It can be difficult to tell if you are purchasing genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal to smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the fabric.
For instance, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE tested had contact areas (such as arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery however the non-contact areas were a mixture of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. faux leather couch leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to stains or urine from your pet. In most cases, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather couch and loveseat and make it more supple and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against smells.
You can also use a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather couch. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, you can wring it out or replace with another. You can also put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it over your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping it again.
Airing your leather out is another way to remove odors. Set the couch in a bright area to air out. This will eliminate any unpleasant odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant smells altogether, you can purchase an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This keeps your leather looking fresher longer by stopping it from absorbing the smells.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to maintain. Over time, small leather corner sofa can absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to get rid of particularly if you have children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches aren't able to trap the odors as fabric upholstery can, making them an ideal choice for families with active families.
If your couch smells akin to the scent of a puppy's pee It is important to take action immediately. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product like Leather Honey to solve the problem. The best option is to avoid the issue, so make sure you train your dog to not pee on your couch.
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When shopping for a new leather sofa there are some things to be aware of. However, the best way to tell if it's real is to smell and feel it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. The smell can fade as time passes however, it should be evident when the sofa is fresh.
A genuine leather and fabric sofa couch should be warm and soft to the touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded however are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the surface of the couch and look for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the material is probably bonded or faux 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 cheap leather sofa couches.
The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its durability, but this isn't always evident. To ensure you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used in the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. To increase durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to avoid mildew or warping.
If you're on a budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you are awestruck with. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is classic in design and is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down.3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and withstand wear and tear better than fabric. They will last for a long time. They also resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens and therefore don't require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. As with any other purchase, it's crucial to be aware of dangers before making a final choice.
If you're unsure if your new sofa is genuine leather the first thing you should do is examine the materials tag on the frame to determine the exact type of leather or fabric it's made from. However, you must utilize your own senses to assist you in making a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The couch's surface must be carefully examined with a keen eye on the pattern, texture, and shading. A genuine leather sofa will have natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, it's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it's not real leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and can only be cut as large. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew throughout the back of a couch to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you are able to 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 in polyurethane, this is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and coarse when touched.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless design for the reason. The soft, natural look and feel can elevate any living room. Additionally, a modern tanning process adds a bit of durability to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique with its own unique marks, grain and blemishes.
The best way to tell whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to examine 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 visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonding.
Another dead giveaway is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely like the fabric used to create the furniture.Take a look at the back of your couch to see if there are any vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been made with care to last. If there are no seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather couch.
Once you've established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, match your sofa with other furniture made of wood, and line it with pillows that reflect the colors of your living space. You can also opt for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by placing your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and an occasional table.
Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to avoid it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to protect your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protector every once or twice per year.