Why Nobody Cares About Real Leather Couch How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You must get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and turn over a couch to look at the fabric.

For instance, a 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with contact areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather 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 sofa smells unpleasant, it could be due to stains or urine from pets. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.

You can also use an organic odor remover such as baking soda to eliminate unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather couch. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, squeeze it out or switch to another. Alternately, you can pour the solution in spray bottles and spray it over your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.

Airing your leather out is another way to remove the smell. Place the sofa in a bright space to let it air out. This will remove any unwanted smells and give the sofa a natural, fresh scent.

If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors then you should consider buying a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, preventing it from absorbing odors.

While the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it can be difficult to maintain. Over sofasandcouches.com , leather can absorb odors such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors are hard to eliminate, particularly in homes with pets or children. Fortunately, genuine leather couches don't hold the odors as fabrics can make them a great choice for households with active families.

It is crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy poop. Use the tips given above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the problem. The best solution is to stop the problem from occurring and ensure that you train your dog to never pee on your couch.

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There are a few indicators to look out for when shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's genuine is to feel it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable, distinct natural scent. This scent may fade as you age but there should be no mistaking it when the sofa is new.

A genuine leather sofa should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test it, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.

Another sign of a fake sofa is when you can see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.

The quality of the frame of leather couches can have a significant impact on its longevity however, it's often not obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select an item that has longevity for a long time. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames aren't as sturdy. For extra durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping.

If you are on a tight budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you will love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile option that is often offered for sale and can be customized to fit your home.

Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is classic in design and is available in hundreds of fade-resistant fabric. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of upholstery just can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely robust and 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 allergens and dust and therefore don't require as much regular maintenance and cleaning. But, like everything else in life, there are a few pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather couch and it pays to be aware of what to look for before you make your final choice.

If you're not sure whether your new couch is made of leather or fabric it is best to first look at the materials tag that is attached to the frame. This will inform you the exact type of material it is. But, you should utilize your own senses to make the right choice if you don't find any information about the composition of the material used in the sofa.

A key indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading, and patterns in greater detail. A genuine leather sofa is likely to have imperfections that are natural and may not be uniform in terms of structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears instead of coarse leather, it's a clear indicator of fake or synthetic leather.

Examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on its back, it isn't genuine leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut as big. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and stitch 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 try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and examine the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered in a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane this is another indicator that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should be rough and coarse in surface that feels solid when you touch it.

4. Patterns

A genuine leather sofa is a classic and for good reason. The warm, natural appearance and feel of the leather can add a touch of class to any living space. Plus, a modern tanning process adds a bit of durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Because each hide has its own unique patterns and grain, as well as blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.

While prices and labels are excellent indicators however, the best way to tell if you're buying genuine leather is to get close and close to it. For a better understanding of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure appears to be uniform and there aren't noticeable blemishes, it's likely faux or the leather is bonded.

A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a standard feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make furniture.

Finally, check the back of the couch for two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that's been designed to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.

Once you've determined that a sofa is genuine leather The next step is to match it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, match your couch with other furniture made of wood and accent it with pillows that match the color scheme of your space. You can also opt for a more dynamic, relaxed layout by placing the couch between two pieces of furniture with a coffeetable in between.


Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent once or twice a year.