How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It is often 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 - smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the fabric.

For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE test had "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. The faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa has a bad smell, it may be caused by stains or pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it soft leather sofa, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.

You can also use an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather couch. If the cloth begins to accumulate dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a new one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it again.

Airing your leather out is another natural way to get rid of the smell. Set the couch in a bright area to air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will stop your leather from taking in odors and keep it smelling good for a longer time.

The scent of leather can be attractive, but it's difficult to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate particularly if you have pets or children. Fortunately, leather couches don't hold these odors like fabrics can and are a good choice for families with active families.

It is crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy urine. You can try a few of the tips above, or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best way to treat the issue is to avoid the issue therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch.

2. Feel

If you are looking for a new leather sofa, there are a few things to be aware of. But the best way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is recognizable. The smell can fade with age but it should remain clear when the couch is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test it, gently press your fingers to the surface of a couch and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely faux-leather or bonded.

If you notice vertical seams stitched on the back of sofas, this is another indicator. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.

The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a major impact 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 select the right sofa that has an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to avoid mildew or warping.

If you're for a price that isn't too expensive, there are a lot of cheap genuine small leather couch sofas you can nevertheless be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and flexible option that's often on sale and can easily be customized to fit your home.

Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is classic in design and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabric. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and can withstand wear and tear much more than fabric, making them last for years to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. Leather couches aren't any different. Like any other purchase, it is essential to be aware of dangers before making a final choice.

If you're unsure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather, the first thing you need to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to find out exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made of. If you cannot find any information regarding the couch's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can utilize your senses to make an informed decision.

The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and look at the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. A genuine leather sofa has natural imperfections and may not be uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or has a mesh-like backing in place of rough suede, that's a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If you see an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn't true leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can be cut only to a certain extent. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine tufted leather couch and not bonded leather or faux leather.

If you are able to lift a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is coated with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you contact it.

4. Patterns

A genuine leather sofa is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it extra durability, so that it resists cracking or sagging. Since each hide comes with distinctive marks and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.

While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to determine if you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and personal with it. To better understand the authenticity, look at the surface texture patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.

A polyurethane back on a sofa is a further indicator. This is a standard feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and is backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.

Look at the back of your couch to determine if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with care to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a single piece of cloth, it's most likely a fake or leather couch that has been bonded.

If you've decided that a sofa is genuine leather the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your living room furniture. For a sleek, unified look, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood, and line it with pillows that echo the colors of your living space. You can also opt for more relaxed, energetic layout by placing the couch between two pieces furniture with a table in between.

Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage, apply a leather protector agent every other year.