This Is The Real Leather Couch Case Study You'll Never Forget
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if you are buying a genuine leather couch due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the back.
For example, a "leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the armrests and seats) in genuine leather while the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa has a bad smell, it could be caused by stains or pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture, making it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant against smells.
You can also use an organic odor remover such as baking soda to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can wring it out or swap for a new one. Alternatively, you can put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it on your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it over again.
Airing out your leather is another way to remove smells. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny area to let it air dry. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the sofa a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher longer by stopping it from absorbing smells.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors can be hard to get rid of especially if you have children or pets. 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 an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it's important to take action immediately. You can use the tips listed above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the problem. The best solution is to stop the problem from occurring and ensure that you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
There are some clues to look out for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. This scent may fade as time passes but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa is supposed to be warm and soft to touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test it, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, 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 the leather isn't a continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan however it's not always obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. To increase durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless be captivated by. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently offered for sale and is easily customized to match your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a broad range of fabrics that are resistant to fade. The sofa is modular and quite difficult to set up at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are different from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They last for many years. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. Leather couches are no different. Like any other purchase, it is essential to be aware of dangers before making a final choice.
If you are not sure whether your new sofa is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the materials tag attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of fabric it is. However, you should also utilize your own senses to assist you in making a decision if you can't find any information on the material composition of the sofa.
The sofa's surface should be examined closely, paying attention to the patterns, shading and texture. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be consistent. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back in place of rough suede, that's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If it has stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, that's an indication that it's not authentic leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut as big. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or cushion and inspect the back of the padding. If the back of the cushion is covered with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another sign that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and rough when it is touched.
4. Sofas And Couches is a classic, and with good reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the material can elevate any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sagging. Each hide is distinct and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes.
While labels and prices are great pointers but the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to go up close and intimate with it. Examine the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an in-depth look at its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it's likely to be fake or bound.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a further indicator. 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 to make furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been made with care to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a piece of fabric, it's likely a lower-quality faux or bonded leather couch.
Once you've determined that the couch is authentic leather the next step is to match it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that match the color of your room. You can also choose a more dynamic, relaxed arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces furniture with a coffeetable in between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area to ensure it doesn't deteriorate or show scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent at least once or twice a year.