Real Leather Couch: A Simple Definition

How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux It is often difficult to determine if you are purchasing genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal to smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the back. For example, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE tested had “contact” areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated. 1. Smell A genuine leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. False leather, however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa smells unpleasant, it could be due to pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it more soft, less brittle, and more resistant to odors. Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor remover that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to accumulate dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it over again. The process of airing out your leather is another way to remove odors. Set the couch in a sunny area to air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and give the sofa a natural, fresh scent. If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant smells altogether, you can purchase a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher longer by keeping it from absorption of odors. While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. As time passes, leather will absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to eliminate particularly if you have pets or children. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children. If your couch smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to take action immediately. You can use the tips mentioned above or a product such as Leather Honey to resolve the issue. The best solution is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch. 2. Feel free to contact us with any questions. If you are looking for a new leather sofa There are some things to look out for. The best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. The smell fades as you age, but it should be evident when the couch is new. A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the touch and warm to the. Bonded and faux leathers however, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded. Another sign of a fake sofa is when you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this. The quality of the frame of leather couches can have a major impact on its lifespan however, it's often not obvious. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you select an item that has longevity for a long time. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to prevent warping or mildew. If you're shopping on a budget There are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless fall in love with. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often offered for sale and is easily customized to match your home. Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and is available in hundreds of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down. 3. Backing Real leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are incredibly robust and withstand wear and tear far more than fabric, making them last for years to be. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust, so they don't need as much regular care and cleaning. However, as with anything else in life, there are dangers when purchasing a leather couch – and it pays to know what to look out for before you make your final decision. If you're not sure whether your new sofa is genuine leather the first thing to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover the exact type of fabric or leather it's made from. If you can't find any information regarding the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make the decision. The couch's surface should be examined closely with a keen eye on the patterns, shading and texture. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be uniform. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing in place of coarse suede, this is an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather. Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not real leather. The reason for this is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and can only be cut so big. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather. Finally, if you can attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered in a woven material or polyurethane it is an indication 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 leather sofa is a classic and for good reason. The warm, natural appearance and feel of the material can enhance any living space. Additionally the modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to withstand cracks and sagging. And because each hide has its own unique marks, grain, and blemishes Every leather sofa is unique. While prices and labels are excellent indicators however, the best way to tell if you're buying authentic leather is to go up close and close to it. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern for an in-depth view of its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it is likely to be faux or bonding. Another dead giveaway is a backing of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a common characteristic of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and is backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture. Look at the back of your sofa to see whether there are vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather was 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. After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with your other living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the color of your living space. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by placing your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and the addition of a coffee table. Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to prevent it from fading or forming scuffs. And if you want to safeguard your investment by extending its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection agent every two or three times a year.