels solid when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless design for reasons. The warm, natural look and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it added durability, so that it resists cracking or sagging. Because each hide has its own unique marks, grain, and blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to tell if the leather you are buying is genuine is to look at it in person. For a better understanding of the authenticity, look at the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure is uniform and there aren't visible flaws, it's most likely faux or the leather is bonded.
Another obvious sign is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. leather sofa with chaise is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been carefully constructed to last. If there are no seams, and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a faux or bonded leather couch.
After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other furniture for your living space. For a sleek, unified look, match your sofa to other wooden furniture and line it up with pillows that reflect the color scheme of your room. Or go for a more fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch across from other pieces with the addition of a coffee table.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area so that it doesn't fade or develop scratches from direct sunlight. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.