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How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
It is often difficult to tell if you are purchasing genuine leather couches because of misleading product descriptions and price tags. You need to get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the fabric.
For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE test had contact areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather couch should smell rich, natural and luxurious. The faux leather on the other hand is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it may be due to urine or stains from pets. In most instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather couches clearance 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 great natural odor eliminator that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the leather couch. If the cloth starts to pick up dirt, wring it out or replace with another. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping again.
Another method to eliminate odors from your leather is to air it out. Place the sofa in a bright area to let it air. This will eliminate any unpleasant odors and give it a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner with healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher for longer, keeping it from absorbing odors.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to keep clean. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors are hard to remove, especially when your home is occupied by pets or children. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.
If your couch smells akin to an odor of a dog that has peed on it, it's important to address the issue immediately. You can try some of the suggestions above, or you can try a specific product like Leather Honey to address the issue. The best way to treat the issue is to prevent the problem, so make sure you train your dog to never pee on your couch.
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There are some clues to look for when buying a leather sofa, however the most reliable method to tell whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Leather has a distinct distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade with age, but it should be evident when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa should feel soft leather sofa to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have an unpleasant plastic feel. To test it, gently press your fingers to the couch's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be faux or bonded leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa, it's another sign of a fake. This means the leather isn't one continuous piece, which is a characteristic of genuine leather couches.
The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its durability, but this isn't always evident. To ensure that you're getting a sofa that will last, inquire about the kind of wood is used to construct the frame. A solid oak frame will be the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames aren't as robust. To improve durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to avoid mildew or warping.
If you're on a tight budget but still want an authentic leather sofa you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and flexible option that is often on sale and can easily be customized to suit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It has a classic design and is available in hundreds of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa is modular and somewhat difficult to put together at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Real leather couches have a certain aesthetic that other forms of upholstery can't match. Leather sofas are incredibly robust and withstand wear and tear far more than fabric, making them last for a long time to come. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are a few pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather couch and it is important to be aware of what to look for before you make your final decision.
If you're not sure if your new couch is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the materials tag on the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of material it is. But, you should utilize your own senses to assist you in making an informed decision if you are unable to find any information on the material composition of the sofa.
The couch's surface should be examined closely and pay attention to the patterns, shading and texture. A real leather couch has natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in its structure patterns, shading, or pattern. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a dead indication of fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on the back, it's not real leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain extent. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.
If you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or cushion and inspect the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another sign that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine small leather corner sofa is supposed to be rough and coarse in coating that feels solid when you feel it.
4. Patterns
A real leather couch (visit the up coming post) is a classic and with good reason. The natural, warm feel and look of the material can enhance any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. And because each hide has distinct markings and blemishes, grain, and marks each leather couch is unique.
While labels and prices are great pointers however, the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to go close and close to it. For a better understanding of authenticity, examine the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure is uniform and there aren't obvious flaws, it's probably fake or bond leather.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is a different indicator. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely like the fabric used to create furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been constructed with attention to last. If there aren't any seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.
After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other furniture for your living space. For a sleek, unified style, pair your couch with other wooden furniture and line it with pillows that reflect the colors in your living space. You can also go for an energizing, relaxing layout by putting the sofa in between two seater leather sofa pieces of furniture with a table in between.
Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit area so that it doesn't fade or develop scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage use a leather protection agent at least once or twice a year.