How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It can be difficult to determine if you are purchasing genuine leather sofas due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the back.

For example, one leather lounge suite-upholstered couch CHOICE test had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather sofa set price but the 'non-contact' areas were a mixture of cotton and polyester.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your sofa smells unpleasant it could be due to stains or pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture levels which makes it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to odors.

Baking soda is an excellent natural odor eliminator that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather and fabric sofa sofa. If the cloth begins to gather dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. Alternately, you can pour the solution in the spray bottle and spray it onto your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it over again.

Another method to eliminate the smells of your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a bright area to air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the couch a fresh, natural scent.

If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant smells altogether You can buy an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher longer by stopping it from absorption of odors.

Although the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, particularly when your home is occupied by pets or children. Fortunately, real leather couches don't trap these odors like fabric upholstery can, making them an ideal option for families with active families.

If your couch smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to address the issue immediately. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the problem. The best solution is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to teach your dog not to pee on your couch.

2. Feel

If you are looking for a new leather sofa, there are a few things to be aware of. But the best way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Real leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. The scent can fade as time passes however, it should be clear when the couch is new.

A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the touch and warm to the. Faux and bonded leathers, on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test, gently press your fingers against the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it's likely faux-leather or bonded.

Another sign of a fake sofa is when you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.

The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a major impact on its lifespan but this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select a sofa with a long lifespan. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less sturdy. For added durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.

If you're on a budget, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you could still enjoy. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's 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 style and is available in a broad range of fabrics that are stain-resistant. This modular sofa is somewhat difficult to put together at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear better 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 some pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa - and it pays to know what to look out for before making your final choice.

If you're not sure whether 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 fabric or leather it's made from. But, you should make use of your senses to assist you in making the right choice if you don't find any information on the material composition of the sofa.

The couch's surface must be carefully examined, paying attention to the texture, shading and patterns. A genuine leather sofa will have natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in terms of structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like backing in place of coarse suede, it's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on its back, it isn't genuine leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and they can only be cut as big. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of a sofa to ensure that it is genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.

If you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered by a woven material or polyurethane then it's an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you feel it.

4. Patterns

A genuine comfy leather couch sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Plus mid century modern leather sofa tanning techniques gives it the added durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Each hide is distinctive, with its own markings, grain and blemishes.

While prices and labels are great pointers, the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to go up close and personal with it. Examine the texture, structure and pattern for an even more precise look at its authenticity. If the structure is completely uniform and there aren't any obvious flaws, it's probably faux or the leather is bonded.

Another dead giveaway is a backing of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and is backed by materials that closely like the fabric used to make the furniture.

Finally, check the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the couch's back appears like a continuous piece of fabric, it's likely a fake 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 in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, match your couch with other furniture made of wood, and line it with pillows that reflect the colors in your room. You can also go for a more dynamic, relaxed layout by putting the sofa between two pieces furniture with a coffeetable between.

Remember to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area so that it doesn't fade or develop scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.