How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to the misinformation on price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. It is important to get close and personal - smell, feel and then turn over a couch to look at the backing.

For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE was tested with 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were a mixture of coated polyester and cotton.

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux cheap leather sofa, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to 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, try applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather which makes it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant to odors.

You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to absorb dirt, wring it out or switch to another. Alternately, you can pour the solution into spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again.

Another way to get rid of the smells from your leather is to air it out. If possible, set the sofa outside in a sunny area to let it air out. This will eliminate any unwanted odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you'd like to avoid unpleasant smells altogether then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresh for longer by stopping it from absorption of odors.

While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially when you have pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't trap these odors like fabric upholstery can make them a great choice for families with active families.

It is crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy poop. You can try a few of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best solution but be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!

2. Feel

There are a few indicators to look for when you are shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. leather couches clearance has a distinct unique, natural scent. The scent can fade with age however there shouldn't be any doubt about it when a sofa is brand new.

A genuine leather couch is supposed to be warm and soft to the 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 to the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.

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

The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a significant impact on its life span however it's not always obvious. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used to construct the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as robust. To ensure durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln dried to prevent warping and mildew.

If you're shopping on a tight budget there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you can still fall in love with. 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.

The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are stain-resistant. However, this sofa requires assembly at home and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches offer a unique aesthetic that other forms of furniture can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They will last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. Leather couches are no different. Like any other purchase, it is essential to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final choice.

If you're unsure if your new couch is genuine leather the first thing you need to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover what kind of leather or fabric it is made of. If you cannot find any information regarding the sofa's material composition, you can use your senses to help you make an informed decision.

A key indicator is to take a close look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in detail. A real leather couch has natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it has a mesh-like backing instead of rough suede, that's a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Another way to test this is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on its back, it isn't real leather. The reason for this is because animal hides are limited in their size, and are only cut to a certain large. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.

If you are able to raise an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered by a woven material or polyurethane then it's a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you contact it.

4. Patterns

A leather sofa is a timeless design for a reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living space. Plus, a modern leather sofa tanning process adds a bit of durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Each hide is distinct, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.

The best way to tell whether the leather you're purchasing is genuine is to inspect it in person. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is uniform and there aren't any obvious flaws, it's probably faux or the leather is bonded.

Another obvious sign is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a standard feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed with materials that closely match the fabric used to create furniture.

Finally, check the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather has been constructed with care to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the couch's back appears like a continuous piece of cloth, it's most likely a fake or leather couch that has been bonded.

Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. For a crisp, coordinated look, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood and line it up with pillows that reflect the colors in your room. Or, you can opt for a relaxed, dynamic arrangement by placing your sofa across from other pieces with a coffee table in between.

Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or forming scratches. And if you want to protect your investment by extending its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection agent every once or twice per year.