How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather sofa. You must get up close and personal to take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to examine the back.

For instance, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE test had 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa will be a natural and rich scent. Faux leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, 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 levels which makes it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant to odors.

You can also make use of an organic odor remover like baking soda to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth starts to absorb dirt, you can wring it out or switch to an alternative. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it off again.

Another way to get rid of the smells from your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a sunny area to air out. This will help remove unwanted odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.

If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher longer by preventing it from taking in smells.

The smell of leather can be appealing, but it is difficult to maintain. Over time, leather can absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to get rid of particularly when you have children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches aren't able to trap the odors as fabrics can and are a good option for families with active families.

It's crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy poop. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product such as Leather Honey to fix the problem. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Feel

There are some clues to look out for when shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Leather has a distinct unique, natural scent. The smell fades as you age, but it should be evident when the couch is new.

A genuine leather sofa should also feel soft to the touch and warm to the. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a the impression of plastic. To test this, gentle press your fingers on the couch's surface and look for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.

Another sign of a fake sofa is when you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.

The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a major impact on its durability, but this isn't always evident. To make sure you're getting a sofa that will last, ask what type of wood is used to construct the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. For added durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln-dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you're shopping on a budget, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless enjoy. 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.

Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is classic in design and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions are prone to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas are an exception to other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear much better than fabrics, which makes them last for years to come. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it is important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final choice.

If you're unsure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather, the first thing you should do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover the exact type of leather or fabric it is made of. If you cannot find any information about the couch's material composition then you can use your senses to help you make a decision.

The most important indicator is to take a close look at the couch's surface and look at the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. Real leather couches will 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 is visible instead of coarse leather, it's a sure giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.

Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If you see an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is a sign that it's not genuine leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's 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 padding is covered in a woven material or polyurethane then this is an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine rustic leather sofa should feel sturdy and coarse when the touch is made.

4. Patterns

A genuine leather sofa is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The soft, natural appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Modern tanning methods give it additional durability, meaning that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sagging. Because each hide has distinctive patterns and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is unique.

While labels and prices are great pointers however, the best way to tell if you're buying authentic leather is to go close and intimate with it. Check the surface texture, structure and pattern for 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 a different indicator. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.

Also, look at the back of the couch for one or two seater leather Sofa stitched vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been made with attention to last. On the other hand, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a continuous piece of fabric, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather couch.

Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other living room furniture. To create a clean, coordinated look, match your couch with other furniture made of wood and line it with pillows that echo the colors of your space. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch across from other pieces with the addition of a coffee table.

Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by prolonging its lifespan, think about applying a leather protection product once or twice a year.