5 Laws That Anyone Working In Genuine Leather Sofa Should Know

How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa This sofa is a great addition to any space. Its leather upholstery is soft and silky. Customers love its simple style, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery. But recognizing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge to the untrained eye. Here are six ways to help you distinguish between the two types: 1. Rough edges. 1. Check the label Genuine leather has a distinctive style and feel that's difficult to duplicate. It's also robust and easy to clean. It also does not absorb body oils, making it a perfect choice for families with allergies. However not all leather sofas are created equal. In fact, some sellers have even been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather. To help you avoid getting scammed, it's essential to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality material of the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask your favorite retailers for this information. To determine if you've got a genuine leather sofa, first glance at the label. It should clearly identify the kind of leather the sofa is covered in, as well as any other materials like cotton or fabric. A reputable supplier will also have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you are not satisfied with the purchase. If the sofa doesn't come with any label however, you can still figure out the authenticity of the sofa by examining the fabric backing or opening a cushion casing to check for synthetic material. 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 is bonded. You can also test the integrity of the sofa by touching the surface. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is more coarse and feels like suede. You should also be in a position to feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather. While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart but it's an investment that will last longer and can be a family heirloom over the years. Place your leather sofa in an airy, cool room, away from heaters, fireplaces, and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat, and the ozone. Creams for protection on leather can be used to keep your leather sofa sturdy and supple. 2. Look to faux leather sofa sofasandcouches If the label doesn't tell you what type of leather is in the sofa, it is important to inspect it up close. The smell, feel and backing will all be a clear indication of authenticity. Genuine leather may not feel smooth when you touch it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. However, a product that feels smooth could be fake leather. Another thing to look for is unevenness or bumps on the surface. The process of preparing genuine leather includes buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. But if the material used to cover your sofa is top-grain leather it will still have some bumps. You can also test leather by pressing your finger into it and then running it across it. If it's real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little, just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracked as time passes. Faux leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes scratches and creases. Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it's new. However, it won't crack or dry out if you condition it regularly by applying a leather protection cream. To cut costs, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather for their products. The 'contact areas', like the seats, arm rests and backs, are constructed from real leather while the non-contact parts, such as the base and the outside arms are upholstered in a less expensive polyurethane or synthetic leather. Even if the couch is labeled as genuine leather, it is best to look closely at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather. Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to truly 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 check its back for a backing of polyurethane which is an obvious indication that it's not genuine leather. 3. Check out the seat A genuine leather sofa's seat is an indicator of its quality. While the majority of faux leather couches utilize a mixture of fabrics for the upholstery authentic leather has a unique texture that is soft to the touch, but isn't completely uniform in color and shade. Be aware of bumps under the surface, and a strong, natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from cheap or fake fakes. If the leather is stitched in a single, large piece, this is another dead giveaway. While this is not unusual when using faux leather, if you observe this on genuine top-grain leather, it's likely to indicate that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided. The price and label may provide an idea, but the only sure way to know is to actually touch the furniture. Genuine leather will not be perfect and not feel uneven. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather is soft and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be a sign of whether it is genuine. Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design and for good reason. They're stylish, durable, and long-lasting. In addition, it's easy to clean and resists liquid spills which makes it a great option for families with pets or children. The best thing about genuine leather it's that it's a timeless style that will never ever go out of fashion and is still available in a variety of prices. If you're looking for a classic leather sofa that will last for a long time, look into the Pottery Barn Turner. While this two-seater model is on the pricier side, it's crafted with quality top-quality leather and features a timeless design that won't date quickly. This is a great choice for those who have limited space, as it comes with three sizes and will fit in the majority of rooms. If you're looking for something little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This mid-century modern-inspired sofa features a sleek, angular design with a round pillow and an elegant frame. The sofa is made from plywood as well as composite and plastic. The leather is only used for the seating area. It's an improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE’s “Shonky Award” in 2015. 4. Check out the smell Genuine leather has a distinctive smell that is a natural organic skin scent that is unable to be duplicated. If the sofa you're looking to purchase has a strong artificial smell it's not authentic. This is usually caused by the chemicals that were used to treat leather. These chemicals can linger on furniture long after it's been manufactured. You can check the quality of leather by moving your fingers across the surface. Real leather will feel rough and have lumps and bumps, just as human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it's probably faux or bonding. Alternately, you can open one of the cushions and look at the back. False and bonded leather may have a polyurethane backing to support the fabric, whereas genuine leather has an untreated back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If the couch has a woven backing it is not real leather. Peter advises that if you are trying to determine if the sofa is authentic the best method is to hold it up against your body and then gently move your fingers across the surface. The roughness of the leather should make your fingernails slightly dull, and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It should also feel warm to the contact. Reversing the sofa to its back and examining the upholstery will determine if it's genuine. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa while genuine leather will be a single, continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch. When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, consider the amount of use it will get and how long you'd like it to last. The more you utilize a sofa, the more it will require to be cared for. Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning using a conditioner for leather. This will help keep the leather's softness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.