Real Leather Couch: A Simple Definition
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if are purchasing a genuine leather couch because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the backing.
For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The the non-contact areas were made of coated polyester and Cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. The faux leather on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a bad smell, it may be caused by pet urine or stains. In most cases, a good cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to odors.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor eliminator that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, wring it out or switch to another. Alternately, you can pour the solution into spray bottles and spray it over your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it again.
Another way to get rid of odors from your leather is to air it out. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny area to let it air out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and also give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors completely, you can purchase a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresh for longer by keeping it from absorption of smells.
The scent of leather may be appealing, but it can be difficult to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors are hard to get rid of, especially when your home is occupied by children or pets. Fortunately, real leather couches don't trap these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery can make them a great option for families with active families.
It's crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy poop. Use the tips given above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the issue. The best solution is to avoid the issue, so make sure you train your dog to never pee on your couch.
2. Feel
When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa there are a few things to look out for. However, the best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. This aroma can dull as you age however there should be no mistaking it when a sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a a plasticky feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the surface of the couch and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it's likely faux-leather or bonded.
Another sign of a fake sofa is when you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't a single piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on the leather sofa can have a major effect on its longevity however, it's not always clear. Find out what kind of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're on a tight budget there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you can still fall in love with. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often on sale and can be easily personalized 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 selection of fabrics that are fade-resistant. However, this sofa requires assembly at home, and its back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can endure wear and tear better than fabrics. They last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are a few issues to be aware of when buying a leather sofa - and it pays 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 that identifies the material on the frame. This will reveal the exact type of material it is. But, you should make use of your senses to help make a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The most important indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and observe the texture, shading and patterns in detail. A genuine leather sofa has natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in its structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a sure giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it isn't real leather. This is because animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather.
If you can lift an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered in a woven fabric or is covered with polyurethane, it is another sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and coarse when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Plus, a modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to withstand sagging or cracking. And because each hide has distinctive patterns and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to determine whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to inspect it in person. Inspect the texture, structure, and pattern for an even more precise glimpse of its genuine. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a standard feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely resemble the fabric used to create furniture.
Finally, check the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign the leather was constructed with attention to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a continuous piece of cloth, it's likely a fake or leather couch that has been bonded.
Once vegan leather sofa Sofas And Couches 've determined that a couch is genuine leather the next step is to pair it up with the rest of the furniture in your living space. To create a clean, coordinated look, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood, and line it with pillows that reflect the color scheme of your space. You can also choose a more dynamic, relaxed arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate or show scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to protect your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protector every once or twice per year.