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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 genuine leather sofa. You should get close to the couch and inspect it with care. Smell, touch and turn the cushion over to examine the back.
For example, one rustic leather sofa-upholstered couch CHOICE test had contact areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery however the non-contact areas were made up of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather, however, often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch has a bad smell, it may be caused by urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, you can apply 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.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor-removing agent that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can wring it out or replace it with a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping again.
Another natural way to remove odors from your reupholster leather couch is to air it out. If you are able, place the couch outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the couch a natural, fresh scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will stop your leather from absorbing smells and will keep it smelling good for a longer time.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, it can absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, and even body smell. These odors are difficult to get rid of particularly when you have pets or children. Fortunately, real leather couches don't trap the odors as fabrics can make them a great choice for households with active families.
If your couch smells akin to an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it's important to address the issue immediately. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the issue. The best solution is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
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There are a few indicators to look out for when you are shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is not difficult to recognize. This aroma can dull as time passes but there should be no mistaking it when the sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips onto the surface of the couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be fake or bonded leather.
If you notice vertical seams stitched across the back of sofas, this is another indicator. This means the leather isn't a continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame of leather couches can have a significant impact on its longevity, but it's often not obvious. To make sure you're getting a sofa that will last, ask what kind of wood is used to construct the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. For extra durability, a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you can still fall in love with. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often offered for sale and is easily personalized to fit your home.
Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It has a classic design and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires assembly at home and its back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just cannot compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear better than fabrics. They last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are a few pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa - and it's important to know what to look out for before making your final decision.
If you're not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric, you should first check the tag that identifies the material that is attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of fabric it is. However, you should also use your own senses to assist you in making the right choice if you don't find any information on the composition of the material used in the sofa.
A good way to tell is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and look at the texture, shading, and patterns in depth. A genuine leather couch has natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in terms of structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.
Take a look at the back of the cushion casing. If it has stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it's not authentic leather. The reason for this is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and are only cut to a certain big. To ensure the highest quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch across the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.
If you are able to, lift up an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered in an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indication that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine distressed leather couch should feel solid and coarse when the touch is made.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with the reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. In addition, a modern tanning process adds a bit of durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is distinctive and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes.
The best way to know whether the leather you are buying is authentic is to look at it up close. Check the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an in-depth look at its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed with materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. If there are no seams, and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a faux or bonded leather couch.
If you've concluded that a couch is genuine leather the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your living room furniture. Match your couch with wooden furniture, and add pillows that complement the colors of your room. You can also choose an energizing, relaxing arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces furniture with a table between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to avoid it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to protect your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent once or twice a year.