How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to the misinformation on price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to know whether you're buying an authentic leather sofa. You must get up close and personal to take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the backing.

For example, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE test had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) covered in genuine leather but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of coated polyester and cotton.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should be a natural and rich scent. read more is, however, often smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad it could be due to urine from your pet. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning can eliminate the smell. If you're not happy with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the 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 remover that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, squeeze it out or replace with an alternative. Alternately, you can pour the solution in spray bottles and spray it on your couch. Leave couches leather to dry before wiping it over again.

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

If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will stop your leather from absorbing odors and keep it smelling good for longer.

While the scent of natural leather is appealing but it can be difficult to keep clean. As time passes, it will absorb smells from smoking, cooking, and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to remove, especially in homes with children or pets. Fortunately, real leather couches don't hold these odors like fabrics can, making them an ideal option for families with active families.

If your sofa smells like the scent of a puppy's pee, it's important to address the issue immediately. Try some of the suggestions above or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best option however, so make sure to teach your dog to not pee on the couch!

2. Contact us if you have any questions.


If you are looking for a new leather sofa there are a few things to be aware of. However, the most effective way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Real leather has an unmistakable distinctive natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes however it is impossible to miss it when the couch is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa should be soft to the touch and warm to the. Faux and bonded leathers are often colder and have the impression of plastic. To test this try pressing your fingertips to the sofa's surface and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it's likely faux-leather or bonded.

If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another indicator. This indicates that the leather isn't one continuous piece that is the hallmark of genuine leather couches.

The quality of a leather sofa's frame can have a significant impact on its durability however, this isn't always immediately apparent. To ensure you're buying a sofa that will last, ask what kind of wood is used in the frame. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly choice, whereas engineered and particle board frames are less sturdy. To improve read more , hardwood frames should be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you're on a budget, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless be captivated by. For example, the Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently offered for sale and is easily customized to match your home.

Another budget-friendly option is La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It is classic in design and is available in hundreds of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas have a certain appeal that other types of furniture can't match. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear much more than fabric, making them last for a long time to be. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are some dangers when purchasing a leather couch - and it's important to know what to look out for prior to making your final decision.

If you're not sure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather, the first thing you should do is look at the materials tag on the frame to find out what kind of leather or fabric it's made of. However, you must make use of your senses to assist you in making the right choice if you don't find any information on the composition of the material used in 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. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, or shading will not be uniform. If the couch's surface appears to be smooth and uniform, or if it shows a mesh-like backing instead of coarse suede, this is a dead giveaway that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Examine the back of the cushion casing. If it has a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it isn't true leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are restricted in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.

If you can lift a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the padding is covered with a woven fabric or is covered in polyurethane this is another sign that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel firm and coarse when it is touched.

4. Patterns

A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and for good reason. The natural, warm look and feel of the material can elevate any living space. Additionally modern tanning techniques adds a bit of durability to withstand sagging or cracking. Each hide is unique and has its own distinctive markings, grain and blemishes.

While labels and prices are great pointers but the best way to tell if you're buying authentic leather is to get up close and close to it. Inspect the texture, structure, and pattern for a more detailed view of its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it is likely to be faux or bound.

Another dead giveaway is a polyurethane backing on the back of the sofa. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will appear more natural and be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making the furniture.

Finally, check 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 has been constructed with care to last. If there are no seams and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.

After you've determined that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to pair it with your other living room furniture. For a sleek, unified style, pair your couch with other wooden furniture and line it up with pillows that match the colors in your living space. Or, you can opt for a relaxed, dynamic layout by putting your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.

Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area so that it doesn't deteriorate or show scratches from direct sunlight. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect it from damage apply a leather protector agent at least once or twice a year.