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 need to get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the back.

For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The 'non contact' areas were a mix of coated polyester and Cotton.

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it may be caused by pet urine or stains. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not pleased with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it soft leather couch and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.

Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor-removing agent that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, squeeze it out or replace with an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.

Airing your leather out is another method to eliminate the smell. Set the couch in a sun-lit area to air out. This will remove any unwanted odors, and also give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from taking in odors and keep it smelling good for longer.

Although the smell of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, particularly when your home is occupied by pets or children. Fortunately, real leather couches aren't able to trap the odors as fabrics can, making them an ideal choice for families with active families.

If your couch smells akin to a pee-soaked puppy It's crucial to get the problem addressed immediately. Use the tips given above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the issue. The best solution is to stop the problem from occurring, so make sure you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.

2. Feel

There are a few clues to look out for when shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable unique, natural scent. The scent can fade as you age however, it should be evident when the sofa is new.

A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.

If you notice vertical seams stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another indicator. This means the leather isn't a single piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.

The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its longevity, but this isn't always evident. Find out what kind of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly option, while engineered or particle board frames are less robust. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.

If you're on a tight budget There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless enjoy. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.

Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It is a classic style and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabric. The sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches are different from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They last for many years. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are issues to be aware of when purchasing a leather couch - and it's important to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final choice.

If you're unsure whether your new couch is genuine l shaped leather couch, the first thing you need to look over the material tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of fabric or leather it's made of. However, you should also utilize your own senses to make an informed decision if you are unable to find any information about the composition of the material used in the sofa.

A good way to tell is to take a close look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading, and patterns in greater detail. Genuine leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back instead of rough suede, that's a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Another test to take is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is a sign that it's not true leather. This is due to the fact that hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut 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 bonded or faux leather.

If you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is coated with a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine Leather l couch should feel firm and coarse when touched.

4. Patterns

A leather couch is a timeless classic with reasons. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living space. Plus, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Because each hide has distinct marks and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.

The best way to determine if the leather you are buying is authentic is to look at it up close. Examine the surface texture, structure and pattern for an even more precise look at its authenticity. If the structure appears to be uniform and there are no visible flaws, it's most likely faux or bond leather.

Another obvious sign is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and is backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make furniture.

Look at the back of your couch to see whether there are vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that's been constructed with care 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 sofa.

After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other furniture for your living space. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the colors of your living space. You can also opt for a more fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and the addition of a coffee table.

Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to avoid it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.