How To Explain Real Leather Couch To Your Mom
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 an authentic leather couch. You should be able to walk up to the couch and examine it closely. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion over to check out the backing.
For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were a mixture of cotton and polyester coated.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather, on the other hand typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to stains or pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather and make it more supple and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against smells.
You can also make use of an organic odor remover like baking soda to remove unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, squeeze it out or swap for a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it over again.
The process of airing out your leather is another way to eliminate the smell. Place the sofa in a bright space to let it air out. This will help remove unwanted odors, and provide it with an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresh for longer by preventing it from taking in smells.
Although the smell of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to maintain. Over time, it can absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body odor. These odors are difficult to get rid of particularly if you have children or pets. Leather couches don't absorb odors like fabrics can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
It is crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy poop. You can try a few of the suggestions above, or you can try a specific product like Leather Honey to treat the problem. The best solution is to avoid the issue, so make sure you train your dog to not pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few indicators to look out for when buying a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable, distinct natural scent. This aroma can dull as you age, but there should be no mistaking it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should be warm and soft to touch. Leathers made of faux and bonded are often colder and have a plasticky feel. To test this, gently press your fingertips onto the sofa's surface and check for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be faux leather sofa set or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another indicator. This means that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its longevity however, this isn't always immediately apparent. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the type of wood is used in the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. For added durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln-dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.
If you're for a price that isn't too expensive There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas you can nevertheless fall in love with. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's frequently offered for sale and is easily customized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It has a classic style and is available in a broad selection of fabrics that are stain-resistant. This sofa is a bit difficult to assemble at home and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are different from other types of upholstery. leather sofa restoration sofas are extremely durable and resist wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for a long time to be. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are some issues to be aware of when buying a leather couch and it's important to know what to look out for prior to making your final decision.
If you're unsure if your new couch is made of fabric or leather then you must first verify the materials tag that is attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of fabric it is. If you are unable to find any information regarding the sofa's material composition then you can use your senses to make the decision.
A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading will not be uniform. If the surface is uniform and smooth, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a sure indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Another good test is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it isn't genuine leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and are only cut to a certain large. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather.
If you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the cushion. If the back 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 surface that feels solid when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with a reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Because each hide has its own unique patterns and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to determine whether the leather you're buying is genuine is to inspect it in person. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern for a more detailed look at its authenticity. If the structure appears to be uniform and there aren't noticeable blemishes, it's likely faux or the leather and fabric sofa is bonded.
Another dead giveaway is a backing made of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a typical feature of bonded deep leather couch. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make furniture.
Take a look at the back of your couch to determine whether there are vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather has been made with care to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the couch's back appears like a piece of cloth, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
Once you've determined that the couch is authentic leather the next step is to match it with the rest of your living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the color of your room. You can also opt for a more fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and an occasional table.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area to ensure it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to protect your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protection product every once or twice per year.