Leather furniture looks rich and beautiful. Such sofas and armchairs speak of respectability and good taste.
A beautiful leather sofa is suitable for classic interiors and office settings.
In addition to visual beauty, leather interior items are wear-resistant, and only one detail can mar the happiness of owning a sofa: a cat can scratch it. “Don’t feed the claw-scratchers bread” - let them sharpen their claws on the furniture. We will tell you in our material how to save a leather sofa from furry pests and scratches.
Cat claw marks on upholstered furniture
Leather upholstery repair kit
Damage to leather upholstery
Is it possible to talk about measures to punish a pet? No. This is not worth doing. The cat will not be able to realize his guilt. The instincts of fluffies are such that their very nature contains the desire to sharpen their claws, marking their territory. The best solution to sharpening your cat's claws is to place a scratching post in your house: this will save the furniture from scratches.
A scratching post with a post for your cat is perfect for her scratching and will leave your furniture intact
Such items are relatively cheap and are sold at any pet store. If you don’t want to buy a scratching post, make one yourself by wrapping hemp thread around a board and attaching the structure to the place where the cat usually sharpens its claws.
Homemade scratching post with shelves
Saving a sofa with oil
Wet the sofa with oil and then polish it well
If the scratching post was not purchased on time, and the pet managed to get to the leather sofa, sharpening its claws on it and leaving scratches, read about how to save the furniture. For restoration work you need to stock up on the following supplies.
- You can wipe a very small damaged area of leather on the surface of the furniture.
- Check carefully for any changes to the upholstery. If no changes are found, wipe the cat's scratches and the areas surrounding them.
- Using a rotating motion, rub the oil into the sofa. You will need to wait half an hour and see what you get.
If the cat scratched the sofa shallowly, the traces of the cat’s crime will disappear after the first manipulation with the oil. But if the traces lie deeper than expected, the steps described above will have to be repeated three to four times.
Sofa seat damaged by scratches before and after repair
A cat scratched a leatherette sofa - what to do?
We have more or less sorted out leather goods. But what if a domestic animal tore off the leatherette upholstery? The general principle of restoring artificial leather products and repairing scratches on natural leather is the same.
First you need to study all the characteristics of the leatherette from which the upholstery is made. It is possible that some materials do not tolerate heat well. Such products are treated with “liquid leather” and left until completely dry.
If a cat scratches a leather sofa, the owner should not be too upset, since restoring the material is not a particular problem. There are many ways to help revive furniture at home. You just need to follow the recipe and stock up on the required materials. Shoe polish, olive oil, rubber glue and other improvised means that can be found in almost every home will come to the rescue.
Another life-saving measure
You can save furniture with olive oil
Buy olive oil and apply it to the scratches. Cover these areas with a cotton cloth and wait until the oil is absorbed. You will need to cover the structure with a cloth and use a lukewarm iron. The device should be kept on the fabric for no more than ten seconds.
There is one caveat to this method of saving a sofa from cat scratches: you can’t just take the iron and place it on the fabric. This will ruin the leather upholstery of your furniture. You should move the device in a circular motion over the fabric until the oil is completely absorbed.
Scratches on leather furniture before and after oil treatment
Save with shoe polish
Minimal color palette for shoe polish
The shoe polish should match the color of the leather sofa. Didn't find the shade you're looking for? Buy similar colors and achieve the desired color by mixing creams. This method only applies to shallow scratches on the sofa. You can take a small amount of shoe polish and apply it to the damage.
There is a wide range of shoe polish colors available from different manufacturers.
If the color of the cream is chosen correctly, you will be able to perfectly disguise scratches on the surface of the sofa. If you are unable to choose the color of the cream, apply it to those areas of furniture with damage that are not very noticeable.
Leather paint in different release forms
Sketched background of the sofa with cream, suitable color
We use rubber-based glue
Rubber glue (rubber) is a solution of rubber in gasoline
Set for repairing leather goods in different colors - liquid leather in jars
Use rubber glue, liquid leather. Rub them into the scratch and let the product dry. When the scratch is sealed, paint over the damaged area on the sofa with a special paint that matches the color of the leather furniture.
Liquid leather is an effective means for restoring leather furniture
Glued and painted over scratch on a green leather sofa
There are many products that can mask scratches on a sofa. Fortunately, people in Russia have a developed imagination. Some use markers, others use nail polish, others use wax and liquid skin.
Filling in small skin defects with a pencil
Leather furniture is elegant and beautiful. It practically never goes out of fashion.
A leather sofa indicates the stability of the family’s financial situation and that the owners have good taste.
Such furniture has only one drawback - it is very easy to scratch. However, getting rid of scratches, unless the skin is completely pierced, will not be a particular problem.
