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 know whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You must get up close and personal to smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the backing.

For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the armrests and seats) in genuine leather, whereas the non-contact areas were made of coated polyester and Cotton.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather however is often chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa has a unpleasant smell, it could be caused by stains or pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not pleased with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather, making it softer, less fragile, and more resistant to odors.

Baking soda is a great natural odor-removing agent that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, wring it out or switch to an alternative. Alternately, you can pour the solution into the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again.

Airing out your leather is another method to remove the smell. Set the couch in a sunny space to let it air out. This will remove any unwanted smells and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your vintage leather couch fresh for longer by keeping it from absorption of odors.

While the scent of natural leather is appealing however, it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, leather can absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to get rid of particularly if you have pets or children. Fortunately, leather couches don't hold the odors as fabric upholstery can, making them an ideal option for families with active families.

If your sofa smells like an odor of a dog that has peed on it It is important to take action immediately. You can use the tips mentioned above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the problem. Prevention is the best solution, though, so be sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Feel

When shopping for a new leather sofa there are a few things to be aware of. However, the best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. The scent can fade with age but there should be no mistaking it when the couch is new.

A genuine L Shaped Leather Couch sofa should feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Bonded and faux leathers however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips onto the sofa's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.

If you notice vertical seams stitched across the back of the sofa, it's another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't a single piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.

The quality of the frame of a leather couch can have a significant impact on its longevity however, it's not always clear. Find out what kind of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you're shopping on a tight budget There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you can still enjoy. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently available for sale and can be easily customized to match your home.

The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It has a classic look and is available in a broad range of fabrics that are stain-resistant. However, this sofa requires assembly at home and the back cushions are prone to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas are different from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They last for a long time. They also resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens and therefore don't require more frequent care and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are issues to be aware of when buying a leather sofa - and it pays to be aware of what to look for before you make your final decision.

If you're unsure if the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing you need to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to find out the exact type of leather or fabric it is made of. However, you must utilize your own senses to help make an informed decision if you are unable to discover any information regarding the material composition of the sofa.

The sofa's surface should be examined closely, paying attention to the patterns, shading and texture. A genuine leather sofa has natural imperfections and may not be uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator of fake or synthetic leather.

Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it's not genuine leather. The reason for this is because animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut as large. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew throughout the back of a sofa to ensure that it is genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.

If you are able to, lift up a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered with a woven fabric or is covered with polyurethane, it is another sign that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a coarse and rough surface that feels solid when you touch it.

4. Patterns

A leather sofa is a timeless classic for the reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Modern tanning methods give it additional durability, meaning that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is distinct and has its own distinctive imperfections, markings, and grain.

While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to get close and personal with it. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an even more precise look at its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it is likely to be fake or bonded.

A polyurethane back on a sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.

Finally, check the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a continuous piece of cloth, it's likely a lower-quality 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 then add pillows that match the color of your space. You can also opt for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by placing your couch against other furniture pieces and placing the addition of a coffee table.

Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.