leather sofa next to radiator, is this very bad? can anything be done?

me1000uk

Hi,


I'm a little unsure what to do, but there are so many experts here on all sorts of things, that it's certainly worth asking.

I have recently bought a 3 piece leather suite for the living room, and no matter which way i try, one of the pieces will have it's back to a radiator.

IS this a really bad thing for the sofa? will it damage it, or can i ignore it as it's just the back.

If the answer is yes it is really bad, is there anything I can buy to put on it, or to cover the radiator discreetly (or any such tip) as it is a central heating system where it WILL be on in winter.

Any comments/insight from people with experience with leather sofas would be brilliant.

thanks in advance.

alared

On the instructions for a leather sofa in quoted at least eight inches away from a radiator.

Stargazer_Lily

Could you turn the radiator off?

Lil

Dennis99

It will dry the leather out, get something like this to clean and more importantly protect it and help slow moisture loss.

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/LC_Special_Offer.htm

missile

It is not good, but in a small room you sometimes have little option. As long as it is not touching and radiator is not too hot, it should be OK. It is not so dire as being close to a radiant source of heat like a fire.

Regular feeding with a good quality leather treatment, will help.

me1000uk

thanks for the responses guys, I really appreciate it.

Its not really an option to turn it off otherwise the living room will get pretty cold.

So naturally I gather it is not the best thing for a leather sofa.

What is the worst case scenario for the sofa with the radiator on hot?? (it's about 15-20 cm from the radiator).

Is it a case of some deteriation on the back, or would it spread to the front? (they are recliner sofas).

Will try to invest in some care products, but it would be great to have a rough idea on how bad it can be. If it's a case of something unsightly on the back then I can live with that, but if it's going to be worse, then it's worth knowing.

I realise that it wouldn't be a definite answer, but an informed guess will do me (sorry about my ignorance).

thanks again.

maninthestreet

You could use blu-tack to stick some foil lined bubble-wrap to the back of the chair/sofa, to reflect the heat.

kymrob

i have had leather sofa infront of a 5-6 ft long radiator for last 8 years! we do move it forward a little when radiator is on, but the back of sofa is fine i use a cleaner every 3 months so it keeps sofa in good condition. sofa fine we have no choice as we have small lounge!

LandyAndy

I've had a leather sofa backed against a rad (within an inch) for about nine years. No ill effects at all.

loracan1

I'll raise that to 13/14 years for a not particularly expensive leather sofa backed onto and for the most part touching a radiator, furthest away it's ever been is a couple of inches with no apparent ill effects.