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How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather sofas because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You must get up close and personal - take a whiff, feel and flip over a couch to look at the back.
For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE was tested with contact areas (such as arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather is, however is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to stains or urine from your pet. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor eliminator that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, wring it out or switch to a new one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.
Airing out your leather is another natural way to get rid of the smell. If possible, set the couch outside in a sun-lit area to let it air dry. This will remove any unwanted smells and give the sofa an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing smells and will keep it smelling good for longer.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing, it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, it can absorb odors from cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially when you have children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches aren't able to trap these odors like fabrics can make them a great option for families with active families.
It is crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy pee. You can use the tips given above or a product such as Leather Honey to resolve the problem. The best option is to prevent the problem and ensure that you train your dog to never pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few indicators to look for when shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine if it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade with age but it should remain evident when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this test, gently press your fingers on the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is probably bonded or faux leather.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a major effect on its longevity however, it's not always obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you choose a sofa with an extended lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To ensure durability, a wooden frame must also be dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're shopping for a price that isn't too expensive there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless fall in love with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually available for sale and can be adapted to your home.
Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It is classic in design and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabric. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
soft leather couch offer a unique appeal that other kinds of furniture can't match. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and can withstand wear and tear far better than fabrics, which makes them last for years to come. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are a few dangers when purchasing a leather couch - and it is important to know what to look out for prior to making your final choice.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is made of leather or fabric, you should first check the tag that identifies the material that is attached to the frame. This will reveal the exact type of material it is. However, you must make use of your senses to help make an informed decision if you are unable to find any information about the composition of the material used in the sofa.
A key indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and observe the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is uniform and smooth, or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it's not real leather. This is because animal hides are restricted in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you can, lift up a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered in an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another sign that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and rough when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic for reasons. The soft, natural look and feel can elevate any living space. Plus the modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand sagging or cracking. And because each hide has distinct marks and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While prices and labels are great pointers but the best way to know whether you're buying authentic leather is to get up close and personal with it. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
Another dead giveaway is a backing made of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a standard feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.
Check the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. This indicates that the leather was constructed with attention to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the couch's back appears like a piece of cloth, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or leather couch that has been bonded.
Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with your other furniture for your living space. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the colors of your living space. Or go for a more comfortable, lively layout by putting your couch against other furniture pieces and placing the addition of a coffee table.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure that it doesn't fade or develop scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by prolonging its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection product every once or twice per year.