How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It can be difficult to determine if are purchasing a genuine leather lounge suite couch due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the backing.

For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather while non-contact areas were a mix of coated polyester and Cotton.

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. The faux leather on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather modular sofa conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant against smells.

You can also use a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to remove unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather sofa. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, squeeze it out or replace with a new one. You can also put the solution in the spray bottle and spray it onto your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it again.

Airing out your leather is another method to get rid of odors. Set the couch in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will help eliminate unwanted odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.

If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresh for longer by preventing it from absorbing odors.

The scent of leather can be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. Over time, leather may absorb odors such as smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors are hard to get rid of, especially in homes with pets or children. Fortunately, real leather couches aren't able to trap these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery make them a great option for families with active families.