Chinese leather (room, leather sofa, couches, furniture)

[suzy_q2010]

I recently purchased a leather couch and love seat (divorce sale) for the waiting area in DH's office. They were essentially never used and look showroom new and they are super comfortable. There is nothing on either piece to identify the manufacturer, but the people holding the sale did know it was made in China.

The construction appears to be good, but I am suspicious that the "leather" is bonded leather and I am aware there may be problems with it not holding up well.

The pieces will get heavy use. Is there anything I can do proactively to extend the lifetime of the leather if it is the bonded type? I have not been able to find anything via Google.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by suzy_q2010

Is there anything I can do proactively to extend the lifetime of the leather if it is the bonded type?

Sell it to some other sucker, or don't seat on it.

But on a more serious note-

How to Preserve a Bonded-Leather Sofa | Home Guides | SF Gate

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Lots of leather furniture is made in China, something like 80%. It doesn't mean that it's made from bonded leather.

[K'ledgeBldr]

I would have figured that most of that furniture would be made with imported hides. But a quick check revealed that China is also the world's leading producer of hides; then India, and the USA.


Of course, I'll use the term loosely because there have been several reports over the years that dogs, and other animals, are used for "leather production".

[city living]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

Sell it to some other sucker, or don't seat on it.

But on a more serious note-

How to Preserve a Bonded-Leather Sofa | Home Guides | SF Gate

I did most of the stuff in that link. Didn't work.

The couch only lasted a few years before it started flaking. Maybe two. Or three. Once it starts, it never stops and it looks terrible and gets stuck to everything.

That was a couch purchased out of desperation and lack of funds. I have had a real leather one for maybe five years now.

[cargoman]

I was in the hunt for a good leather couch. I walked into a local store and looked at several couches. The one I bought was not the best looking or most comfortable one compared to some of the Chinese models, but it was made locally which is the reason why I bought it.