What is needed for repair
Successful repairs largely depend on having the right materials and tools at hand. To eliminate scratches on a leather sofa, you will need: – shoe polish; - olive oil; – cotton swabs; - cotton fabric; - iron; – paint to match the skin color.
Sometimes the sofa comes with a repair kit. It may consist of a piece of leather, glue, paint, etc. Try to save it. From a piece of leather you can determine the type of material and method of coloring. You need a tube of paint so that you can pick up exactly the same one in the store. This will make the process much easier, because the scratch can be simply painted over after reading the instructions on the package. Some leather furniture manufacturers also provide their customers with another service - paint and tools can be purchased from the same company at a big discount.
Liquidation without paint
A scratch can be eliminated with olive oil, but first it makes sense to experiment on a piece of exactly the same leather. Take some olive oil and a cotton swab. Apply oil to the scratch and the area of skin around it. It is best to rub in circular movements. Let the skin dry. An hour will be enough. A shallow scratch will disappear. If this does not happen, it is recommended to repeat the procedure one or two more times.
If the oil doesn't help
If after applying oil the scratch does not go away, try to eliminate it as follows. Lubricate the scratched area again. Take a piece of cotton cloth. Apply it to the scratch and let the moisture absorb. Remove the fabric. Once the skin is dry, the scratch should disappear. If this does not happen, wet the cloth again, place it on the scratch and let the water absorb. Then, without removing the fabric, iron the damaged area with a warm iron. Repeat the procedure if necessary. The iron cannot be kept in one place for a long time. Smoothing for ten seconds is sufficient. This method is based on the property of oil to be better absorbed under the influence of water and heat.
Using shoe polish
Sometimes ordinary shoe polish helps to cope with scratches; fortunately, it is sold in a variety of shades. This method is only suitable for small, shallow scratches. The cream does not eliminate damage, but makes it almost invisible. Take a little cream on a cloth or cotton swab, apply it to the scratched area and rub in thoroughly. Scratches will become invisible to the eye, but only if the color of the cream exactly matches the skin tone. This method usually works if the furniture is black or white.
Leather furniture is not only beautiful, but also always in fashion. Do you want your family and guests to appreciate your taste? Then choose a leather sofa. Leather is a stylish and durable material. Its only drawback is that the skin is easily scratched.
What to do if a cat scratches a leather sofa?
Don't be too upset. If the skin is not torn through, then restoring it is not a problem.
Sofa repair for scratches on the skin
To solve the problem, we need a set of materials and tools:
- Paint that matches your skin color.
- Olive oil.
- Cotton swabs.
- The fabric is cotton.
- Iron.
Perhaps you were lucky and bought a sofa with a small “repair kit”
to it, which includes paint, glue, a small piece of spare leather.
If this is the case, then be sure to save the set; sooner or later you will definitely need it. And even if you have already used paint, do not throw away the tube,
because it is the easiest way to choose the right color and paint composition in the store.
If you bought a sofa in a reputable store and are not in a hurry to remove scratches, then it is best to go there and get a consultation. Perhaps they will offer you the necessary materials and paints that are suitable specifically for your sofa.
In many cases, they will even sell them to you at a discount.
If not, then read on how to deal with the problem on your own.
Before you start restoring your sofa with olive oil,
First, it is useful to conduct an experiment by taking a piece of exactly the same leather.
If we don't have a spare piece, we experiment with areas of the sofa that are not very noticeable.
- Take a cotton swab and dip it in olive oil.
- Apply oil to the scratch and a small area around it.
- Rub in circular movements.
- Let it dry (about an hour).
If the scratch is deep and does not disappear the first time, repeat the procedure several times.
Most scratches will disappear after one “session” of such restoration.
If the oil turns out to be insufficient, don’t despair. We take cotton fabric and an iron.
1) First, simply apply the cloth to the scratch, previously lubricated with oil, as described in the previous paragraph. We wait until the oil is absorbed into the fabric. Remove the fabric.
2) If the scratch remains, take the same cloth, only moistened with water. Place it on the scratch and wait until the water is absorbed. Then iron with a warm iron (not hot!) for ten seconds - enough for the heating to take effect.
If you repeat this procedure 2-3 times, it helps eliminate even the most persistent and deep scratches.
To avoid buying special leather dye, you can often get by with shoe polish.
It is cheaper and comes in a variety of colors. You may even have the right cream at home.
Take a little cream, apply it to a cotton swab or swab, then to the scratched area. A few rubbing movements are enough to hide the scratch.
Unlike previous methods , shoe polish does not remove the scratch, but only masks it. Suitable for small scratches
, works best with white or black leather, when choosing the exact color is not difficult.
No matter how carefully you handle leather furniture, it will often develop scratches during normal use. This is especially true in homes with pets and small children, where leather furniture simply cannot be protected from scratches over time. It may even seem to you that leather furniture is completely damaged, but, nevertheless, there are ways to restore it. Leather is a versatile material with good recovery properties, which makes repairing it a fairly simple task. Even deep scratches on the leather can be repaired or disguised, so that the furniture will look like new.
