How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying an authentic leather sofa. You should be able to walk up to the couch and examine it with care. Touch, smell and turn the cushion over to examine the back.

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

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa will smell natural, fresh and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa has a bad smell, it could be due to pet urine or stains. In most cases, a good cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather which makes it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to smells.

Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to accumulate dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also put the solution into the spray bottle and spray it on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.

Airing your leather out is another method to get rid of the smell. Place the sofa in a sunny area to air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and also give the couch a fresh, natural scent.

If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher for longer, preventing it from absorption of odors.

The scent of l shape leather sofa can be attractive, but it's difficult to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors such as smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to get rid of, especially when you have pets or children. Genuine leather couches do not trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.

If your couch smells akin to the scent of a puppy's pee, it's important to address the issue immediately. You can try some of the suggestions above, or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Feel

There are some clues to look out for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. The scent can fade as you age however, it should be clear when the couch is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a a plasticky feel. To test it, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the leather is probably bonded or faux leather.

If you notice vertical seams stitched across the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.

The quality of the frame on a leather couch can have a significant impact on its lifespan however, it's not always clear. To ensure that you're getting a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. To ensure durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you're for a price that isn't too expensive, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you can still be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens Leather leatherette sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible option that's often available for sale and can be customized to fit your home.

Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining 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 have a tendency to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches are different from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and can withstand wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for a long time to come. They also resist spills and stains 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. As with any other purchase, it's essential to be aware of the dangers before making a final decision.

If you are not sure if your new couch is made of fabric or leather it is best to first look at the tag of materials that is attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of fabric it is. If you cannot find any information about the couch's materials then you can use your senses to make an informed decision.

The couch's surface must be carefully examined and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. Real leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be consistent. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or has a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, it's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Check the back of the cushion casing. If there is an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's a sign that it's not genuine leather. The reason for this is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and are only cut to a certain large. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch through the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or faux leather.

If you can raise a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is coated with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather modular sofa should feel sturdy and coarse when the touch is made.

4. Patterns

A genuine leather sofa is a classic, and for good reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living space. Additionally modern tanning techniques gives it the added durability to resist cracking or sagging. And because each hide has distinctive markings and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.

The best way to determine whether the leather you're purchasing is genuine is to inspect it up close. To better understand authenticity, examine the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it is likely to be fake or bonding.

Another dead giveaway is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a standard feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely like the fabric used in making the furniture.

Take a look at the back of your couch to determine whether there are any vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with attention to last. If there are no seams and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it is 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 pair it with your other living room furniture. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and add pillows that complement the colors of your space. You can also go for more relaxed, energetic layout by placing the couch between two pieces furniture with a table between.

Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to extend the life of your Leather lounge suite sofa and protect it from damage, apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.