12 Facts About Real Leather Couch To Make You Think Smarter About Other People
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 due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. You should get close to the couch and look at it with care. Smell, touch and flip the cushion to check out the backing.
For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were a mixture of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather, on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling unpleasant smell, it could be caused by pet urine or stains. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor remover that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can wring it out or replace with another. Alternately, you can pour the solution into the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it over again.
Airing out your leather is another way to get rid of smells. If possible, set the sofa outside in a sunny spot to air it out. This will remove any unwanted smells and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you want to avoid unpleasant smells altogether You can buy a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher longer by keeping it from taking in the smells.
While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to maintain. As time passes, it will absorb odors from smoking, cooking, or even body smell. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, particularly if your home has children or pets. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabrics can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
If your sofa smells like an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it's important to get the problem addressed immediately. You can use the tips listed above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the issue. Prevention is the best way to go, though, so be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!
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When shopping for a new leather sofa, there are a few things you should be looking for. However, the best way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. This aroma can dull with age however there should be no mistaking it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Bonded and faux leathers on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a significant impact on its lifespan, but this isn't always evident. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the type of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly option, while engineered or particle board frames are less sturdy. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you are on a tight budget but still want a genuine leather sofa that you are awestruck with. sofasandcouches & 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 suit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It has a classic look and is available in a broad variety of fabrics that are stain-resistant. However, this sofa requires assembly at home and its back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are an exception to other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly robust and withstand wear and tear far more than fabric, making them last for many years to be. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require more frequent care and cleaning. However, just like anything else in life, there are a few issues to be aware of when buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for prior to making your final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of leather or fabric then you must first verify the tag of materials that is that is attached to the frame. This will inform you the exact type of material it is. If you are unable to find any information about the couch's material composition, you can use your senses to help you make an informed decision.
A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and observe the texture, shading and patterns in detail. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be consistent. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Take a 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's not genuine leather. The reason for this is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut so large. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you are able raise one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is coated with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and rough when touched.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch is a classic and for good reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living room. Plus the modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to withstand cracks and sagging. Because each hide has its own unique markings, grain, and blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to determine whether you're buying authentic leather is to get up close and personal with it. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is uniform and there aren't obvious flaws, it's probably fake or the leather is bonded.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed with materials that closely resemble the fabric used in making furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that has been constructed with care to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a continuous piece of fabric, it's likely a lower-quality faux or leather couch that has been bonded.
If you've concluded that the couch is authentic leather, the next step is to match it with the rest of your living room furniture. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your room. Or, you can opt for a comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and an occasional table.
Remember to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area to ensure it doesn't fade or leave scratches due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protector every once or twice per year.