How to remove cat scratches from a leather sofa?
So, you have seen traces of the pet’s vigorous activity on the eco-leather upholstery. How to fix the problem, how to repair a leather sofa from animal scratches?
As a rule, when selling leather furniture, a small piece of leather is included. Save it, you will need it later. In the meantime, let's look at the simplest ways to restore a sofa.
Olive oil
It is not at all necessary to take expensive varieties that you use for cooking. To restore leather furniture, you can buy the cheapest:
- Apply a little oil to the piece of skin mentioned earlier.
- If the surface of the material has not deteriorated, then you can proceed further.
- Apply a little oil to the scratches themselves and the areas around them.
- Rub the oil into the upholstery with cotton swabs.
- Wait about 40 minutes for the oil to dry and evaluate the quality of the work.
Important! If the scratch is shallow, it will disappear from exposure to oil. For deep scratches you will have to do the same manipulation 2-3 times.
Iron, textiles and oil
This method is suitable for deep damage:
- Apply olive oil to the damaged area.
- Place a piece of cotton cloth on top and wait until the oil is absorbed.
- If the scratch is still noticeable, place a damp cloth over it and iron it with a warm (not hot!) iron.
- The duration of contact between the iron and fabric is no more than 10 seconds.
Important! Do not hold the iron in place, but move it across the surface. Otherwise, you will completely ruin the upholstery. If necessary, repeat again. Moisture and heat promote better oil absorption.
Shoe polish
The hardest thing here is to choose the right shade. There are a variety of cream colors available for sale.
Important! If you can't find the right shade, mix two creams of different shades.
However, this method can be used for small and shallow injuries. Apply a little shoe polish to a piece of cotton wool and rub it into the scratch. If you were able to choose the right shade, the scratch will be camouflaged very well. If you were unable to select the exact shade, use this technique on inconspicuous parts of upholstered furniture.
Important! If an animal has not only ruined the upholstery with its claws, but also marked it, use the effective products from our selection at the same time, so that without a trace.
Rubber glue
The best option to repair a leather sofa from animal scratches is rubber glue.
Important! Make sure it does not contain acetone, as this substance will corrode leather upholstery.
Apply glue to the scratch. Once it is completely dry, apply a color cream in the same shade as the upholstery. Of course, you will have to tinker with the selection of colors.
Nail polish
A scratch on black upholstery can be carefully painted over with nail polish of the same color. In this case, it is important to draw a very thin strip so that the varnish does not stand out too much. Matte varnish works well for matte products. Compared to glossy, it will not be as noticeable.
Marker
What to do if a cat scratches a leather sofa and it needs to be restored quickly? A marker of a suitable shade will help. As they say, “cheap, cheerful and fast.” Choose a shade, draw a scratch with a marker, let it dry for a few minutes, and you're done!
A tried and tested technique used by the main character of the movie “Pretty Woman” to disguise scuffs on her shoes.
Wax
To lubricate mechanical damage on the upholstery of a sofa or chair, regular beeswax or special wax, which is sold in specialized stores, is suitable. Apply heated wax to the problem area and rub the area with a piece of soft flannel.
Important! You can even use a felt-tip pen of the appropriate shade for coloring.
Liquid skin
This composition can be purchased in an online store or in a regular hardware store. If you can’t find a shade in an offline store, order online. Externally, “liquid skin” resembles gouache paint. Apply it with a sponge, periodically pressing the sponge to the surface to create a “natural” texture. The result will be wonderful.
Patches, applications
If the cat scratched your furniture thoroughly, then the above measures may not help. The best option is to have the sofa reupholstered, but this option is quite expensive. The following restoration methods are possible.
Patch
It is suitable for inconspicuous areas (for example, at the bottom of the sofa). But you shouldn’t put a patch on the seat or backrest, as it will be too noticeable.
Experts advise carefully gluing the patch using a special glue, and then using the “liquid skin” composition, as mentioned earlier. This is one of the effective methods to repair scratches on a leather sofa.
Application
This method is suitable for masking damage in visible places. For example, if a pet tears up the armrests, backrest or seat:
- Take pieces of leather of a contrasting shade, cut out geometric shapes from them and place them on both damaged and intact areas.
- It is advisable to place appliqués on the seat and back of the product so that they look natural.
- Glue the applique with special glue, and treat the top with “liquid leather” for strength.
Important! When you finish restoring your furniture, carefully read the reviews on the topics:
Detailed instructions for solving this problem, based on the possible cause, will help you maintain your interior and a good relationship with your furry.
