Why No One Cares About Real Leather Couch

How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It is often difficult to determine if are buying genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and then turn over a couch to look at the fabric.

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

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should smell rich, natural and luxurious. False leather on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture, making it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant to smells.

Baking soda is a fantastic 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 wipe your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it over again.

Airing out your leather is another method to remove the smell. If possible, set the couch outside in a sunny spot to air it out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and also give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, purchase a leather couches clearance conditioner with healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing odors and keep it smelling good for longer.

While the smell of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially in homes with children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.

If your couch smells like an odor of a dog that has peed on it It's crucial to address the issue immediately. You can try a few of the tips above, or use a specific product like Leather Honey to treat the issue. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

There are some clues to look for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine if it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes however, it should be evident when the sofa is new.

A genuine leather couch should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this test, gently press your fingers onto the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux leather couch-leather.

Another dead giveaway is if you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.

The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a significant impact on its lifespan but this isn't always immediately apparent. To ensure that you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less sturdy. For extra durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln dried to prevent warping and mildew.

If you're shopping on a budget There are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless enjoy. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's often offered for sale and is easily customized to match your home.

The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic look and is available in a wide selection of fabrics that are fade-resistant. This sofa is quite difficult to set up at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Genuine leather couches have a certain appeal that other types of furniture can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear much better than fabrics, which makes them last for many years to be. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. Leather couches are no different. Like every other purchase, it's essential to be aware of risks before making a final choice.

If you are not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the materials tag attached to the frame. This will tell you the exact type of material it is. However, you must utilize your own senses to make a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa.

The couch's surface must be carefully examined with a keen eye on the texture, shading and patterns. A real leather couch will have natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in its structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth, or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a sure indicator of fake or synthetic leather.

Check the back of the cushion casing. If you see a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it isn't true leather. The reason is because animal hides have a limit on 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 across the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuinely leather and not bonded or faux leather.

If you can, lift up a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is coated with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels sturdy when you contact it.

4. Patterns

A genuine leather sofa is a classic and with good reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living room. Plus, a modern leather sofa tanning process adds a bit of durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Each hide is distinct and has its own distinctive marks, grain and blemishes.

While prices and labels are great pointers but the best way to know whether you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and intimate with it. For a better understanding of the authenticity, look at the surface texture, pattern, and structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible flaws on the surface, then it's likely to be faux or bonding.

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

Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a faux or bonded-leather couch.

Once you've established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other living room furniture. To create a clean, coordinated style, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood and accent it with pillows that echo the colors of your living space. You can also go for more relaxed, energetic layout by putting the sofa between two pieces furniture with a table in between.

Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area so that it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks due to 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.