Do you feel frustrated every time you look at your scratched or torn leather sofa? That’s what some of my friends felt until I shared with them amazing techniques on how to repair leather sofa in 24 hours. As we all know, leather is expensive and no one wants to get rid of their leather sofa just because of some simple stains or marks.
For more serious damage such as tears and deep cuts, it is still possible to patch them up by using a leather couch repair kit and a little guidance. Just make sure the repair kit is packed with the necessary materials and tools. These usually include a replacement sofa patch, glue, leather filler, leather color restorer bottle, dauber brush among other tools. All this will definitely equip you when it comes to repairing your leather sofa the right way thus improving the appearance of the damaged leather.
Common Issues for Leather Sofa
As an owner of a leather sofa, I can attest that there are many common issues that will come about when owning a leather sofa. Truth be told, some of the issues will occur naturally over time while others will be due to accidents. Keep this in mind, you will experience an issue or two and it’s good to be prepared for it when it happens.
So before we move on, which are the common leather sofa problems am I talking about?
Leather Fading
It’s quite common to notice your leather sofa starting to fade and although it’s bound to happen over time, there are some factors that speed that process. One of them is natural hair and body oils from sitting on the sofa which wears away the dye color. Dust and dirt are also other factors that contribute to the leather fading; therefore, it’s important you clean your leather sofa regularly with the appropriate leather protection and cleaning products.
Furthermore, direct sunlight is another vital factor that contributes to the fading of leather sofas. That’s why even if you are keeping your leather sofa next to a window, its best to keep the curtains closed on a hot sunny day. Another way to slow down the fading process is to keep rotating the leather cushions to avoid one side being exposed to heat and light.
Leather Stains
As I mentioned before, some common leather issues are caused by accidents. One of them may be accidentally knocking your drink and spilling it on the sofa or it may be an ink stain from a leaky pen. For the ladies, you might paint your nails on the leather sofa thus staining it with the nail polish. Finally, leather paint is another stain that can get on your leather sofa which can also cause discoloration if not removed over time.
Peeling of the Leather
Though high-quality leather doesn’t peel easily especially if cared for properly, lower quality leather such as bonded leather tends to easily crack and peel off. Peeling is usually caused by friction and rubbing from everyday shuffling on the sofa while trying to get comfortable.
Additionally, using the wrong cleaning products that mostly contain solvents and chemicals can also cause the leather to peel off easily. For instance, it’s not wise to use baby wipes on a leather sofa since the chemicals in them break down and rub the top coat of the sofa leather off. Therefore, even if they are safe for babies just know they aren’t ideal for leather sofas.
Leather Scratches and Tears
Another common issue faced by owners of leather sofas is scratches and tears. Mostly caused by kids or your favorite pets such as dogs and cats, you might feel like getting rid of the leather sofa once this happens. But still don’t be in a rush; although it’s not easy to repair the tears and scratches, it is possible to do it and that’s why we are going to look at the steps to take to repair the sofa in a minute.
Step by Step Guide on How to Repair Leather Sofa
When it comes to the step by step guide on how to repair leather sofa, it all depends on which kind of issue you are facing. From small scratches, tears, to deep cut you should be keen on which process to use to get the best results. Therefore, with no further ado, let us look at the different ways to repair your leather sofa.
How to Repair a Scratch on a Leather Sofa
“Rub Olive Oil, Baby Oil or Saddle Oil into the Scratched Area”
The first step of repairing a small scratch should be to rub olive oil, baby oil or saddle oil. You can achieve this by using a cotton swab applicator such as a cotton ball and apply directly to the scratched area.
Rub gently into the area in a circular motion and then wait for the oil to dry for an hour or so then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Keep this in mind, if after the first application of oil the scratch has not repaired itself then apply more oil and give it some more hours to dry. Note that, you need to first test the oil on a rarely seen small portion of the leather to avoid causing any darkening stain.
Apply Lanolin Cream to the Scratch
If the scratch on the leather sofa is still visible, the other step to take is applying lanolin cream on it. Just take a clean cloth or a cotton rag and dip it into the lanolin cream and start applying it on the scratched area. Make sure you apply perpendicular to the direction of the cut to enable the cream to smoothen and repair the scratch. Remember this; you may need to reapply the cream several times before the scratch becomes invisible.
Use a Blow dryer and a Damp Cloth to Bring out the Leather Oil
Yes, it’s true that heat can be bad for any leather however, if used for a small period of time it will not be harmful to a leather sofa. But wait a minute, before we proceed its critical to be aware of your leather type to avoid damaging your sofa. Therefore, make sure your sofa is aniline leather type or bi-cast leather which is only suitable for this kind of process.
Therefore, when using a blow dryer, first place a damp cloth on the scratched area, then turn the blow dryer to the medium setting before turning it. As you dry out the area, gently massage it and wait for the natural oils and dyes in the leather to come out which eventually leads to the scratch being repaired.
