15 Undeniable Reasons To Love Real Leather Couch
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather sofas due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. You should get close to the couch and examine it with care. Smell, touch and turn the cushion to check out the backing.
For example, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather however typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a bad smell, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not pleased with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it softer and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor remover that can be used to eliminate 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 gather dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it again.
Another natural way to remove odors from your leather is by airing it out. Set the couch in a bright space to let it air out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors, and provide it with an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher longer by keeping it from absorbing odors.
The smell of leather can be appealing, but it can be difficult to keep. In time, it may absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to get rid of especially if you have pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches aren't able to trap the odors as fabric upholstery can make them a great choice for families with active families.
If your couch smells akin to a pee-soaked puppy It's crucial to take action immediately. Use the tips given above or a product like Leather Honey to resolve the issue. Prevention is the best option but be sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us with any questions.
When shopping for a new leather sofa there are a few things to look out for. But the most effective way to determine if it's real leather sofa is to smell it and feel it. Real leather has a distinct natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The smell fades with age, but it should be clear when the couch is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa should also feel soft to the touch and warm to the. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a a plasticky feel. To test this, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and check for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of the sofa, it's another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its lifespan however, this isn't always evident. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select a sofa with a long lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly option, while engineered or particle board frames are less sturdy. For extra durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless enjoy. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often available for sale and can be easily customized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is classic in design and is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabrics. They will last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. Leather couches aren't any different. As with any other purchase, it is important to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is genuine leather the first thing you should look over the material tag on the frame to discover the exact type of fabric or curved leather sofa it's made from. However, you should also make use of your senses to assist you in making an informed decision if you are unable to discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa.
The sofa's surface must be carefully examined with a keen eye on the pattern, texture, and shading. A genuine leather sofa has natural imperfections and may not be uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the couch's surface appears to be smooth and uniform, or has a mesh-like backing in place of coarse suede, it's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, that's a sign that it's not genuine leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and they can only be cut so large. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will sew and stitch through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a classic and with good reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Additionally modern tanning techniques adds a bit of durability to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is distinctive with its own unique markings, grain and blemishes.
While prices and labels are great pointers but the best leather sofa way to determine whether you're buying authentic leather is to go close and personal with it. For a better understanding of authenticity, examine the texture of the surface, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be faux or bonding.
Another obvious sign is a backing of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a standard feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather was constructed with attention to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.
If you've decided that a sofa is genuine leather the next step is to match it with the rest of the furniture in your living space. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the colors of your room. You can also choose an energizing, relaxing layout by putting the sofa in between two pieces of furniture with a table in between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming scuffs. And if you want to protect your investment by prolonging its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection product every once or twice per year.