How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather couches due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. You should be able to walk up to the couch and examine it with care. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion over to see the back.
For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE test had contact areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather is, however, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad, it could be due to stains or urine from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather and make it more supple and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
You can also make use of an organic odor remover such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. modern leather couch www.sofasandcouches.com and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it over again.
The process of airing out your leather is another natural way to eliminate odors. Place the sofa in a sunny area to let it air. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the sofa a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can purchase an oil-based leather conditioner that contains 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 however, it isn't always easy to maintain. In time, it may absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate, especially when you have children or pets. Fortunately, real leather couches aren't able to trap these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery make them a great choice for families with active families.
If your couch smells akin to the scent of a puppy's pee It is important to address the issue immediately. Use the tips given above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the problem. Prevention is the best way to go but be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!
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There are some clues to look out for when buying a leather sofa, however the most reliable method to determine if it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. This scent may fade as you age but it is impossible to miss it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the sofa's surface and look for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
Another indicator is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a sofa's frame can have a significant effect on its lifespan however, it's not always obvious. To ensure that you're getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used in the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less sturdy. To ensure durability, a frame made of hardwood must also be dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're shopping on a tight budget, there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas you can still be captivated by. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's often on sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is a classic style and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this modular sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions are prone to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They can last for a long time. They also resist staining and spills, and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens which means they don't require the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are a few dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it is important to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final decision.
If you're unsure whether 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 material it is. If you are unable to discover any information about the sofa's material composition then you can use your senses to help you make an informed decision.
The surface of the sofa must be carefully examined, paying attention to the patterns, shading and texture. A real leather couch will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in its structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a dead indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it is not real leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and are only cut to a certain large. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew throughout the back of a sofa to ensure that it is genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you are able to attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered in polyurethane or a weave, then it's a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in coating that feels sturdy when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic and for good reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living room. Plus modern tanning techniques provides it with the added strength to withstand cracks and sagging. Because each hide has distinctive patterns, grain, and blemishes, every leather couch is unique.
While labels and prices are great pointers however, the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to get close and intimate with it. Check the surface texture, structure and pattern to get an in-depth glimpse of its genuine. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonded.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common characteristic of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed by materials that closely like the fabric used in making the furniture.
Take a look at the back of your couch to determine if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign 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 appears like a piece of cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
Once you've confirmed that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with other living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that complement the colors of your room. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by putting your couch against other furniture pieces and placing the addition of a coffee table.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent every other year.