How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You must get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the fabric.
For instance, a sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather however typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch has a unpleasant smell, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather's moisture and make it more supple and less brittle, as well as more resistant to smells.
You can also make use of an organic odor remover like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Another natural way to remove the smells from your leather is to air it out. Place the sofa in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will help remove unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from soaking up smells and will keep it smelling good for longer.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to keep clean. In time, it may absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body odor. These odors can be hard to eliminate especially if you have pets or children. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabrics 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 like Leather Honey to address the issue. The best solution is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are some clues to look for when shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine if it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. The smell fades with age, but it should be evident when the couch is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the touch and warm to the. Leathers that are faux or bonded however are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and feel for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is probably bonded or faux leather.
Another indicator is if you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a major effect on its life span however it's not always clear. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose an item that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. To ensure durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're on a tight budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you love. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily customized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is a classic style and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabrics. This sofa is somewhat difficult to put together at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches offer a unique appeal that other types of upholstery cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and resist wear and tear far better than fabrics, which makes them last for years to come. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens, so they don't need the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't any different. Like any other purchase, it's crucial to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final decision.
If you are not sure whether your new couch is made of leather or fabric then you must first verify the tag that identifies the material attached to the frame. This will tell you exactly what kind of fabric it is. If you cannot find any information about the couch's materials or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make the decision.
The sofa's surface is worth a close examination, paying attention to the texture, shading and patterns. A real leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and won't be completely uniform in terms of structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back in place of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If you see a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, that's an indication that it's not true leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut as big. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather.
If you can, lift up one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered in a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane, this is another indicator that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic with reasons. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Plus the modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to withstand cracks and sagging. Since each hide comes with distinctive marks, grain, and blemishes, every leather couch is unique.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators, the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to get up close and personal with it. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get a more detailed look at its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it is likely to be faux or bonded.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. If there are no seams and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded-leather couch.
Once you've confirmed that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to pair it with your other furniture for your living space. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the colors of your space. You can also go for an energizing, relaxing arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces furniture with a table between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent it from fading or forming scuffs. And if you want to protect your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent every once or twice per year.