How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if are buying a genuine leather couch due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and inspect it carefully. Smell, touch and flip the cushion to examine the back.
For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE test had "contact" areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made up of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather is, however, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch has a unpleasant smell, it could be caused by stains or pet urine. In most cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it more soft, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a great natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, squeeze it out or swap for an alternative. Alternatively, you can put the solution in the spray bottle and spray it on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it again.
Another method to eliminate odors from your leather is by airing it out. Place the sofa in a sunny area to air out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors, and provide it with a fresh, natural scent.
If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, preventing it from taking in the smells.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to maintain. In time, it may absorb smells from cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate, especially if you have pets or children. Genuine leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
It's crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy urine. You can use the tips listed above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the problem. The best way to treat the issue is to prevent the problem and ensure that you train your dog to never pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few indicators to look out for when buying a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine if it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade with age but it should remain evident when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to touch. Bonded and faux leathers however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips onto the surface of the couch and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely faux-leather or bonded.
If you see vertical seams stitched across the back of the sofa, it's another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant impact on its durability but this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has a long lifespan. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less robust. To increase durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to avoid mildew or warping.
If you're shopping on a tight budget There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can still fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and flexible option that's often available for sale and can be customized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is a classic style and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires assembly at home and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas offer a unique appeal that other types of furniture cannot compete with. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear 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 allergens and dust which means they don't require as much regular care and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. Like every other purchase, it's essential to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final decision.
If you're unsure if your new sofa is genuine leather, the first thing you need to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to determine what kind of fabric or leather it is made of. However, you should also make use of your senses to assist you in making an informed decision if you are unable to find any information about the materials used to make the sofa.
The sofa's surface is worth a close examination, paying attention to the patterns, shading and texture. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern or shading won't be consistent. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a dead indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it is not genuine leather. This is because animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will sew and stitch across the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you are able lift a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is coated with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and coarse when touched.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic for reasons. The natural, warm design and feel can add a touch of class to any living room. In addition the modern tanning process adds a bit of durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Since each hide comes with distinct markings and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators however, the best way to know whether you're buying authentic leather is to go close and close to it. For a better understanding of authenticity, examine the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible flaws on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been constructed with care to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a piece of cloth, it's most likely a lower-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other living room furniture. For a sleek, unified style, pair your sofa with other furniture made of wood, and accent it with pillows that match the colors of your living space. You can also opt for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by putting your couch across from other pieces with an occasional table.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or developing scuffs. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent at least once or twice a year.