Here are the 7 DIY methods to repair cat scratches on your leather couch. We have also added tips to prevent this issue in the future.
How to Repair Cat Scratches on a Leather Couch? You can repair cat scratches on a leather couch by checking the damage, cleaning the sofa, using olive oil, heat gun, alcohol, add a leather finish to protect the sofa. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to fix these scratches and you should never apply the shoe polish on a leather sofa.
Cats are the favorite pet of most people to keep at home, however, it is notorious for its claws amongst all pets, even dogs.
Despite being very careful around your leather furniture, it will get scratches or wear and tear with time due to excessive daily use and deterioration of leather over time.
It becomes imminent to get scratches on leather furniture if you have cats or dogs as pets and children at home.
A leather couch in your lounge or living room is the best place for a cat to sit or enjoy its nap time. There are chances to get scratches on the couch to become more prominent. However, if you get scratches on it, no need to panic and relax.
Leather has versatile properties having the ability to bond to itself. There are remedial measures available to fix light scratches.
Even deep scratches are curable, and your couch looks brand new. This article will discuss the different aspects of cat claws’ scratches on a leather couch and its remedial measures.
To cure a deeper cut/scratch on the leather, you should arrange for sandpaper, a leather binder, leather repair, and colorant kits.
This method works with pigmented leather. In the case of aniline type, you may need to replace the whole leather cover.
Clean the scratched area with a leather cleaner to make it free of dust. You can also use alcohol to clean the surface as it dries off quickly.
Carefully trim the pieces of loose fibers with scissors to make them free from any loose material. You should perform with care and try not further damage the leather.
If scissors are not available, you can use smaller grade sandpaper and rub it on the leather surface until it is free from any loose fibers.
The leather filler is a material to fill the cracks or pores in the surface. Apply a thin layer of filler with the help of a sponge and wait for it to dry.
After that, sand the surface to remove any remains of filler. Apply multiple coats of heavy filler to fill all the holes and scratches to get a smooth leather surface.
When the filler dries, use fine sandpaper to smoothen the scratch surface. After sanding, clean the surface with alcohol cleaner to remove any dirt to ensure proper adhesion of colorant in the next step.
The colorant of an appropriate shade matches the scratched surface with the rest of the couch. Apply thin layers of color with a sponge and spread it evenly to cover the filled area.
Apply multiple layers of paint until the repair area blends with the rest of the surface and repair work disappear.
The leather finish will protect and seal the leather color. Apply it with a sponge and gently rub it. Apply 3-4 coats of lacquer to get a durable and glossy surface. This is a must if your sofa is delivered in parts.
Types of Scratches on a leather sofa
You can get two different types of damages to the leather couch by cat scratches. You may classify them as light/ minor scratch and deep scratch based on their intensity/severity level.
Only the upper layer of coating of leather may get claws’ marks in case of a light scratch, and the leather beneath remains intact. You can quickly repair it by polishing its surface, and its color will restore.
If there is a cut in leather smaller than a tennis ball area that leather fibers are visible through it, it requires a leather binder and repairing kit to restore the scratched area.
If a large area of the couch is cut through and internal cushioning foam is visible, you cannot fully restore or repair the surface by yourself, and you may need to hire some expert services.
There are chances that you may not able to mend the leather surface in this case. You need to replace the whole leather cover of your furniture piece.
Use olive oil to repair scratches on the couch
As already discussed, there are different repairing techniques for different types of leather and scratches.
Therefore the first step of the repairing process is to identify the type of leather and severity level of the damage.
You may call the furniture manufacturer’s helpline to seek guidance related to the repairing process or purchase of the repair kit recommended in that furniture piece’s service manual.
After that, there is a specific procedure to follow related to each type. You can also add a desk in the small living room with this furniture.
The raw material for leather is animal skin/hide. It is porous like human skin allowing the liquid to pass through it.
Therefore the application of different viscous oils permits them to pass through these pores and heal the scratches.
Apply the olive oil, baby, or saddle oil with a cotton swab or Q-tip applicator. Rub the oil on the affected and surrounding area in a circular pattern to have a uniform effect.
It gets absorbed in the surface and waits for one or two hours to have enough time for the oil to dry.
If the scratch persists, apply more oil and repeat the procedure. Therefore use this method if the scratch is at some unnoticeable place or backside of the couch.
Use the Lanolin Cream
Lanolin wax is commonly available at homes. You should apply it to the scratched area with the help of a clean cloth or cotton rag. Rub it in the proper direction to smooth the leather surface.
Keep on repeating the procedure until scratch on the surface becomes invisible. Its drawback is that it may darken the leather color at that spot.
Use of Heat Gun to repair leather couch
This method uses the natural oil present in leather to fill the pores and remove the scratch. This method applies only to aniline and bi-cast leather.
Place a piece of clean cloth soaked in water at the scratch and heat it with a hairdryer, heat gun, or iron for 10 to 20 seconds depending upon the source of heat.
Can you Apply Shoe Polish to the Scratched Area?
It is not good to apply the shoe polish on couch leather as it is different from shoe leather.
Therefore it may not absorb in leather and leave heavy stains on the surface. There are chances that it may leave marks on the clothes if anybody sits on that spot on the couch.
Repair cat scratches on faux leather
Faux leather is a synthetic material with a polyurethane coating. It is harder to repair slight/minor scratches on it.
However, by using a leather repairing kit and following the steps mentioned, you can cure the deeper scratches in faux leather by sticking a scrap piece of the faux leather of a size slightly larger than the scratched area.
Never leave them unattended for longer times as it may cause them to widen and make them unserviceable.
Always use the recommended material or manufacturer-provided repairing kit to heal the scratches.
Use oil-based repairing methods at some un-noticeable or hidden areas of your couch to avoid any visible marks.
How to prevent cat scratches on a leather couch?
Cats are very fond of scratching leather furniture because it is an exercise for their claws and muscles. Therefore you can’t stop your pet from scratching.
However, with a few suggestions, you may redirect their attention to other activities and prevent your couch from scratches.
You can buy a scratching post to provide an alternative to your cat. These are available in different designs and materials in the local market.
You may try to make the scratching post more appealing for the cat by placing food items and toys near it so that the cat may become used to it and use it for scratching instead of your couch.
You can spray enzymatic pet odor removers on it to remove the cat’s scent. Place undesirable items like sandpaper, aluminum foil, etc., on the cat’s favorite spot on the couch to stop it from scratching there. You may also surround your couch with some undesirable fragrances/smells for cats.
Always place some fabric or blanket on the couch and train your pet to sit on that. It may prevent leather couches from cat claws.
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