How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to misleading price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. You need to get up close and personal - take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the backing.

For example, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE test had contact areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the non-contact areas were made up of coated polyester and cotton.

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather is, however is often chemically processed and artificial. If your couch has a bad smell, it could be caused by stains or pet urine. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture and make it more supple and less brittle, as well as more resistant to odors.

You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to get rid of unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather couch. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, you can wring it out or replace with another. Alternately, you can pour the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it over your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it again.

Airing your leather out is another natural way to get rid of the smell. If you are able, place the sofa outside in a sunny spot to let it air dry. This will eliminate any unwanted odors, and provide it with a fresh, natural scent.

If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresh for longer by stopping it from absorbing smells.

While the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it can be difficult to keep clean. As time passes, leather will absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be hard to get rid of particularly if you have children or pets. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabrics can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.

If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to address the issue immediately. Try some of the suggestions above or you can try a specific product like Leather Honey to treat the issue. The best leather couch way to treat the issue is to avoid the issue therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.

2. Feel

There are a few clues to look out for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The smell fades with age however, it should be evident when the sofa is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa should also feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the surface of the couch and look for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.

If you notice vertical seams stitched on the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This means that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.

The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its durability, but it's not always obvious. To ensure you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the type of wood is used in the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.

If you're shopping for a price that isn't too expensive There are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless fall in love with. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently 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 is a classic design and is available in a wide selection of fabrics that are resistant to fade. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Genuine leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of furniture can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. Leather couches aren't different. As with any other purchase, it is essential to be aware of risks before making a final decision.

If you're not sure whether your new sofa is genuine leather, the first thing you need to look over the material tag on the frame to find out exactly what type of fabric or leather it's made of. However, you should also make use of your senses to assist you in making a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa.

The most important indicator is to take a close look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading, and patterns in greater detail. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it's a sure giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.

Another good test is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If you see a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn't true leather. The reason is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut so big. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or faux leather.

If you are able lift one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered in an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you feel it.

4. Patterns

A leather sofa is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living room. modern White leather match sofa by ashley genoa tanning techniques give it added durability, so that it resists cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes.

While prices and labels are great pointers however, the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to get up close and intimate with it. To get a better idea of the authenticity, look at the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonded.

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

Lastly, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched 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 couch's back appears like a single piece of fabric, it's likely a fake or bonded leather sofa.

After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with your other furniture for your living space. To create a clean, coordinated style, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood, and line it up with pillows that echo the colors in your space. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.

Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to stop it fading or developing scuffs. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.