A cautionary message from an expert highlights the potential for long-lasting harm to your home resulting from a common heating practice during winter. While it may seem like a logical solution to combat the cold, this habit could inadvertently lead to significant damage over time.
As temperatures drop in winter, staying warm becomes a challenge. Even with the heating system running, keeping a comfortable temperature indoors can be tricky.
However, certain well-intentioned actions, such as cranking up the heat or positioning furniture too close to radiators during colder months, could lead to costly damages. The experts at My Furniture caution against these practices.
The issue arises from the fact that most sofas are not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures, which can result in irreversible harm. Dimitri Pappas, a sofa specialist at My Furniture, elaborated on the risks associated with subjecting furniture to continuous heat.
Pappas stated, “During winter, it’s common for individuals to raise the indoor temperature or move sofas closer to radiators, particularly when spending more time at home, like in January.
“However, people may overlook the fact that constant exposure to heat can dehydrate materials such as leather and polyester, leading to issues like cracking, color fading, and stiffening of fibers. This occurs as warm, dry air draws moisture out of upholstery and other internal components.”
The most vulnerable to such damage are leather sofas, as Pappas highlighted, “Leather is particularly susceptible to stiffening and cracking due to heat, but fabric sofas can also suffer adverse effects.”
“Over time, fibers weaken, cushion foam deteriorates quicker, resulting in sagging seats, and the internal wooden structure may shrink due to repeated exposure to heat.
“This damage progresses slowly, often unnoticed until spring, when the sofa may exhibit flattened cushions, faded colors, and an overall accelerated aging process.”
To mitigate these risks, Pappas recommended maintaining a distance between sofas and radiators and ensuring a consistent warmth level to preserve furniture quality over time.
This advice aligns with Heat and Plumb’s guidance, emphasizing the importance of leaving a clearance of at least 15 to 20cm if furniture needs to be placed in front of a radiator.
The Heat and Plumb team cautioned against positioning furniture directly against radiators, as this not only reduces heating efficiency but also risks furniture