Damaged leather sofa
How Do You Repair Damaged Leather Furniture?
Is your leather couch looking worse for wear? Find out how to restore it to its best with our expert advice.
Cigar Club Chesterfield Sofa in Brompton Brown by American Heritage
How Do You Repair Damaged Leather Furniture?
Some knowledge on how to repair a leather couch can come in handy if you have a busy home and especially with kids and pets. Since leather is the best upholstery for furniture and easiest to clean, there may be times when something sharp or a spill occurs that stains or discolors the surface.
See: How to clean a leather sofa
HOW DO YOU REPAIR A DAMAGED LEATHER SOFA OR COUCH?
The reason you purchased real leather is because it is very tough and difficult to tear or puncture. It can be upsetting
as leather is one of the most expensive upholstery covers used on furniture and if you had to replace it due to damage, it can be costly.
Fortunately, that is very rare, but if a cut or Knick happens, it can be concealed or repaired to make blend or disappear almost completely.
We spoke to Jim Winkler at Leather Shoppes and his advice was, "depending on the leather finish you have this is not a problem".
If you have a Pigmented or Aniline Plus finished leather cuts, rubs and deeper abrasions from a pet or child can be touched up easily. It is best to contact a professional to address this right in the home, companies like Fibrenew , Leather Medic or Guardsman Furniture Repair are a few well-known companies that we use for repairs nationally. Cuts thru the leather can be repaired and made like new.
If you want to tackle this yourself, especially if it is a small area, like a scuff or little scratch, then you can clean the area first with an approved leather cleaner to prep the area. You can then use a Sharpie Marker or shoe polish of similar color to the leather to blend this damage.
It will not ever look as transparent as having it professionally done, but may be the easiest and quickest option.
A cut professionally repaired on site and color matched
If the leather you own is an "Aniline" ( including Pull-up, except Nubuk) then scratches can be concealed easier. A professional will not be needed unless you have a cut all the way through the material, which is super rare.
There is a product for oiled leathers like Pull-Ups or if you have a Waxed aniline then Wax on care kit will be recommended. You can apply to the leather with a cloth and work into it and scratches from finger nails and the like will blend. If the leather is an Aniline but not a pull up, like a pure and full aniline finish then Scratch Away works for blending scuffs and other abrasions .
HOW TO SOFTEN OLD LEATHER?
You can soften old leather by investing in a conditioner specifically formulated for furniture upholstery.
Winkler says, avoid after market products that you can buy from a big box store or for automobiles. These do more damage and will void a warranty on your furniture is used. Clean the sofa with a soft cleaner or a very mild solution of Dawn soap @ diluted with water and a clean white cloth or Neutrogena@ soap if an aniline leather. More on how to clean and condition leather.
Again, always try in a inconspicuous area first, then work in circular motions gently on the surface areas and let air dry. If you have an aniline or if pigmented /finished leather, you can dry with a towel. If an aniline clean with Nutragena@ soap and distilled water so no residue is left and clean the entire cushion area even if it is just a spot so it can dry uniformly and naturally. Apply the conditioner (be careful with anilines) next and let air dry. You can reapply to achieve the desired results.
CAN YOU FIX A LEATHER COUCH THAT IS PEELING?
You can fix a peeling leather couch quite easily.
However, real leather does not peel or flake off. This is instead a clear indication that your couch is made of bonded or some other artificial blended leather which is also known as faux leather.
Picture of a Bonded Leather peeling
You can temporarily improve the look of your faux leather sofa with a filler and color but this will be a short term fix. It is worth considering replacing it with a real leather sofa which, while more expensive, will last a 10x longer.
'Real leather will crack rather than peel'. 'This happens due to the release of moisture, as its natural moisture evaporates ' says Jim Winkler. 'This causes the leather to shrink and stiffen and then become damaged with use.' You can prevent this by using a conditioner which should be applied once or twice a year or more depending on wear or exposure to UV.
HOW DO YOU REPAIR A RIP IN A LEATHER SOFA?
You can repair a rip in a leather sofa with glue, and a leather sub patch, some sandpaper and a sharp knife.
You may also need some filler and a leather dye that matches your sofa. All of these items are available online or from DIY or home stores
If there is a cut through the leather like in a cushion, remove the seat cushion ( if not sewn in place) and glue a piece of leather to the underside of the area cut open. This will reinforce it and allow you to close the gap.
