How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it’s sometimes difficult to determine whether you’re buying a genuine leather couch. You need to get up close and personal – smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the backing.

For instance, a ‘leather’ couch CHOICE was tested with “contact” areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. The faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a bad smell, it could be caused by stains or pet urine. In most cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you’re not happy with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant against smells.

Baking soda is an excellent natural odor eliminator that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, squeeze it out or swap for an alternative. Alternately, you can pour the solution into spray bottles and spray it over your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it over again.

Another method to eliminate odors from your leather is to air it out. Place the sofa in a bright area to air out. This will remove any unwanted smells and also give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from soaking up smells and will keep it smelling good for longer.

Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn’t always easy to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, particularly when your home is occupied by children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not trap these odors as 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 with puppy poop. You can utilize the suggestions listed above or a product such as Leather Honey to resolve the problem. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

If you are looking for a new leather sofa There are some things to be aware of. However, the most effective way to determine whether it’s genuine is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. The scent can fade as you age, but it is impossible to miss it when a sofa is brand new.

A genuine leather couch should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this test, gently press your fingers to the couch’s surface and feel for bumps. If you can’t feel any bumps, the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather.

If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn’t one continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.

The quality of the frame on a leather couch can have a major effect on its lifespan however, it’s often not obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you choose an item that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. the full report or engineered frames are less durable. For extra durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln-dried to prevent warping and mildew.

If you’re shopping on a tight budget there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas you can still be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and flexible option that’s often available for sale and can be adapted to your home.

Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabric. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas offer a unique aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can’t compete with. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear better than fabric, making them last for years to be. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens which means they don’t require as much regular care and cleaning. Leather couches aren’t any different. As with any other purchase, it’s important to be aware of risks before making a final choice.

If you’re not sure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing you need to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to discover what kind of leather or fabric it’s made of. If you can’t discover any information about the couch’s material composition or the type of leather it is, you can utilize your senses to make the decision.

The couch’s surface should be examined closely and pay attention to the patterns, shading and texture. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing appears in place of coarse leather, it’s a clear indication of fake or synthetic leather.

Another test to take is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If you see a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn’t authentic leather. This is because hides from animals are limited in size and can be cut only to a certain degree. Top-rated manufacturers always 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 an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered with a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and rough when the touch is made.

4. Patterns

A genuine leather sofa is a classic, and with good reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Plus modern tanning techniques gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is distinctive with its own unique imperfections, markings, and grain.

The best way to determine whether the leather you are buying is authentic is to look at it closely. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure appears to be uniform and there are no noticeable blemishes, it’s likely fake or bond leather.

Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing made of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a common feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.

Check the back of your couch to see if there are any vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with care to last. If there aren’t any seams and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it’s likely to be a faux or bonded leather couch.

After you’ve determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it’s now time to pair it with your other furniture for your living space. For a crisp, coordinated look, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood, and accent it with pillows that reflect the color scheme of your space. You can also opt for a more comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch against other furniture pieces and placing a coffee table in between.

Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area so that it doesn’t deteriorate or show scuff marks from direct sunlight. If you’re looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.