How to Repair Deep Cuts and Tears on Leather Sofa
Clean and Trim the Repaired Area
First and foremost, make sure you clean the torn area with leather cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. Secondly, use some scissors or a scalpel to trim any loose fibers around the worn edges for easy repair.
Cut and Insert the Sub patch
When dealing with a leather couch tear repair or any deep cut, you need to have a sub patch either from a leather repair kit or cut one from an old t-shirt. If the patch is from an old t-shirt ensure it is slightly larger and wider than the tear you are preparing and also round the corners for easier insertion. After you are done, use tweezers to insert the sub patch under the deep cut or tear and then carefully smoothen it.
Glue the Sub Patch to the Leather
Use a large needle or toothpick to apply the leather glue to the underside of the torn leather. Press the leather onto the patch while pulling the tear back to its original shape and then wipe the excess glue with a paper towel.
Weigh the Tear Down to ensure it Dries Properly
Place a heavy book or a block of wood onto the repaired surfaced to ensure firm pressure is obtained. Let the glue dry for a minimum of twenty minutes according to the glue label instructions.
Apply Leather Filler
After the glue dries off, apply the leather filler into the tear to make sure no gap is left. This is done several times until the repaired area is level with the rest of the leather sofa. Afterward, wait patiently for the patched area to dry.
Dye the Repaired Part
When the filler is completely dry, the next step is to dye the repaired part with the same color as the leather sofa. Simply apply a small amount to a sponge and apply several times while giving each coating to dry for several minutes.
Apply Leather Finisher
If the dye on your sofa leather looks too flat and dull, then apply leather finisher over the top and wait until it dries properly.
FAQs
How Do You Restore a Worn Leather Sofa?
There are simple steps to restore a worn leather sofa. These include:
- Wiping the worn leather with warm soapy water to remove any dirt, dust, body oils or other contaminations.
- Rub a layer of leather prep solution all over the worn leather sofa and scrub it with a soft cloth. Note that, this is meant to open the pores of the leather. Give it at least 30 minutes to one hour to dry completely before continuing to the next step.
- After it dries off, apply tiny droplets of the color coat using long even strokes to avoid missing any areas. Do this several times but make sure to let the color dry first for some minutes then when you are done leave the leather sofa for 48 hours to dry completely.
- When the time is over, rub a leather conditioner into the whole leather sofa with a soft cloth making sure you apply into the cracks. Afterward, allow the leather conditioner to dry off for two hours before sitting on the chair.
How Do You Make Old Leather Furniture Look New?
Being a natural fabric, leather still loses its coating and shine after being used for years. Therefore, for an easy way to make the old leather furniture look new, here are some homemade ingredients to use:
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- Two tablespoons of lemon juice
- A brush or old rag
Steps to follow:
- Use a brush or damp rag to properly clean the leather furniture.
- Mix the two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of lemon.
- Dip a clean rag in the mixture and apply a layer all over the leather furniture then give it time to absorb the mixture and also dry for a couple of hours.
- If some parts have not fully absorbed the mixture, repeat the above process again until you get the desired results.
- Finally, buff the leather furniture using the dry parts of the rag.
Note that, if your leather furniture has any stains, scratches or tear you can use leather products to make it look brand new. Here is an amazing video explaining how to take care of all that and you will eventually have your leather furniture looking new in no time.
How Can I Restore the Color to My Leather Sofa?
You can use Leather Recoloring Balm to restore the color of your sofa. These usually include faded areas exposed from direct sunlight or heat, cat scratches or permanent stains. The leather Re-coloring Balm is 100% absorbs into the leather sofa, therefore, ensuring it won’t rub off on clothes when someone sits down.
How Do You Revive Old Leather?
- Clean the leather thoroughly by using a damp a sponge with saddle soap.
- Next, rinse the soap off the leather several times with a clean barely damp cloth until no more soap is left.
- Use a clean dry cloth to rub on the surface of the leather while paying attention to the buttons, creases among other places the moisture may hide.
- Apply a leather dressing containing lanolin over the leather surface using your fingers and then allow it to soak for several hours. Ensure you repeat the process until the leather softens.
- Lastly, give the leather item at least 24 hours to allow it to absorb the dressing fully.
Conclusion
There you have it, the amazing techniques on how to repair a leather sofa. All you need is to follow the instructions keenly and in hours you will have repaired the scratches, tears, and deep cuts. In addition, you will also be able to get rid of the marks and stains on your leather sofa.
That’s good news, right?
So, don’t waste any time feeling frustrated like my friends and take the initiative of handling all these issues today. Remember, it only takes the right materials and tools to get the job done. So, let me ask; are you ready to use the above techniques to repair your leather sofa?