How to Tell If vegan leather couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying a real leather sofa. You need to get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the backing.
For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE tested had 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 should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad, it could be due to urine from your pet. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it soft, less brittle, and more resistant to smells.
You can also use an organic odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells 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 begins to gather dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it or replace it with a fresh one. Alternatively, you can put the solution in the spray bottle and spray it onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
The process of airing out your leather is another natural way to eliminate odors. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sun-lit area to let it air dry. 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 keeps your leather looking fresh for longer by keeping it from absorbing smells.
The smell of leather can be appealing, but it can be difficult to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be hard to eliminate especially when you have children or pets. Real leather couches do not trap these odors as fabric upholstery can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.
If your couch smells like the scent of a puppy's pee It's crucial to take action immediately. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the problem. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
If you are looking for a new leather sofa, there are a few things to be looking for. However, the most effective way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell it and feel it. Real leather has an unmistakable unique, natural scent. The scent can fade with age, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have the impression of plastic. To test this, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is probably bonded or faux leather.
Another dead giveaway is if you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.
The quality of a frame of a sofa can have a significant effect on its longevity however, it's not always obvious. To ensure you're buying a sofa that will last, inquire about the type of wood is used for the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're 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 are on a budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you are awestruck with. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually available for sale and can be customized to suit 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 fade-resistant fabric. This modular sofa is somewhat difficult to put together at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct appeal that other kinds of furniture can't match. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They will last for many years. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are some dangers when buying a leather sofa - and it pays to be aware of what to look for before making your final choice.
If you're unsure whether your new sofa is genuine leather, the first thing you should look over the material tag on the frame to discover the exact type of fabric or leather it is made of. But, you should make use of your senses to assist you in making the right choice if you don't find any information about the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The most important indicator is to take a closer look at the surface of the couch and look at the texture, shading and patterns in detail. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and won't be completely uniform in its structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like back in place of coarse suede, it's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If it has stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, it's a sign that it's not authentic leather. This is because animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather.
If you are able raise an area and examine the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered in a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another sign that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and rough when it is touched.
4. Patterns
A leather sofa is a classic, and for good reason. The natural, warm appearance and feel can enhance any living room. Additionally the modern tanning process gives it the added durability to withstand cracks and sagging. Each hide is distinct, with its own imperfections, markings, and grain.
The best way to know whether the leather you are buying is genuine is to inspect it in person. To get a better idea of the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface, pattern, and structure. If the structure is uniform and there are no visible flaws, it's most likely faux or the leather is bonded.
A polyurethane back on a sofa is a different indicator. This is a common characteristic of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to create furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign that the leather was constructed with care 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 likely a fake or leather couch that has been bonded.
After you've determined that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other furniture in your living room. To create a clean, coordinated style, pair your couch with other furniture made of wood and line it up with pillows that reflect the colors in your room. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic arrangement by placing your sofa against other furniture pieces and placing a coffee table in between.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming scuffs. If you want to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment use a leather protection agent every other year.