10 Meetups On Real Leather Couch You Should Attend
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 genuine leather couch. You need to get up close and personal with the couch - take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the fabric.
For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa will be a natural and rich scent. The faux leather, however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your sofa smells unpleasant it could be due to stains or urine from your pet. In most cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it more soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to smells.
Baking soda is an excellent natural odor remover that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather couch. If the cloth starts to pick up dirt, you can wring it out or swap for an alternative. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it over again.
Airing your leather out is another method to remove smells. Set the couch in a sunny space to let it air out. This will remove any unwanted smells and give the sofa a fresh, natural scent.
If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, stopping it from absorbing odors.
The scent of leather may be appealing, but it can be difficult to maintain. As time passes, it will absorb odors from smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors are difficult to get rid of, especially in homes with children or pets. Fortunately, real leather couches aren't able to trap these odors like fabrics can and are a good option for families with active families.
It's crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked with puppy pee. Try some of the tips above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best option is to avoid the issue, so make sure you teach your dog not to pee on your couch.
2. Feel
There are a few clues to look out for when you are shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable unique, natural scent. The smell fades as you age but it should remain evident when the sofa is new.
A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded are often colder and have the impression of plastic. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the sofa's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
Another dead giveaway is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.
The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan but this isn't always immediately apparent. To ensure you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the type of wood is used to construct the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames are less robust. To ensure durability, wood frames must be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're shopping for a price that isn't too expensive There are a lot of cheap genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless enjoy. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often on sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It is a classic design and is available in a wide selection of fabrics that are resistant to fade. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and stand up to wear and tear better than fabric. They can last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. But, like everything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa - and it's important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final decision.
If you're unsure if the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to determine the exact type of fabric or leather it's made from. If you are unable to find any information about the sofa's material composition then you can use your senses to make a decision.
The most important indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and observe the texture, shading, and patterns in greater detail. Real leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it's a sure indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it is not real leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and are only cut to a certain big. 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 are able to raise a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered by an unwoven material or polyurethane it is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a rough and coarse surface that feels solid when you contact it.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a timeless classic with the reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living room. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Each hide is unique, with its own marks, grain and blemishes.
While labels and prices are excellent indicators, the best way to know if you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and intimate with it. For a better understanding of authenticity, examine the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no visible flaws, it's most likely fake or bonded leather.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.
Check the back of your couch to see whether there are vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather sofa.
After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with your other living room furniture. For a crisp, coordinated style, pair your couch with other furniture made of wood and line it with pillows that match the colors in your space. You can also opt for a more comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch against other furniture pieces and placing an occasional table.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent every other year.