Be On The Lookout For: How Real Leather Couch Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It

How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a real leather couch. You must get up close and personal to smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to check the backing. For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather, whereas 'non contact' areas were made of cotton and polyester coated. 1. Smell A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to urine from pets. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to smells. You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, squeeze it out or replace with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it again. Airing your leather out is another natural way to get rid of smells. If you are able, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to air it out. This will help remove unwanted odors, and provide it with a fresh, natural scent. If you'd like to avoid unpleasant smells altogether You can buy a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher longer by keeping it from absorption of smells. The scent of leather may be appealing, but it can be difficult to keep. As time passes, leather will absorb odors such as smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially if your home has children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't hold these odors in the same way that fabric upholstery and are a good option for families with active families. It is crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy urine. You can use the tips mentioned above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the problem. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch! 2. Feel free to contact us with any questions. When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa, there are some things to be looking for. The best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Real leather has an unmistakable, distinct natural scent. The smell can fade as time passes, but it should be evident when the couch is fresh. A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Bonded and faux leathers, on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test it, gently press your fingers against the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If there aren't vegan leather sofa on the couch, it's likely to be faux-leather or bonded. Another dead giveaway is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this. The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its durability, but this isn't always evident. To ensure that you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what kind of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. To improve durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to avoid mildew or warping. If you are on a budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you will love. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often on 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 is a classic design and is available in a wide range of fabrics that are resistant to fade. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down. 3. Backing Real leather couches have a certain appeal that other kinds of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabrics. They can last for many years. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are a few pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather couch and it's important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final choice. If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather then you must first verify the tag that identifies the material that is attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of fabric it is. However, you should also use your own senses to help make an informed decision if you are unable to discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa. A key indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and observe the texture, shading, and patterns in detail. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be consistent. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or has a mesh-like backing instead of rough suede, that's a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather. Check the back of the cushion casing. If you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it's not authentic leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather. If you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of the cushion is covered in a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane this is another sign that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and rough when touched. 4. Patterns A leather sofa is a timeless design for reasons. The warm, natural feel and look of the material can enhance any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sagging. Since each hide comes with its own unique marks and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is unique. The best way to determine if the leather you are buying is authentic is to inspect it up close. For a better understanding of the authenticity, look at the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure is completely uniform and there aren't obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bond leather. Another obvious sign is a polyurethane backing on the back of the sofa. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely like the fabric used to make furniture. Check the back of your couch to determine whether there are any vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather has been constructed with attention to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of cloth, it's most likely a lower-quality faux or leather couch that has been bonded. Once you've determined that the couch is authentic leather, the next step is to pair it with the rest of your living room furniture. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that match the color of your space. Or, you can opt for a comfortable, lively arrangement by placing your sofa against other furniture pieces and placing the addition of a coffee table. Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to avoid 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 every other year.