If the damage is severe then DIY repair may not be possible and you should consult a professional. Companies like we referenced earlier above would be the best to contact.
How cost effective using a professional would be is doubtful, especially with a lower budget sofa.
If the furniture has damage badly on a cushion it may opt to get a new cover from the manufacturer if fairly new.
If you have damage from say cats then a professional might be the only option to make this
repair not as noticeable.
Cats damage on out arm of sofa
HOW DO YOU REPAIR A SPLIT SEAM ON A LEATHER COUCH?
When you have a seam open or come unstitched on a leather sofa or chair, in most cases it is best to leave to an upholstery shop.
The leather companies referenced above do this work also, or you can contact a local area shop to blind stitch it in place. Sometimes the item may need to be done in the shop. The technician can use a matching thread or get the thread from the manufacturer who built your furniture. This way it will blend in and not be noticed.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REPAIR A LEATHER SOFA?
The cost to repair can vary widely, and will depend on the extent of the damaged incurred. Small areas can be $100- $150. If more time is involved and materials needed to repair then it can be several hundred to $500.00 to address.
For large repairs you can always consult with a leather repair company that is mobile and get a quote, or they may have you upload your pictures to them for an estimate. Sofas can be re-dyed also if you do not like the color , but this usually is not a permanent solution. It generally will not wear as well as the original dying process when the leather tannery dyed it.
Cost for this can be well over $1500.
How to repair a leather couch – and restore it to its best
(Image credit: DFS)
Knowing how to repair a leather couch is essential if you own one and have a busy family home – and especially pets who might sneak on it occasionally.
Due to its durability and longevity, leather is a firm favorite when it comes to upholstery. Leather also ages beautifully making it the perfect investment piece. A leather couch is always on trend and picking a neutral shade ensures it will always go with your scheme.
However, leather can be prone to damage – including scratches. We've asked the experts and collated their advice to ensure that you know how to keep your couch looking its absolute best.
See: How to clean a leather sofa – so that it looks as good as new
How do you repair a damaged leather couch?
'Although leather is pretty tough, it can of course be cut, torn or punctured.
This can obviously be upsetting as leather is a fairly expensive fabric, and replacing damaged covers might be a significant expense. Fortunately, that is very rarely necessary as cuts and tears can usually be repaired at home with a little care and the right tools.' says John Darling, founder of luxury upholsterers Darlings of Chelsea .
However, before you embark on repair projects, it's important to establish the condition of the leather and the age of the couch. 'Just like tire wear on a vehicle, leather furniture can get worn down and sometimes degraded beyond the point of repair.' says Jesse Johnstone, president of Fibrenew
So can leather upholstery be repaired? Yes, leather upholstery can be repaired. Read on to find out how.
How can I restore my faded leather couch to color?
(Image credit: Darlings of Chelsea)
You can restore your faded leather couch by spot-touching specialist dyes and finishes, that are simply applied with a sponge and allowed to dry – it is very easy to do yourself, plus it's a lot more cost-effective than purchasing a new leather sofa.
Lesandre Holiday, CEO of Rub 'n' Restore says most touch-up projects 'only require a 2 to 8oz color (US$16 to $48) and 2 to 4oz clear finish (US$8 to $14). All genuine leathers are candidates, even lesser quality corrected grain. The exceptions are nubuck and suede.'
However, when it comes to spot-touching, the main challenge is matching the color. Lesandre advises picking a company with a color matching service, and while this does add to the cost, it ensures that your touch-ups will be hardly noticeable.
'We offer a service that requires sending a sample and may cost up to US$60 with an 8oz color minimum.'
How to soften old leather?
You can soften old leather by investing in a specialist conditioner – ideally one that contains lanolin – to keep the material supple.
'To protect your leather, using a specialist conditioner from a quality care kit will help to clean and condition your product, reviving the sheen of the leather and preserving its soft suppleness.
To prevent the leather losing its rich color or from becoming dry, apply this conditioner twice a year,' says Suzy McMahon, buying director Sofology .
There are several DIY methods that include using petroleum jelly or coconut oil, but these have been shown to have mixed results and may stain your couch. It is worth selecting a specific leather conditioner to ensure that the product is compatible with leather couches and will achieve your desired effect.
Can you fix a leather couch that is peeling?
