Forget Real Leather Couch: 10 Reasons Why You Do Not Need It
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux It is often difficult to determine if are purchasing a genuine leather couch due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. It is important to get close and personal to smell, feel and then turn over a couch to look at the backing. For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery however the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester. 1. Smell A genuine leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. vegan leather couch , however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad, it could be due to urine from pets. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will remove any smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it more soft and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells. You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather couch. If the cloth starts to absorb dirt, you can wring it out or swap for another. Alternately, you can pour the solution into spray bottles and spray it over your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it off again. Airing your leather out is another method to eliminate smells. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny area to air it out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and also give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural. If you want to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from taking in smells and will keep it smelling good for longer. Although the smell of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, leather may absorb odors such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors can be hard to eliminate particularly when you have children or pets. Genuine leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabrics can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children. If your sofa smells like the scent of a puppy's pee, it's important to take action immediately. You can utilize the suggestions given above or a product like Leather Honey to resolve the issue. The best option is to stop the problem from occurring therefore, make sure to train your dog to not pee on your couch. 2. Contact us if you have any questions. There are a few clues to look out for when you are shopping for leather furniture, but the most reliable way to determine if it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is recognizable. The scent can fade as you age however, it should be evident when the couch is fresh. A genuine leather couch should be warm and soft to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to touch. To test this try pressing your fingertips onto the couch's surface and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is 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 single piece that is typical of genuine leather couches. The quality of the frame on a leather couch can have a major impact on its longevity, but it's often not obvious. Find out what kind of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose the right sofa that has a long lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and expensive choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less robust. For added durability, a wooden frame should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping. If you're on a budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you will love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually on sale and can easily be customized to fit your home. The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another option that is budget-friendly. It is a classic design and is available in a wide range of fabrics that are fade-resistant. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down. 3. Backing Leather sofas have a distinct appeal that other kinds of upholstery just cannot 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 dust, allergens or spills. However, as with anything else in life, there are some issues to be aware of when buying a leather couch and it's 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 leather or fabric then you must first verify the tag that identifies the material attached to the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of material it is. If you are unable to find any information about the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make a decision. A key indicator is to take a closer look at the couch's surface and look at the texture, shading and patterns in detail. Genuine leather couches are likely to have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern or shading won't be uniform. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it's a dead giveaway of fake or synthetic leather. Another test to take is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If there is stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, this is a sign that it's not authentic leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are restricted in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather, not bonded or faux leather. If you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the padding is covered with an 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 touched. 4. Patterns A leather couch is a timeless design for the reason. The soft, natural design and feel can add a touch of class to any living room. Modern tanning methods give it additional durability, meaning it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes. While prices and labels are excellent indicators however, the best way to know if you're buying authentic leather is to get up close and personal with it. To get a better idea of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it is likely to be faux or bound. Another dead giveaway is a polyurethane backing on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will appear more natural and will be backed with materials that closely like the fabric used to make furniture. Also, look at the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that's 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 faux or bonded-leather sofa. If you've decided that a couch is genuine leather the next step is to pair it up with the rest of your furniture in your living room. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your living space. You can also go for a more dynamic, relaxed layout by putting the sofa between two pieces furniture, with a coffee table between. Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure that it doesn't fade or develop scuff marks 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 once or twice per year.