7 Simple Secrets To Totally Refreshing Your Real Leather Couch
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if are buying a genuine leather couch because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal to smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the backing.
For instance, a 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the non-contact areas were a mixture of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather however typically smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your sofa smells unpleasant, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it more soft, less brittle, and more resistant to smells.
You can also use an organic odor remover like baking soda to get rid of unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather couch. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can wring it or replace it with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.
Another natural way to remove the smells of your leather is by airing it out. Set the couch in a sunny area to let it air. This will help eliminate unwanted odors, and provide it with a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher for longer, keeping it from taking in smells.
The scent of leather may be attractive, but it's difficult to maintain. Over time, it can absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, or even body smell. These odors can be difficult to eliminate especially if you have pets or children. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
If your couch smells akin to an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it's important to take action immediately. Try some of the suggestions above, or try using a dedicated product like Leather Honey to treat the problem. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
There are some clues to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine if it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. The scent can fade with age however, it should be clear when the couch is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to touch. Leathers made of faux and bonded are often colder and have the impression of plastic. To test it, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
Another dead giveaway is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't a single piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a major impact on its lifespan however it's not always clear. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you select a sofa with an extended lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. For added durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln-dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you are on a tight budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile choice that's usually available for sale and can be adapted to your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It has a classic look and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are fade-resistant. However, this sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They last for many years. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens, so they don't need more frequent maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. As with any other purchase, it's essential to be aware of risks before making a final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of leather or fabric, you should first check the tag of materials that is on the frame. This will tell you exactly what kind of fabric it is. However, you must make use of your senses to make an informed decision if you are unable to discover any information regarding the material composition of the sofa.
The surface of the sofa should be examined closely and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. Real leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be uniform. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like back instead of coarse suede, it's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, that's an indication that it isn't authentic leather. This is due to the fact that hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able to, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is coated with a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane, this is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a rough and coarse coating that feels sturdy when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with reasons. The natural, warm design and feel can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning methods give it extra durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sagging. Each hide is distinct with its own unique imperfections, markings, and grain.
While labels and prices are great pointers but the best way to tell if you're buying genuine leather couches for sale near me is to get close and close to it. Examine the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an even more precise glimpse of its genuine. If the structure appears to be uniform and there aren't noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bonded leather.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing made of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch for 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 are no seams and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather couch.
If you've concluded that a sofa is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, pair your sofa to other wooden furniture and line it up with pillows that echo the colors in your room. You can also choose a more dynamic, relaxed layout by placing the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a table in between.
Make sure your small leather corner sofa 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 life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent once or twice a year.