How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a genuine leather modular lounge sofa. You must get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the back.

For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE test had "contact" areas (such as arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery however the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa will smell natural, fresh and luxurious. False leather on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch smells bad it could be due to urine from pets. In most cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.

You can also use an organic odor eliminator such as baking soda to get rid of unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also put the solution into spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it off again.

Another way to get rid of the smells of your leather is by airing it out. Set the couch in a sun-lit space to let it air out. This will remove any unwanted odors, and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher for longer, keeping it from absorption of odors.

While the smell of natural leather is appealing, it can be difficult to keep clean. As time passes, it will absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate, especially when you have children or pets. Real leather couches do not trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.

It is crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy pee. You can try a few of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best solution is to avoid the issue and ensure that you train your dog to never pee on your couch.

2. Contact us if you have any questions.

When shopping for a new leather sofa, there are a few things to be looking for. However, the most effective way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Real leather has an unmistakable unique, natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes, but it should be clear when the couch is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to the touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely faux-leather or bonded.

If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.

The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan however it's often not obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. For extra durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.

If you're shopping for a price that isn't too expensive, there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually on sale and can easily be customized to suit your home.

Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Brown 3-Piece Reclining Set - Sofa and Loveseat Sofa It has a classic design and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Genuine leather couches are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly robust and withstand wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for years to be. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens, so they don't need more frequent care and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. Like every other purchase, it's important to be aware of risks before making a final choice.

If you're unsure if your new couch is genuine leather the first thing you need to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to find out exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made from. But, you should make use of your senses to help make a decision if you can't find any information on the composition of the material used in the sofa.

The sofa's surface must be carefully examined and pay attention to the patterns, shading and texture. Genuine leather couches will 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 backing in place of coarse suede, this is an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If you see an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's a sign that it's not authentic leather. The reason is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and they are only cut to a certain large. 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 Shop Premium Leather Sofas for Ultimate Comfort (browse this site).

If you are able to lift one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of padding is covered by an unwoven material or polyurethane then it's an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough surface that feels solid when you contact it.

4. Patterns

A genuine leather sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Additionally the modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Since each hide comes with distinctive patterns, grain, and blemishes each leather couch is unique.

The best way to determine whether the leather you're buying is genuine is to look at it in person. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it is likely to be fake or bound.

A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.

Look at the back of your sofa to see whether there are any vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. If there are no seams, and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather couch.

If you've concluded that a sofa is genuine leather The next step is to match it with the rest of the furniture in your living space. For a sleek, unified look, match your couch with other wooden furniture and accent it with pillows that match the colors in your living space. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic arrangement by placing your sofa against other furniture pieces and placing a coffee table in between.

Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure that it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage, apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.