10 Basics About Real Leather Couch You Didn't Learn At School

How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying a real leather couch. It is important to get close and personal to smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to examine the back. For instance, a 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with contact areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made of cotton and polyester. 1. Smell A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather, on the other hand, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch has a bad smell, it could be due to 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, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells. Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor remover that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the mixture dry before wiping again. Airing your leather out is another way to remove smells. Place the sofa in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the sofa a fresh, natural scent. If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors completely then you should consider buying an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher longer by keeping it from taking in smells. While the scent of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to keep clean. As time passes, it will absorb the odors of cooking, smoking, and even body odor. These odors can be hard to eliminate, especially if you have children or pets. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children. If your couch smells like the scent of a puppy's pee, it's important to get the problem addressed immediately. You can try some of the suggestions above or use a specific product like Leather Honey to address the issue. The best solution is to stop the problem from occurring and ensure that you teach your dog not to pee on your couch. 2. Feel free to contact us with any questions. When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa there are a few things to look out for. But the best way to tell if it's real is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is unmistakable. The scent can fade as you age, but it is impossible to miss it when a sofa is new. A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to the touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this test, gently press your fingers onto the surface of the couch and check for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather. Another dead giveaway is if you see stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. leather sofa with chaise indicates that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this. The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan but this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames aren't as sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to avoid mildew or warping. If you're on a budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you love. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's often on sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home. Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa requires at-home assembly and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down. 3. Backing Genuine leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabric. They will last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are a few dangers when purchasing a leather couch – and it pays to be aware of what to look for before making your final decision. If you're unsure whether your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the tag that identifies the material attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of material it is. If you are unable to find any information about the couch's material composition, you can utilize your senses to make an informed decision. The sofa's surface must be carefully examined, paying attention to the texture, shading and patterns. Genuine leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be consistent. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of coarse leather, it's a clear indication 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, it's an indication that it's not true leather. This is because animal hides are restricted in size and can be cut only to a certain extent. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a couch to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or faux leather. If you are able to attempt to lift a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the padding. If the back of the cushion is covered in an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another sign that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and coarse when it is touched. 4. Patterns A leather couch is a timeless classic with the reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel can enhance any living space. In addition, a modern tanning process gives it the added durability to resist cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes. The best way to determine whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to look at it in person. Examine the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an even more precise glimpse of its genuine. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it's likely to be fake or bonded. A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture. Look at the back of your sofa to see if there are any vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that's been carefully constructed to last. If there are no seams, and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch. If you've concluded that the couch is authentic leather the next step is to pair it up with the rest of the furniture in your living space. For a sleek, unified style, pair your couch with other wooden furniture and line it with pillows that match the color scheme of your room. You can also opt for a more dynamic, relaxed layout by putting the sofa 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 forming scratches. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent once or twice a year.