Real Leather Couch: A Simple Definition
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 misleading product descriptions and price tags. You should be able to walk up to the couch and look at it carefully. Feel, smell, and flip the cushion to examine the back.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered "contact" areas (such as the armrests and seats) in genuine leather, whereas non-contact areas were made up of coated polyester and Cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather couch and loveseat set sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather, however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling unpleasant smell, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In most cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather which makes it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against odors.
You can also use an organic odor remover such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather sofa. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, you can wring it out or swap for a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it again.
Airing your leather out is another natural way to eliminate the smell. Set the couch in a sunny area to 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 then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher for longer, stopping it from absorbing smells.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, leather may absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to eliminate especially when you have pets or children. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
It's important to take action immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy urine. You can try some of the suggestions above or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the issue. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
There are a few clues to look for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. This aroma can dull as you age but there should be no mistaking it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the touch and warm to the. Bonded and faux leathers, on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the surface of the couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a major effect on its lifespan however, it's often not obvious. To ensure that you're getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used to construct the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive option, while engineered or particle board frames are less robust. For extra durability, a wooden frame must also be dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless be captivated by. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often on sale and can be easily customized to match 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 range of fabrics that are stain-resistant. However, this modular sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
leather lounge suite sofas have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of furniture can't match. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear much better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to come. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are a few pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa - and it is important to know what to look out for before you make your final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new couch is genuine leather the first thing to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to determine what kind of leather or fabric it is made of. However, you should also make use of your senses to assist you in making a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the material composition of the sofa.
A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and look at the texture, shading and patterns in detail. A genuine leather sofa will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in terms of structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back in place of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it isn't real rustic leather sofa. The reason for this is because animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut as large. To ensure the best quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch across the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you are able raise a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered in a woven material or polyurethane then this is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. In addition the modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to withstand cracks and sagging. Since each hide comes with distinctive marks and blemishes, grain, and marks Every leather sofa is truly one-of-a-kind.
While labels and prices are excellent indicators but the best way to determine whether you're buying genuine leather is to get close and personal with it. To better understand the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure is completely uniform and there aren't any obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bonded leather.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a common characteristic of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed with materials that closely like the fabric used to make furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of cloth, it's likely a fake or bonded leather sofa.
If you've concluded that the couch is authentic leather the next step is to pair it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. For a crisp, coordinated style, pair your sofa to other furniture made of wood and line it up with pillows that match the color scheme of your room. Or, you can opt for a comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch against other furniture pieces and placing the addition of a coffee table.
Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't fade or develop scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.