(Image credit: Philip Lauterbach)
You can fix a peeling leather couch quite easily. However, genuine leather does not peel or flaking off. This is instead a clear indication that your couch is made of bonded or blended leather which is also known as faux leather. You can temporarily improve the look of your faux leather sofa with a filler and color but this will be a short term fix. It is worth considering replacing it with a genuine leather sofa which, while more expensive, will last a lot longer.
Genuine leather will crack rather than peel. 'This happens due to the desiccation of the fiber, as its natural oils evaporate,' says Lesandre Holiday. 'This causes the leather to shrink and stiffen and then become damaged with stress and use.' You can prevent this by using a conditioner which should be applied once or twice a year at most.
If it's already too late to prevent cracking, thankfully you can fix a cracked leather couch by using a filler. Rub 'n' Restore's water-based leather filler kit costs from $23 and is simply applied to cracks, then treated with a color to conceal them.
How do you repair a rip in a leather sofa?
(Image credit: Future)
You can repair a rip in a leather couch with super glue, a canvas or leather sub patch, some sandpaper and a sharp knife. You may also need some filler and a leather dye that matches your sofa. All of these items are available online or from DIY or home stores
'The basic process is to clean up the tear by carefully trimming it with a sharp blade, then place the patch underneath the tear and super glue both sides of the torn material to it, placing the edges of the tear together if possible so there is no gap,' says John Darling founder of luxury sofa manufacturer Darlings of Chelsea.
'In many cases, this is sufficient and, with a high-quality patch and good super glue, will hold firmly for the lifetime of the sofa and be almost invisible.'
If the patch or join is still visible, then push heavy leather filler into the gap, building it up into thin layers. You can then color the filler and the patched area to make sure it blends in. 'As always, it is best to test any dye you use on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it matches,' advises John.
If the damage is severe then DIY repair may not be possible and you should consult a professional. 'An expert upholster can remove the ripped panel and replace it with one cut from matched leather,' advises Greg Miller, leather technician from Blenkinsop Leathers Ltd .
'How cost effective using a professional would be is doubtful, especially with a lower budget sofa. The most economic option might be to simply replace it, though of course not the most environmentally-friendly.'
How do you repair a split seam on a leather couch?
When it comes to repairing a split seam on a leather couch, in most cases it is best to leave this to the professionals.
'Leather is thick and can be tough to stitch by hand. It requires special needles, threads, tools, and know-how in order to do it properly, have it match the rest of the couch, and ensure it holds up over time.' says Jesse Johnstone, president of Fibrenew 'Professionals will be able to match the seam to the same pattern as the rest of the couch and make sure that it will hold together.'
How much does it cost to repair a leather couch?
The cost of repairing a leather sofa will depend on the extent of the damage. If you are looking to repair a small area of cracking or a single scratch on a DIY basis then it can cost as little as $20 for a patch repair kit.
Be sure to fully research a product before committing as there are lots of budget options that can cause more damage than good. Magic Mender or Rub 'n' Restore both have lots of advice about finding the best DIY kit as well as offering personalized advice to help you with your specific problem.
See: How to restore wood furniture – an expert guide
For larger repairs, it is worth consulting a professional but this does come at a price.
Larger professional repairs can cost between $500 and $1,200 – and in some cases it will cost less to replace the piece rather than repair so be sure to get a selection of quotes before you decide on whether to repair or replace.
Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature four years ago, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature.
Restoring a leather sofa at home
Leather furniture is practical, beautiful and environmentally friendly.
But, unfortunately, even such a durable material as leather can wear out over time. Whatever the careful handling of the leather surface, scuffs inevitably appear on the furniture, it loses its gloss and visual appeal. Caring for genuine leather furniture is not difficult - there are a huge number of special tools for this. Worse when a hole or tear appears in the skin. But even here you should not despair - everything can be fixed with your own hands using a unique material called "liquid skin". How to restore a leather sofa yourself, we will consider further. nine0003
How to repair a crack or scratch in leather upholstery
Damage such as scratches or cuts caused by sharp objects or pet claws is one of the most common damages to leather furniture. However, they can be repaired at home without constriction. For local repairs, one of the following methods can be used:
- Repair the leather surface with "liquid leather" or other leather repair compounds.
nine0012 - Sew a patch from a spare piece of leather (if available) over the damaged area. If there is no such segment, you can sew an appliqué from other materials.
- Small scratches can be treated with lacquer, but this method is not very durable, as the lacquer will wear off quickly.
