How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It is often difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather sofas due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. You should get close to the couch and look at it carefully. Smell, touch and turn the cushion over to see the back.

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

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather is, however typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to pet urine. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to smells.

You can also use an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to gather dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a fresh one. Alternately, you can pour the solution into the spray bottle and spray it on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again.

Airing your leather couch set out is another natural way to remove odors. If possible, set the sofa outside in a sunny area to let it air dry. This will remove any unwanted odors, and give the sofa a fresh, natural scent.

If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will stop your leather from soaking up unpleasant odors and keep it looking good for a longer time.

Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, leather can absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate, especially when you have children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.

If your couch smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to get the problem addressed immediately. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the problem. The best option is to prevent the problem and ensure that you train your dog to not pee on your couch.

2. Feel

There are a few indicators to look for when you are shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. This scent may fade as you age however there shouldn't be any doubt about it when a sofa is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the touch and warm to the. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have the impression of plastic. To test this try pressing your fingertips onto the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.

If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another indicator. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.

The quality of a sofa's frame can have a significant effect on its durability however, this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has a long lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive option, while engineered or particle board frames aren't as robust. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to avoid mildew or warping.

If you're on a tight budget there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you could still fall in love with. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often offered for sale and is easily customized to fit your home.

Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and its back cushions are prone to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches are an exception to other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can endure wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They will last for many years. They also resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require as much regular maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are some dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it is important to be aware of what to look for before making your final choice.

If you're unsure whether your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to find out exactly what type of fabric or leather it's made of. If you cannot discover any information about the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to help you make a decision.

The couch's surface is worth a close examination and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be consistent. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back instead of coarse suede, this is a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on its back, it is not real leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are restricted in size and can be cut only to a certain extent. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.

If you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered in a woven material or polyurethane then this is a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and coarse when it is touched.

4. Patterns

A leather couch is a timeless classic for the reason. The natural, warm design and feel can add a touch of class to any living room. Modern tanning methods give it extra durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique, with its own marks, grain and blemishes.

While labels and prices are excellent indicators, the best way to determine whether you're buying authentic leather is to go up close and intimate with it. Examine the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an in-depth glimpse of its genuine. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonded.

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

Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been constructed with care 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 to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.

After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other furniture for your living space. To create a clean, coordinated style, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood, and line it with pillows that reflect the color scheme of your room. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic arrangement by placing your sofa in a row with other furniture pieces, and the addition of a coffee table.

Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to protect your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protector once or twice a year.