20 Trailblazers Lead The Way In Real Leather Couch How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It can be difficult to determine if you are buying a genuine leather couch due to inaccurate product descriptions and price tags. You must get up close and personal - take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the fabric.

For instance, a sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.


1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa will smell rich and natural. The faux leather, however, often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to pet urine. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather which makes it softer and less brittle, as well as more resistant against odors.

Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor-removing agent that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather couch. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can wring it or replace it with a new one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it again.

Airing your leather out is another natural way to remove the smell. Place the sofa in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the sofa a natural, fresh scent.

If you'd like to stay clear of unpleasant odors You can buy a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher for longer, stopping it from absorption of the smells.

While the scent of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to maintain. Over time, leather can absorb odors like smoke, cooking and even body smell. These odors are difficult to remove, especially if your home has children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.

If your sofa smells like the scent of a puppy's pee, it's important to address the issue immediately. Use the tips listed above or a product like Leather Honey to resolve the issue. Prevention is the best way to go, though, so be sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Feel

There are a few indicators to look out for when you are shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable method to tell whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. This aroma can dull with age, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when a sofa is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers that are faux or bonded on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the material is likely to be faux or bonded leather.

If you see vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather isn't a continuous piece that is typical of genuine leather couches.

The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a major impact on its life span however it's not always clear. To ensure you're getting a sofa that will last, ask what kind of wood is used in the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you are on a tight budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you are awestruck with. For instance the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile option that is often offered for sale and is easily customized to match your home.

Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It is a classic style and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and endure wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They last for a long time. They also tend to resist staining and spills and are less likely to attract allergens and dust, so they don't need more frequent care and cleaning. Leather couches are no different. Like any other purchase, it's important to be aware of risks before making a final decision.

If you are not sure whether your new couch is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the tag of materials that is on the frame. This will reveal the exact type of material it is. However, you must use your own senses to make the right choice if you don't find any information about the materials used to make the sofa.

A good way to tell is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and examine the texture, shading and patterns in depth. A genuine leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and will not be perfectly uniform in terms of structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears instead of coarse leather, it's a dead indicator 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 is not real leather. The reason for this is that animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut so large. To ensure the best quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not bonded or faux leather.

Finally, if you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and rough when the touch is made.

4. Patterns

A leather couch is a timeless classic for a reason. The natural, warm look and feel can elevate any living space. A modern tanning procedure gives it added durability, so that it resists cracking or sliding. Because each hide has distinctive marks, grain, and blemishes, every leather couch is unique.

While prices and labels are excellent indicators but the best way to determine whether you're buying authentic leather is to go up close and close to it. To get a better idea of the authenticity, look at the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure is uniform and there are no visible flaws, it's most likely faux or the leather is bonded.

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

Look at the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. real leather couch is a sign that the leather has been constructed with care to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the couch's back appears like a continuous piece of cloth, it's most likely a fake or bonded leather sofa.

Once you've confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with your other living room furniture. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that complement the colors of your living space. Or, you can opt for a relaxed, dynamic arrangement by placing your sofa in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.

Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to stop it fading or forming scratches. And if you want to protect your investment by prolonging its life, you should consider applying a leather protector every once or twice per year.