How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it’s sometimes difficult to know whether you’re buying a real leather couch. You must get up close and personal to take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the fabric.

For example, one sofa that was ‘leather’ CHOICE was tested with “contact” areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the ‘non-contact’ areas were made of cotton and polyester.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you’re not satisfied with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it softer, less brittle, and more resistant to odors.

You can also use an organic odor remover such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your l shape leather sofa couch. If the cloth begins to accumulate dirt, you can wring it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternatively, you can put the solution into the spray bottle and spray it onto your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it again.

Airing out your leather is another way to get rid of the smell. If possible, set the sofa outside in a sunny area to air it out. This will remove any unwanted odors, and also give the couch a fresh, natural scent.

If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, keeping it from absorbing smells.

While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it isn’t always easy to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors can be hard to eliminate especially if you have pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches aren’t able to trap these odors in the same way that fabrics can and are a good option for families with active families.

If your couch smells like an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it’s important to address the issue immediately. Try some of the tips above, or use a specific product such as l Shaped leather Couch Honey to treat the issue. Prevention is the best option but be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!

2. Contact us if you have any questions.

When you’re looking for a brand new leather sofa there are some things to be aware of. The most effective way to determine if it’s real is to smell it and feel it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. The scent can fade as you age, but it should be evident when the sofa is new.

A genuine luxury leather sofa set couch should be warm and comfortable to touch. Faux and bonded leathers however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this try pressing your fingertips onto the sofa’s surface and feel for bumps. If you can’t feel any bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.

Another indicator is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn’t a single piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.

The quality of a leather sofa’s frame can have a major impact on its longevity, but this isn’t always evident. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you choose a sofa with an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly option, while engineered or particle board frames aren’t as robust. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you are on a tight budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you love. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that’s frequently on sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.

The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a broad selection of fabrics that are fade-resistant. The sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions are prone to slide down.

3. Backing

Genuine leather couches offer a unique appeal that other kinds of upholstery cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. Leather couches aren’t any different. Like every other purchase, it is crucial to be aware of pitfalls before making a final choice.

If you’re unsure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the tag that identifies the material attached to the frame. This will tell you exactly what kind of fabric it is. If you can’t find any information regarding the couch’s material composition then you can utilize your senses to make the decision.

The sofa’s surface must be carefully examined and pay attention to the texture, shading and patterns. Real leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won’t be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it’s a clear giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.

Another way to test this is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it is not real leather. The reason for this is because animal hides are limited in their size, and are only cut to a certain large. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine vintage leather couch, not bonded or faux leather.

If you can raise one corner and look at the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered with a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indicator that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you touch it.

4. Patterns

A leather couch is a timeless classic for the reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it additional durability, meaning that it doesn’t suffer from cracks or sagging. And because each hide has distinctive patterns and blemishes, grain, and marks, every leather couch is unique.

While labels and prices are great pointers, the best way to determine whether you’re buying genuine leather is to get close and personal with it. Check the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an in-depth look at its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it’s probably fake or the leather is bonded.

A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will look more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.

Take a look at the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. This is a sign that the comfy leather couch was constructed with care to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the couch’s back appears like a piece of cloth, it’s likely a lower-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.

Once you’ve confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it’s now time to match it with other furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, match your couch with other furniture made of wood and line it with pillows that reflect the colors of your living space. You can also opt for an energizing, relaxing layout by putting the sofa between two pieces furniture with a table in between.

Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or forming scratches. And if you want to safeguard your investment by prolonging its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection agent every two or three times a year.