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How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. You should get close to the couch and inspect it with care. Smell, touch and flip the cushion to examine the back.
For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE test had "contact" areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should be a natural, rich and luxurious. False leather on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your sofa smells unpleasant, it could be due to pet urine. In most cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you're not happy with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture levels, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant against odors.
You can also use an organic odor eliminator such as baking soda to remove unpleasant smells from your couch. leather sofa and loveseat set of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth starts to gather dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it again.
The process of airing out your leather is another natural way to remove the smell. If you are able, place the couch outside in a sun-lit area to air it out. This will help remove unpleasant odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will stop your leather from taking in unpleasant odors and keep it looking good for a longer time.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather can absorb odors, such as smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate, especially when you have children or pets. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabrics can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
If your sofa smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to get the problem addressed immediately. You can try some of the suggestions above, or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. Prevention is the best solution, though, so be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Feel
When shopping for a new leather sofa, there are a few things you should be aware of. But the best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. The smell can fade with age, but it should be evident when the sofa is fresh.
A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the touch and warm to the. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips onto the surface of the couch and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another sign of a fake. This means that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its lifespan, but it's not always obvious. To ensure you're buying 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 alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less sturdy. For added durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're on a budget it is possible to find an authentic leather sofa you will love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile option that's often on sale and can easily be customized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are fade-resistant. The sofa is modular and a bit difficult to assemble at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of furniture can't compete with. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for years to come. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are some dangers when buying a leather couch and it is important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final decision.
If you're not sure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing to look over the material tag on the frame to find out the exact type of fabric or leather it's made of. However, you must utilize your own senses to help make a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa.
The couch's surface should be examined closely and pay attention to the texture, shading and patterns. Real leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be uniform. If the couch's surface appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like backing in place of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not genuine leather. The reason is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut as big. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you are able to try lifting up a corner of the sofa or cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered with an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a rough and coarse surface that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a classic and for good reason. The material's warm, natural appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Additionally the modern tanning process adds a bit of durability to resist cracking or sagging. Because each hide has its own unique marks, grain, and blemishes, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to tell whether the leather you're buying is genuine 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 aren't visible flaws, it's most likely fake or bonded leather.
Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed with materials that closely match the fabric used to make furniture.
Check the back of your sofa to see whether there are vertical seams. This indicates that the leather was constructed 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 sofa.
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. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the colors of your room. You can also opt for a more comfortable, lively arrangement by placing your sofa in a row with other furniture pieces, and the addition of a coffee table.
Remember to keep your leather sofa in a bright area to ensure it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent every other year.
