shopcrush27

How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa With a soft, buttery leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any space. Customers adore its simple styling and premium, genuine leather upholstery. Untrained eyes might have trouble in discerning the difference between real and fake leather. Here are six helpful ways to tell the difference: 1. The rough edges. 1. Look at the label Real leather is hard to duplicate. It's unique in appearance and feel. It's also robust, easy to clean and doesn't absorb excess body oils, making it a perfect choice for families with allergies. However, not all leather sofas are made equal. In fact, some stores have even been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather. Understanding the different types of leather will help you avoid being scammed. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Don't hesitate to ask discerning retailers for this information. To determine if you've got a genuine leather couch, you must first examine the label. It should clearly indicate what kind of leather it is covered in, as well as any other materials such as cotton or fabric. Reputable suppliers should also have clear policies regarding exchange or return if you are not satisfied with the purchase. If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still confirm its authenticity by looking at the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather to see whether there are any bumps or blemishes. These are indications that the leather is fake or bonded. Another way to check the integrity of a sofa is by feeling its surface using your fingertips. Genuine leather has a soft, smooth texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is coarser and feels more like suede. You should also be in a position to feel the difference between the bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather. A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than its faux counterpart, but it's going to last longer. It could end up becoming an important family heirloom with time. Place your leather sofa in a light, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioners. This will help reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat and Ozone. Creams for protection on leather can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft. 2. Look at the back If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather sofa is, it's important to get close and intimate with it. The smell, texture and the backing will be unmistakable indicators of authenticity. Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you touch it. This is because animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels completely smooth suggests that it may be fake leather. Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of preparing genuine leather involves buffing, which removes some of the rough outer skin. If the material covering your sofa is top grain leather, there'll still be some bumps. You can also test the leather by pressing your finger into it and then running it across it. If the leather is genuine it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and prevents it from becoming dry or cracking in time. Faux leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This can be seen in scratches, creases and scuffs. Genuine leather is soft and a little stiff when it is new. But, it should not crack or dry out when you treat it regularly using a cream for protection against leather. To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of synthetic and real leather to make their products. The contact areas, such as seats and armrests, as well as backs, are constructed of genuine leather, while the non-contact parts, such as outside and base arms are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. Even if the sofa is labeled as genuine leather, it is best to take a close look at the backing to determine if it is genuine leather. Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, you need to be able to get close and intimate with it. Smell it, touch it, and then check its back for a polyurethane backing which is an obvious indicator that it is not genuine leather. 3. Check out the seat The seat of a genuine leather sofa is a further indication of its quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which is the same materials. It has a unique texture and feels soft when touched. Look for bumps under the surface, and a strong natural, fresh scent. These characteristics distinguish real leather from low-grade or artificial fakes. Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you notice this on genuine top-grain leather, it's most likely to be a sign that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided. The price and label may give you an idea, but the only sure method of knowing is to actually touch the furniture. Genuine leather will not be flawless and have a rough feel. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather is soft and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's made of genuine materials. Leather sofas are a staple of interior design, and with good reason. They're stylish durable, long-lasting and durable. It's also easy to wipe clean and resists spills of liquid making it a good option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless style that will never go out of fashion. It's also available in various prices. Consider the Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last a lifetime. This two-seater may be quite expensive but it's constructed with top-grain leather that will last a lifetime. This is a great option for those who have limited space as it comes in three sizes and can fit in most rooms. If you're looking for something bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This mid-century-modern-inspired couch features a sleek, angular design with cylindrical pillows and a sleek frame. While the frame is constructed from plywood, composite and plastic, this sofa features genuine leather only in the seating area, which is a improvement over Ikea's faux-leather couch, which was awarded CHOICE's “Shonky” award in 2015. 4. Look at the smell Genuine leather has a distinctive scent – a natural, organic skin scent that is unable to be replicated. If the sofa you're trying to buy has a strong synthetic scent it's a sign that it isn't genuine. Often this is caused by the chemicals used to process the leather. They remain in the furniture after it has been manufactured and even after you take it home. A great way to determine the quality of a leather sofa is to run your fingers over the surface. Real leather will have lumps and bumps just like the human skin. If it is smooth and cold, it is most likely fake or made of bonded leather. You can also open one of the cushions and look at the backing. False and bonded leather will have some form of polyurethane backing to support the fabric, whereas genuine leather has a natural back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If you spot a woven backing, this is a dead giveaway that the sofa isn't real leather. Peter says that the best method to determine whether a sofa is real is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The scratches on the leather will dull your fingernails and the leather should be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It also feels warm to the touch. Turning the sofa on its back and checking the upholstery will also tell you if it is genuine. Faux and bonded leather will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa while genuine leather is a single, continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch. When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, think about how much use it will receive and how long you want it to last. The more you use your sofa in a given time, the more it'll need to be cared for. american leather sofa suggests a regular, gentle cleaning using a leather conditioner. This will help to keep the leather's softness and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.