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How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux Due to the misinformation on prices and descriptions of products, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. You must get up close and personal with the couch – smell, feel and turn over a cushion to examine the fabric. For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather while the non-contact areas were made of cotton and polyester coated. 1. Smell A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch has a bad smell, it could be due to pet urine or stains. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not happy with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer, less brittle, and more resistant to odors. Baking soda is a great natural odor remover that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather couch. If the cloth starts to accumulate dirt, you can either wring it out or replace it with a fresh one. You can also spray the solution on your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it again. Airing out your leather is another method to eliminate smells. If you are able, place the couch outside in a sun-lit area to let it air dry. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and give the sofa an aroma that is fresh and natural. If you want to avoid unpleasant smells altogether You can buy a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, stopping it from taking in the smells. The scent of leather may be appealing, but it is difficult to keep. As time passes, it will absorb the odors of smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors are hard to get rid of, especially in homes with 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 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 a few of the tips above, or use a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best way to treat the issue is to avoid the issue, so make sure you train your dog to never pee on your couch. 2. Contact us if you have any questions. There are a few 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. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. This scent may fade as time passes however there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the sofa is brand new. A genuine leather couch is supposed to be warm and soft to touch. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather. If you notice vertical seams stitched on the back of the sofa, it's another dead giveaway. This means that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this. The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a significant impact on its durability however, it's not always obvious. To ensure you're buying 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 are less durable. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln-dried to avoid mildew and warping. If you're shopping for a price that isn't too expensive, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you could nevertheless be captivated by. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a stylish and versatile option that is often available for sale and can be easily personalized to fit your home. The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is a different budget-friendly option. It is a classic design and is available in a wide range of fabrics that are stain-resistant. The sofa requires at-home assembly and its back cushions tend to slide down. 3. Backing Leather sofas are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly durable and resist wear and tear far better than fabric, making them last for many years to be. They also resist staining and spills, and are less likely to attract dust and other allergens which means they don't require the same amount of regular care and cleaning. However, as with anything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa – and it pays to know what to look out for before you make your final choice. If you're unsure whether your new couch is made of fabric or leather, you should first check the materials tag on the frame. This will reveal exactly what kind of material it is. However, you should also utilize your own senses to assist you in making a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa. The sofa's surface must be carefully examined and pay attention to the texture, shading and patterns. A real leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and may not be uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform or if a mesh backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a dead indication of fake or synthetic leather. Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If you see an unstitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, this is an indication that it's not authentic leather. The reason is that animal hides have a limit on their size, and they can only be cut so big. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure that it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather. Finally, if you can attempt to lift 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 is covered in polyurethane, this is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a coarse and rough surface that feels solid when you feel it. 4. Patterns A leather sofa is a timeless design for the reason. The material's warm, natural design and feel can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning methods give it additional durability, meaning that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sagging. Each hide is unique with its own unique markings, grain and blemishes. The best way to know whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to inspect it in person. To get a better idea 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 any obvious flaws, it's probably faux or bonded leather. A polyurethane back on a sofa is a different indicator. This is a common feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture. Take a look at the back of your couch to see whether there are any vertical seams. This is a sign the leather has been constructed with care to last. If there aren't any seams, and the rear appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather sofa. Once you've established that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with your other furniture in your living room. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your room. Or go for a more comfortable, lively layout by placing your couch against other furniture pieces and placing a coffee table in between. Remember to keep your leather sofa in a bright area so that it doesn't fade or leave scratches due to direct sunlight. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by extending its lifespan, consider applying a leather protector every once or twice per year.