11 "Faux Pas" Which Are Actually Okay To Do With Your Real Leather Couch
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to determine if are purchasing genuine leather sofas due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to check the fabric.
For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the armrests and seats) in genuine leather, whereas the non-contact areas were a mix of cotton and coated polyester.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather, on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling unpleasant smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In most cases, a good cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. leather sofa with chaise will restore the moisture to the leather, making it more soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to odors.
You can also make use of an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to remove 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 pick up dirt, squeeze it out or swap for a new one. Alternatively, you can put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it over your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Another method to eliminate the smells from your leather is to air it out. If you can, place the couch outside in a sun-lit area to let it air out. This will eliminate any unwanted odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from absorbing odors and keep it smelling good for a longer time.
The scent of leather can be appealing, but it is difficult to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors are difficult to eliminate, particularly in homes with children or pets. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't trap the odors as fabric upholstery can and are a good choice for families with active families.
It's important to take action immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy poop. Try some of the suggestions above or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best solution, though, so be sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
When shopping for a new leather sofa There are a few things you should be looking for. The best way to determine if it's real is to smell it and feel it. Real leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. This scent may fade as you age, but it is impossible to miss it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have a plasticky feel. To test, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.
The quality of the frame on a leather couch can have a major impact on its lifespan, but it's often not obvious. To ensure you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. To ensure durability, wood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew.
If you're on a tight budget but still want an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often offered for sale and is easily customized to match your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is classic in design and is available in a wide range of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. This sofa is quite difficult to set up at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can endure wear and tear better than fabrics. They last for a long time. They also resist spills and stains and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens and therefore don't require as much regular care and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. Like any other purchase, it is important to be aware of the pitfalls before making a final decision.
If you're unsure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing to look over the material tag on the frame to find out exactly what type of leather or fabric it is made of. If you can't find any information regarding the couch's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to help you make the 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 will not be uniform. If the surface of a couch appears smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back instead of coarse suede, it's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Another test to take is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If you see a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it isn't authentic leather. The reason is that animal hides are limited in their size, and they can only be cut as large. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you are able to, lift up an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is covered in a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another sign that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and rough when touched.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic and with good reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it additional durability, meaning that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Each hide is distinctive, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to tell whether the leather you are buying is genuine is to inspect it closely. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure appears to be uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably fake or bonded leather.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely resemble the fabric used to create furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been constructed with care to last. If there are no seams and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded-leather couch.
If you've concluded that a sofa is genuine leather The next step is to pair it up with the rest of your furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated style, match your sofa to other wooden furniture and line it with pillows that match the colors in your living space. You can also go for more relaxed, energetic layout by placing the couch in between two pieces of furniture with a table between.
Remember to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate or show scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.