Watch Out: What Real Leather Couch Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux Due to misleading price tags and product descriptions it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. It is important to get close to the couch and inspect it carefully. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion over to examine the back. For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE test had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of coated polyester and cotton. 1. Smell A genuine leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad it could be due to pet urine. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather which makes it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant to odors. You can also make use of an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to remove unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, wring it out or replace with another. Alternately, you can pour the solution in spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it off again. The process of airing out your leather is another natural way to eliminate odors. If possible, set the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air dry. This will help eliminate unwanted odors and give it a fresh, natural scent. If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors You can buy an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from soaking up odors and keep it smelling good for a longer time. Although the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, it can absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body odor. These odors can be hard to eliminate especially if you have pets or children. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children. It's important to take action immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy pee. You can try a few of the tips above, or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch! 2. Contact us if you have any questions. There are some clues to look out for when buying a leather sofa, however the most reliable method to determine if it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. This scent may fade as time passes however it is impossible to miss it when the sofa is brand new. A genuine leather sofa should be warm and comfortable to touch. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have the impression of plastic. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the couch's surface and check for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather. Another indicator is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches. The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a major effect on its lifespan however, it's often not obvious. To make sure you're getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used in the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less sturdy. To increase Read Alot more , hardwood frames must be kiln dried to avoid mildew or warping. If you're shopping for a price that isn't too expensive There are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless be captivated by. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's often on sale and can be easily customized to fit your home. The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It is a classic design and is available in a broad selection of fabrics that are fade-resistant. This modular sofa is a bit difficult to assemble at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down. 3. Backing Leather sofas are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are a few issues to be aware of when buying a leather sofa – and it's important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final decision. If you're not sure whether your new sofa is genuine leather the first thing you should do is look at the materials tag on the frame to find out the exact type of leather or fabric it's made from. However, you must use your own senses to help make a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the material composition of the sofa. The sofa's surface must be carefully examined with a keen eye on the patterns, shading and texture. Genuine leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be consistent. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a clear indication of fake or synthetic leather. Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it's not genuine leather. This is because animal hides are restricted in size and can be cut only to a certain degree. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather. If you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered in a woven material or polyurethane then this is a sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you touch it. 4. Patterns A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The material's warm, natural design and feel can add a touch of class to any living room. Plus, a modern tanning process provides it with the added strength to resist cracking or sagging. And because each hide has its own unique marks and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind. While labels and prices are excellent indicators but the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to get close and close to it. For a better understanding of the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably fake or bond leather. A polyurethane back on a sofa is a further indicator. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make furniture. Finally, check the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather has been made with care 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. Once you've confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other furniture in your living room. For a crisp, coordinated look, match your sofa to other furniture made of wood, and line it with pillows that match the colors in your room. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by putting your couch across from other pieces with a coffee table in between. Remember to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure that it doesn't fade or develop scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by prolonging its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection product once or twice a year.