You’ve probably heard a lot about leather sofas, be it the good or bad side. We’ve gathered all the common misconceptions of leather sofas and we’re going to debunk each and every one of them. We’ve also compiled a list of what one should expect before purchasing a leather sofa.
Misconceptions:
“Children and pets will damage leather furniture easily” – Being around children and pets, your sofa is more prone to damages such as scratches and stains. Unlike any other upholstery, leather is almost stain-proof. When spills occur, liquids that can cause permanent stains do not get absorbed quickly. It is also easier to repair leather as compared to other upholstery when a scratch or stain occurs. When a scratch occurs, it can be less visible with the help of a leather conditioner. A leather protector also helps to provide a barrier for the sofa to be fully protected against scratches, stains and other types of casualties.
“Leather sofas don't last very long” – This is not true. In fact, genuine leather sofas last longer than any other upholstery, they can last for generations. This is not the same for PVC and PU faux leather. PVC faux leather is artificial leather while faux leather is a manmade material which represents the look and feel of genuine leather. Its polyurethane finish will eventually crack and peel over time which is why they don’t last for a long time. Whereas, full leather sofas made from genuine leather can generally last longer. With the constant use of a leather protector, the sofas would hardly form cracks, lose their original colour and shine.
“Leather furniture requires a lot of care” – Leather sofas only require a light dusting and wipe down weekly. Deep cleaning with a leather conditioner & protector is only needed once every 6 - 12 months. Our Leather Care blog post explains in detail about everything you need to know when it comes to cleaning a leather sofa.
“Leather sofas are expensive” – This is not a surprise. Leather sofas are often pretty pricey but you do get more with what you’re paying for. Leather lasts longer than any other upholstery. This ultimately allows you to save your hard earned cash in the long run as you will only face minimal issues with it as compared to other materials which are prone to damages.
Expect leather to:
Wrinkle over time – This happens as the leather is being squeezed and moved from frequent usage. To avoid wrinkles, remove the cushions to ‘fluff’ them every once in a while. This helps to retain the original shape of the cushion by returning the airflow. If the cushions are not removable, pat the seats regularly.
Fade over time – This is most likely to happen if you allow direct exposure of sunlight to your sofa. It is important for a leather sofa to be away from prolonged exposure to the light and heat of the sun as to ensure that it will maintain its original colour in the long run. Another tip is to use a leather UV protection cream as part of your deep cleaning routine.
Form stretch marks over time – This happens as hide is stretched to accommodate the shape of the sofa.
Be different from one another – Each hide is different from one another which results in different grains. No two pieces are identical.