The Real Leather Couch Case Study You'll Never Forget
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux It can be difficult to determine if are buying a genuine leather couch because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close to the couch and examine it with care. Touch, smell and turn the cushion to examine the back. For example, a “leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered “contact” areas (such as the armrests and seats) with genuine leather. The non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester coated. 1. Smell A real leather couch should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. The faux leather, however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad it could be due to urine from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to odors. Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor-removing agent that can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to absorb dirt, squeeze it out or swap for another. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again. Airing your leather out is another natural way to get rid of odors. Set the couch in a sunny space to let it air out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural. If modern leather sofa 'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, keeping it from absorption of odors. Although the smell of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to maintain. Over time, leather can absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors are difficult to get rid of especially when you have pets or children. Genuine leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children. If your couch smells like a pee-soaked puppy It is important to address the issue immediately. Try some of the tips above, or use a specific product like Leather Honey to treat the issue. The best option is to stop the problem from occurring, so make sure you 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. The best way to determine if it's real is to smell it and feel it. Leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. leather couch with chaise can fade with age however, it should be clear when the couch is new. A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Bonded and faux leathers on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips to the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather. Another sign of a fake sofa is when you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches. The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a significant effect on its lifespan however, this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used in the making of the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has longevity for a long time. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames aren't as robust. To ensure durability, wood frames should be kiln dried to prevent warping or mildew. If you're on a tight budget there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas you can still enjoy. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and versatile option that is often on sale and can easily be adapted to your home. The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It has a classic style and is available in a broad range of fabrics that are stain-resistant. The sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions have a tendency to slide down. 3. Backing Genuine leather couches offer a unique aesthetic that other forms of upholstery can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. Leather couches are no different. Like every other purchase, it is essential to be aware of dangers before making a final choice. If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the tag of materials that is on the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of material it is. If you are unable to find any information about the couch's materials, you can use your senses to help you make an informed decision. A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and observe the texture, shading and patterns in detail. A genuine leather sofa will have natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in terms of structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface of a couch appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it has a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, it's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather. Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it's not real leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and they are only cut to a certain large. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather. If you are able to, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or cushion and examine the back of the padding. If the back of padding is covered with an unwoven material or polyurethane it is an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should have a rough and coarse coating that feels sturdy when you feel it. 4. Patterns A real leather couch is a classic and with good reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living room. A modern tanning procedure gives it extra durability, so that it resists cracking or sliding. Since each hide comes with distinct patterns and blemishes, grain, and marks, every leather couch is unique. While prices and labels are excellent indicators however, the best way to tell whether you're buying authentic leather is to go up close and personal with it. To better understand the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any obvious blemishes on the surface, then it's likely to be fake or bound. A polyurethane back on a sofa is a different indicator. This is a standard feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed with materials that closely resemble the fabric used in making furniture. Finally, check the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is a sign of a high-quality piece of leather that's been carefully constructed to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a piece of cloth, it's likely a lower-quality faux or bonded leather couch. Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other furniture in your living room. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that complement the colors of your room. Or go for a more relaxed, dynamic layout by placing your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and an occasional table. Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright space to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate or show scuff marks from direct sunlight. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.