Why Nobody Cares About Real Leather Couch
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It can be difficult to determine if you are purchasing genuine leather sofas because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and examine it carefully. Touch, smell and turn the cushion to see the back.
For instance, a 'leather' couch CHOICE test had contact areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. False leather on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling unpleasant smell, it could be caused by pet urine or stains. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore the leather's moisture levels, making it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against smells.
You can also use an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to gather dirt, you can wring it out or replace it with a new one. You can also put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it off again.
Another natural way to remove odors from your leather is to air it out. If possible, set the couch 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 odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher for longer, keeping it from taking in smells.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing but it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, leather may absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate, especially when you have children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches don't hold the odors as fabric upholstery, making them an ideal choice for households with active families.
It's important to take action immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy pee. Try some of the suggestions above, or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the issue. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa, there are a few things you should be aware of. However, the best way to tell whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade with age, but it is impossible to miss it when a sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers that are faux or bonded however, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
Another indicator is if you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't a single piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame of a leather couch can have a significant impact on its lifespan however it's often not obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select a sofa with longevity for a long time. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. To ensure durability, wood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you are on a budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you love. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's often available for sale and can be easily customized to match your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are resistant to fade. However, this sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches are different from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and resist wear and tear far better than fabrics, which makes them last for a long time to be. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. Leather couches are no different. Like any other purchase, it's crucial to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final choice.
If you are not sure if your new couch is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the materials tag attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of material it is. If you cannot discover any information about the couch's materials or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make an informed decision.
A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and observe the texture, shading and patterns in depth. A real leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and won't be completely uniform in its structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a sure indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it is not genuine leather. The reason for this is because animal hides are limited in their size, and they can only be cut as large. To ensure the best quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will sew and stitch across the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you are able to lift an area and examine the padding on the back. If vegan leather sofa of the cushion is covered in a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a coarse and rough coating that feels solid when you touch it.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless classic with the reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel of the material can enhance any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Each hide is distinct, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to tell whether the leather you are purchasing is genuine is to look at it up close. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it is likely to be fake or bonding.
A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a standard feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.
Also, look at the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. If there are no seams and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather couch.
Once you've determined that a couch is genuine leather, the next step is to pair it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that match the colors of your room. You can also choose a more dynamic, relaxed layout by placing the couch between two pieces furniture, with a coffee table in between.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protector every once or twice per year.