How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a real leather couch. It is important to get close to the couch and look at it with care. Feel, smell, and flip the cushion to check out the backing.

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

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather however typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a unpleasant smell, it could be caused by urine or stains from pets. In most cases, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it softer, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.

Baking soda is a great natural odor-removing agent that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather sofa. If the cloth starts to pick up dirt, wring it out or switch to an alternative. You can also spray the solution on your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it again.

Another method to eliminate odors from your leather is by airing it out. If you are able, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to air it out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher longer by preventing it from absorbing the smells.

While the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to eliminate especially if you have pets or children. Leather couches don't hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.

If your couch smells like a pee-soaked puppy It is important to get the problem addressed immediately. You can try a few of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product like Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best option is to stop the problem from occurring and ensure that you train your dog to not pee on your couch.

2. Contact us if you have any questions.

There are a few clues to look for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. This aroma can dull with age however there should be no mistaking it when a sofa is brand new.

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

Another dead giveaway is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.

The quality of a sofa's frame can have a major impact on its longevity, but this isn't always immediately apparent. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has longevity for a long time. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. For extra durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln dried to prevent warping and mildew.

If you're for a price that isn't too expensive there are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens Leather leatherette sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile option that's often offered for sale and can be customized to fit your home.

Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It is a classic style and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabric. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home and its back cushions are prone to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for a long time to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to purchasing a leather couch - and it pays to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final choice.

If you're not sure whether your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing you should look over the material tag on the frame to find out exactly what type of fabric or leather it's made of. If you can't discover any information about the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to make an informed decision.

The sofa's surface should be examined closely, paying attention to the texture, shading and patterns. Real leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing appears instead of coarse leather, it's a sure indication of fake or synthetic leather.

Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it isn't real leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are restricted in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. To ensure the best quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch across the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather.

If you can raise a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered by a woven material or polyurethane then it's an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you feel it.

4. Patterns

A leather sofa is a timeless classic with the reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is distinctive, with its own markings, grain and blemishes.

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

A polyurethane back on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a common feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will look more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.

Look at the back of your sofa to see whether there are any vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that's been constructed with care to last. If there are no seams and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.

After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with your other furniture in your living room. For a crisp, coordinated look, match your sofa to other wooden furniture and line it up with pillows that echo the color scheme of your living space. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by putting your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and an occasional table.

Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure 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 use a leather sofa restoration, Read the Full Guide, protection agent once or twice per year.