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"The Real Leather Couch Awards: The Best, Worst And Strangest Things We've Ever Seen
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. It is important to get close to the couch and inspect it with care. Smell, touch and flip the cushion to examine the back.

For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered contact areas (such as the armrests and seats) in genuine leather while 'non contact' areas were a mix of cotton and coated polyester.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should smell rich and natural. False leather on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch has a bad smell, it may be due to urine or stains from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather, making it soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to smells.

Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor remover that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a fresh one. Alternately, you can pour the solution in the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it again.

leather sofa with chaise of airing out your leather is another natural way to get rid of the smell. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny area to air it out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.

If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant smells altogether You can buy an oil-based leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from taking in odors and keep it smelling nice for longer.

While the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to maintain. In time, it may absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors can be hard to get rid of especially when you have children or pets. Leather couches don't absorb odors like fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.

It's important to take action immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy urine. Use the tips given above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the issue. The best way to treat the issue is to stop the problem from occurring therefore, make sure to train your dog to never pee on your couch.

2. Feel

When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa there are a few things to be aware of. However, the best way to determine if it's real is to smell it and feel it. Real leather has an unmistakable, distinct natural scent. This scent may fade as time passes but it is impossible to miss it when a sofa is new.

A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded, on the other hand are typically more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.

If you see vertical seams stitched across the back of sofas, this is another sign of a fake. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.

The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a significant effect on its longevity but this isn't always immediately apparent. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select a sofa with an extended lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames are less durable. For extra durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln dried to prevent warping and mildew.

If you're on a budget it is possible to find an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. For example the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently on sale and can be easily customized to fit your home.

leather couch with chaise -friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which is a classic style and is available in hundreds of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa is modular and 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 sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear much more than fabric, making them last for years to come. They also are resistant to staining and spills, and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens which means they don't require as much regular maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't any different. Like every other purchase, it's essential to be aware of the dangers before making a final decision.

If you're not sure if your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the materials tag attached to the frame. This will inform you the exact type of material it is. If you are unable to find any information regarding the sofa's material composition then you can utilize your senses to make a decision.

A good way to tell is to take a close look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in detail. Real leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be uniform. If the couch's surface appears to be smooth and uniform, or shows a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, it's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Another good test is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching pattern on the back, it isn't real leather. This is because animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.

If you are able to, lift up a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to be rough and coarse in coating that feels solid when you contact it.

4. Patterns

A leather couch is a timeless design for reasons. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so that it resists cracking or sagging. Each hide is unique with its own unique marks, grain and blemishes.

The best way to determine whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to examine it in person. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no visible flaws, it's most likely faux or bond leather.

Another sign of a dead sofa is a backing of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create furniture.


Finally, check the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's been constructed 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 determined that a couch is genuine leather The next step is to match it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and add pillows that complement the colors of your space. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch against other furniture pieces and placing an occasional table.

Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area so that it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks from direct sunlight. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.

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