How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a genuine leather couch. You need to get up close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to check the fabric.

For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had 'contact' areas (such as seats and arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were a mixture of cotton and polyester.

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. The faux leather, on the other hand often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your sofa has a bad smell, it could be caused by stains or pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you aren't satisfied with the results of your cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. This will bring back the leather's moisture levels, making it softer and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against smells.

You can also make use of a natural odor eliminator such as baking soda to get rid of unpleasant smells from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to absorb dirt, squeeze it out or replace with another. Alternatively, you can put the solution into spray bottles and spray it over your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it again.

Airing your leather out is another way to eliminate smells. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny spot to air it out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and also give the couch a fresh, natural scent.

If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresher for longer, stopping it from taking in the smells.

The smell of leather can be appealing, but it can be difficult to keep. As time passes, it will absorb odors from cooking, smoking, and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, particularly in homes with children or pets. Real leather couches do not hold in these odors the way fabric upholstery can. This is why they are a great option for families with active children.

It is crucial to act immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy poop. You can use the tips given above or a product like Leather Honey to fix the issue. The best solution is to stop the problem from occurring therefore, make sure to train your dog to never pee on your couch.

2. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

There are some clues to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to determine if it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is recognizable. The scent can fade as you age but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the couch is new.

A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Leathers made of faux and bonded tend to be colder and have a a plasticky feel. To test this test, gently press your fingers to the surface of the couch and check for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, then the material is likely to be fake or bonded leather.