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How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux It can be difficult to tell if you are buying genuine leather couches due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal to smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the back. For instance, a sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester. 1. Smell A genuine leather sofa will be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it could be due to urine or stains from pets. In most cases, a thorough clean will eliminate any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will bring back moisture to the leather which makes it softer, less fragile, and more resistant against smells. You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, wring it out or swap for a new one. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it over again. Airing out your leather is another way to eliminate the smell. If possible, set the sofa outside in a sunny spot to air it out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and also give the couch a natural, fresh scent. If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher longer by stopping it from taking in odors. The scent of leather may be appealing, but it can be difficult to keep. As time passes, leather will absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors are hard to eliminate, particularly in homes with children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches don't hold these odors like fabric upholstery and are a good option for families with active families. If your couch smells akin to the scent of a puppy's pee, it's important to address the issue immediately. Try some of the suggestions above, or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to treat the issue. Prevention is the best option however, so make sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch! 2. Feel There are some clues to look for when buying a leather sofa, but the most reliable method to determine whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct, distinct natural scent. The smell fades with age, but it should be evident when the couch is new. A genuine leather sofa must feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have an unpleasant plastic feel. To test it, gently press your fingers against the surface of a couch and look for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely faux-leather or bonded. Another dead giveaway is if you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches. The quality of the frame of the leather sofa can have a major impact on its longevity however, it's not always obvious. To ensure you're buying a sofa which will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used for the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames aren't as robust. For added durability, a frame made of hardwood must also be dried to prevent warping and mildew. If you're shopping on a budget there are plenty of low-cost genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless fall in love with. For instance, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile choice that's frequently available for sale and can be easily customized to match your home. Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa, which has a classic design and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions have a tendency to slide down. 3. Backing Genuine leather couches offer a unique appeal that other types of furniture can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear far more than fabric, making them last for a long time to be. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are some pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa – and it is important to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final decision. If you're unsure whether your new sofa is made of fabric or leather then you must first verify the materials tag on the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of fabric it is. If you can't discover any information about the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to help you make the decision. The surface of the sofa should be examined closely and pay attention to the patterns, shading and texture. A genuine leather sofa will have natural imperfections and may not be uniform in its structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear indication of fake or synthetic leather. Another way to test this is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it isn't real leather. l shaped leather couch is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut so large. To ensure the best quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather. Finally, if you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of the cushion is coated with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another sign that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and rough when touched. 4. Patterns A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The natural, warm feel and look of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it extra durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. And because each hide has its own unique marks and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind. The best way to determine if the leather you are buying is genuine is to examine it closely. Check the texture, structure and pattern for a more detailed view of its authenticity. If the structure is completely uniform and there are no obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bonded leather. A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed by 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 high-quality piece of leather that has been designed 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 fake or bonded-leather sofa. If you've decided that the couch is authentic leather The next step is to match it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, pair your sofa with other furniture made of wood and line it with pillows that reflect the colors of your space. You can also go for an energizing, relaxing layout by placing the couch between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between. Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't fade or leave scratches from direct sunlight. And if you want to safeguard your investment by extending its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection product every once or twice per year.