How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It can be difficult to tell if you are purchasing a genuine leather couch because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and look at it carefully. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion to examine the back.

For instance, one sofa that was ‘leather’ CHOICE test had ‘contact’ areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the ‘non-contact’ areas were made of coated polyester and cotton.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. Faux leather is, 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 instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you’re not happy with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore the leather’s moisture and make it more supple and less brittle, as well as more resistant against smells.

You can also use an organic odor remover like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternatively, you can put the solution into the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.

Another method to eliminate the smells of your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a bright 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 buy a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresh for longer by stopping it from absorbing the smells.

While the scent of natural leather is appealing, it isn’t always easy to maintain. In time, it may absorb smells from cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, particularly when your home is occupied by children or pets. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabrics can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.

It’s crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy pee. You can use the tips given above or a product such as Leather Honey to resolve the issue. Prevention is the best way to go, though, so be sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Feel

There are a few clues to look for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable way to determine whether it’s genuine is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. This aroma can dull as time passes, but it is impossible to miss it when a sofa is new.

A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingers against the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If there aren’t any bumps on the couch, it is likely faux-leather or bonded.

Another sign of a fake sofa is when you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn’t a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches .

The quality of the frame of a leather couch can have a major effect on its longevity however it’s not always clear. To make sure you’re buying a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less robust. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to prevent warping and mildew.

If you’re on a tight budget There are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you could still be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and flexible option that’s often offered for sale and can be customized to suit your home.

Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabric. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They will last for a long time. They also are resistant to staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens and therefore don’t require the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren’t any different. As with any other purchase, it is important to be aware of pitfalls before making a final decision.

If you’re unsure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing you need to look over the material tag on the frame to determine the exact type of fabric or leather it is made of. If you can’t find any information about the couch’s material composition then you can use your senses to make an informed decision.

The couch’s surface should be examined closely with a keen eye on the pattern, texture, and shading. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern or shading will not be uniform. If the surface of a couch 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.

Another good test is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it is not real leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut so big. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.

If you can, lift up a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered in an unwoven material or polyurethane then it’s an indication that the sofa isn’t genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and rough when the touch is made.

4. Patterns

A leather sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living room. Modern tanning techniques give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Each hide is distinctive and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes.

While prices and labels are great pointers, the best way to know if you’re buying genuine leather is to get close and personal with it. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren’t any visible blemishes on it, then it is likely to be faux or bonding.

Another dead giveaway is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa’s back. This is a standard feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.

Finally, check the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather has been made with attention to last. If there are no seams and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it is likely to be a faux or bonded leather couch.

Once you’ve determined that a couch is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it with the rest of your living room furniture. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that complement the colors of your space. You can also go for more relaxed, energetic arrangement by putting the couch in between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table between.

Remember to keep your leather sofa in a bright area to ensure it doesn’t fade or develop scratches from direct sunlight. If you’re looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent every other year.