Liquid leather and similar leather repair compounds are best purchased from specialized stores or leather upholstery shops. They have the highest quality products and a wide selection of genuine leather repair products. nine0003
How to seal a damaged area
A damaged area (severe cut or hole) is best covered with a piece of leather or appliqué from another material. At the same time, it is best to entrust the sewing of the repair segment to professionals or undertake to sew it on your own only if you have experience and self-confidence, since it is easy to damage the leather sheathing even more.
Therefore, the best option for self-repair is gluing the patch.
To do this, you can use rubber glue, a compound designed for repairing leather shoes, or any universal glue with good elasticity of the formed connecting seam. Before applying glue, both surfaces must be degreased, apply a little glue and then follow the manufacturer's instructions. nine0003
Working with liquid leather is also easy:
- After degreasing and drying the surface, a repair agent is applied to it with a plastic spatula.
- In order for liquid leather to spread evenly and adhere well to the skin, it must be heated for 2-5 seconds with a hot iron through a napkin.
- After the patch has dried and cooled, a skin care product is applied over the repaired area, which is rubbed with a soft cloth. nine0012
This easy way to hide small and deep scratches and cuts on the skin.
Restoring the color of leather upholstery with staining
If your leather sofa or chair has faded color and has abrasions, you can solve this problem by staining.
Today, there are a wide variety of leather dyeing products on the market. Modern products are easy to apply, well absorbed into the skin and form a durable, wear-resistant and non-staining coating. nine0003
A few tips for painting leather furniture
Leather furniture paint is only available in a few shades, so choosing the right shade for upholstery can be quite difficult. If you take the paint of one manufacturer of different shades, then you can achieve the desired result by mixing them.
Before applying paint, the surface must be cleaned first with a damp cloth and then with a cloth lightly dampened with acetone to degrease the leather and remove more stubborn dirt. nine0003
Depending on the form of release, the paint is applied from a spray can or from a tube. In any case, a clean rag or sponge should be on hand to remove smudges and level the paint if the applied layer is too thick.
The second coat of paint is applied only after the previous one has completely dried.
You can speed up the drying process of the paint with a hair dryer.
Now you know how to restore an old leather sofa to its original attractive and presentable appearance on your own. nine0003
How to restore a leather sofa on your own?
But if for some reason your favorite furniture has deteriorated, you should not immediately get rid of it. Restoring minor damage will not take much time and effort.
Contents
- Minor damage and repairs
- Self-painting leather sofa
- Conclusion:
Minor damage and their repair
Minor damage is considered to be various stains, scratches, small cracks.
Let's take a closer look at how to eliminate them:
- Stains of various types: from pens, felt-tip pens, food, juices - can be removed by washing with soapy water or alcohol.
- Oily trace - should be covered with starch for a while. It must be remembered that any chemicals should first be applied to inconspicuous areas of the skin.
If there was no negative reaction, then you can continue to use these tools in prominent areas of the sofa. nine0012
- Scratches and cracks - it is worth trying to paint over or seal with liquid leather. Liquid skin is applied to a previously degreased damaged area. To do this, firmly connect the edges and draw with a brush, distributing the mixture. When the leather is dry, you can use a shoe polish spray. It is sprayed onto the glued area and wiped with a soft cloth.
Self-painting leather sofa
Painting furniture at home on your own is no longer a problem. There are many different aerosols for coloring leather. The process itself may take some time. nine0003
- Prepare area for painting furniture. If it is not possible to do work in the yard, then it is worth preparing the room. To do this, you need to cover the floors with a cloth, move objects to another place or cover with paper. Be sure to open a window for ventilation.
- Assemble all necessary tools. Brushes, sponges, spray gun, paint, thinner and a clean cloth.
- Prepare sofa for painting. Wipe it with a damp cloth or soapy water, for a deeper cleansing, treat the surface with acetone. Protect sofa parts from unwanted staining with masking tape. nine0012
- Prepare work clothes. It may be old unnecessary things. Gauze bandage - for respiratory protection. Gloves and goggles.
- If using a foam sponge, shake the paint and pour it into a container. Apply evenly, treating small areas of the skin. We make sure that there are no smudges of paint. We use a thin brush for coloring in hard-to-reach places.
- If we paint with a spray gun, then we prepare the tool for work - pour the desired paint into its container. We spray at a distance of 20 - 30 cm. Several layers can be applied. Each layer must dry for at least 30 minutes. nine0012
- Let the paint soak in - wait 24 hours until completely dry. After that, you can process the sofa with varnish.
