15 Undeniable Reasons To Love Real Leather Couch
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying a real leather couch. It is important to get close to the couch and inspect it closely. Touch, smell and flip the cushion to check out the backing.
For instance, a sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE test had "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were a mixture of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather is, however typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather's moisture levels, making it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant to smells.
You can also make use of an organic odor remover such as baking soda to get rid of unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, you can wring it out or switch to another. Alternately, you can pour the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping again.
Airing out your leather is another method to get rid of odors. If you are able, place the couch outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will help remove unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will stop your leather from taking in unpleasant odors and keep it looking nice for longer.
The scent of leather can be appealing, but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather can absorb odors, such as smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to remove, especially in homes with children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't trap these odors like fabrics can make them a great choice for households with active families.
It's crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy poop. Try some of the suggestions above, or use a specific product like Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best leather couch way to go but be sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
When shopping for a new leather sofa there are a few things you should be aware of. However, the best way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The smell fades as you age however, it should be evident when the couch is new.
A genuine leather couch should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers, on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test it, gentle press your fingers on the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.
Another dead giveaway is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a significant impact on its durability, but it's not always obvious. To ensure you're getting a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used to construct the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly option, while engineered or particle board frames are less sturdy. To ensure durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're on a tight budget, there are a lot of cheap leather couches genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless fall in love with. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily customized to match your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is classic in design and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabric. The sofa requires assembly at home and the back cushions are prone to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They will last for a long time. They also tend to resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract allergens and dust, so they don't need as much regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't any different. As with any other purchase, it's essential to be aware of the dangers before making a final choice.
If you're unsure whether your new couch is genuine leather the first thing you should do is look at the materials tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made of. If you cannot find any information regarding the couch's material composition, you can utilize your senses to make an informed decision.
A key indicator is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and observe the texture, shading and patterns in depth. A real leather couch will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in terms of structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If there is stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn't genuine leather. The reason for this is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and can only be cut as large. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather sofa set (see page) leather.
Finally, if you can attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered with a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and coarse when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic with the reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sagging. Because each hide has distinct markings, grain, and blemishes, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to know whether the leather you're purchasing is genuine is to inspect it up close. For a better understanding of authenticity, examine the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws, it's most likely faux or bond leather.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a different indicator. This is a common characteristic of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been constructed with care to last. If there aren't any seams, and the rear looks like a continuous cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded-leather couch.
Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated style, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood and line it up with pillows that reflect the colors in your room. You can also choose an energizing, relaxing arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces furniture with a table between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.