Leather furniture looks not only stylish, but also status. Such interior items emphasize the individuality of the apartment owners, demonstrate the level of wealth and refined taste. In addition, the leather used for upholstery of sofas and armchairs is resistant to damage, practically does not fade or wear out. Upholstered furniture upholstered with it will definitely last longer than models whose upholstery is made of fabric. All the arguments for buying a luxurious leather sofa are obvious. But how can you explain to your four-legged friends that this is not their toy and there is no need to sharpen their claws on an expensive piece of furniture? Someone will say that in this case you should not have animals, another will answer that puppies and kittens need to be raised from childhood, and they will be absolutely right. However , what to do if a cat scratches a leather sofa?
? The main thing is don't panic! The team at the upholstered furniture studio “Vitaliya-furniture” knows how to return your sofa to its original appearance!
Steps
Determining the type of leather and assessing the severity of the scratch
- Determine what type of leather your furniture is upholstered in.
This can be determined by carefully examining the furniture. Since different types of leather require different approaches to repair, it is very important to first determine the type of leather that is used to cover the furniture. Three types of leather are commonly used to make furniture: pigmented leather, aniline leather and polyurethane-coated split leather.
If you notice a scratch on your furniture, call the furniture manufacturer.
Many manufacturers have their own guidelines for repairing their leather products. Sometimes they can even send you a special repair kit for free or at a discount. If you are unable to contact the manufacturer, proceed to the next step.
- The manufacturer's recommended repair procedure may be specifically tailored to the specific type of leather the furniture is made from.
- Assess the severity of the scratch.
Scratches on the surface of leather furniture can be severe to varying degrees. Small scratches are fairly easy to fix, while deep damage is more serious and requires completely different procedures. The severity of the scratch can be determined by a quick visual inspection.
- If the scratch is small, then only the surface coating of the skin will be damaged, and its base itself will remain intact.
- If the leather is cut through, you will see the interior padding of the furniture. In this case, you will not be able to completely restore the surface of the leather on your own, and you will need to turn to professionals for furniture repair.
Deeper scratches are those that damage the inner layer of skin. In this case, along the edges of the scratch you can see a fringe of individual leather fibers.
Repair minor scratches according to the type of leather and available materials
- Rub olive oil, baby oil, or a special oil for leather into the scratch.
To do this, use a cotton swab. After applying the oil directly to the scratch, rub it into the surrounding skin in a circular motion. Then leave the oil to dry for one hour, then wipe it off with a clean cloth.
- If after the first application of oil the scratch does not heal on its own, try using more oil and leaving it for several hours to work.
As always, test the oil in an inconspicuous corner of the furniture first, as it may leave dark marks on the surface of the leather when absorbed.
- Treat the scratch with lanolin.
Take a clean cloth, such as a cotton napkin, and dip it in the lanolin cream. Rub the napkin over the scratch using perpendicular movements relative to its length. This will smooth out and repair the scratch, but you may need to treat the scratch several times before it completely disappears.
- Test lanolin cream on an inconspicuous area of furniture as it may cause darkening of the leather color.
- Use a heat source and a damp cloth to force the skin to release its natural oils.
Before using this method, it is critical to determine the type of leather the furniture is upholstered with. This method is only applicable to aniline leather (and split leather). To heat the skin, hold a running hair dryer very close to the napkin placed on the scratch or press a damp napkin onto the scratch with a warm iron.
Treat the scratch with shoe polish.
Find shoe polish that matches your furniture. First, simply apply the cream to the scratch with a clean cloth or cotton swab. Then rub the cream into the skin, and then use a clean napkin to buff the damaged area with quick movements.
- This step will not completely remove the scratches, but it will help disguise them.
If the color of the cream is slightly lighter than necessary, try applying it in a double layer. If you notice that the cream applied to your skin does not suit your color at all, immediately wipe it off with a damp cloth.
- This method is only effective on highly pigmented leather (as well as coated split leather), as shoe polish is not usually intended for use on leather furniture.
Repairing deep scratches
- Clean the damaged area with rubbing alcohol.
Deep scratches on leather furniture can be worn down and dirty, so they need to be cleaned first before repairing. Take a clean cloth and dampen it with rubbing alcohol, then lightly rub the scratched area.
- Rubbing alcohol dries fairly quickly. Leave the furniture alone for 10 minutes and it should dry.
This method is most effective when working with pigmented skin. If you have a deep scratch on aniline leather furniture, it may be beyond repair.
- Sand or trim any loose fibers protruding around the edges of the scratch.
Unlike fine scratches, deep scratches can leave the surface of the leather uneven, worn, or frayed around the edges of the damage. Therefore, it is necessary to take scissors and trim away any loose fibers of the skin so that the area around the scratch becomes even.
- Treat the scratch with leather crack filler.
The substance, called filler, has the consistency of putty and is used to fill cracks and cuts in leather furniture. Using your finger or a small spatula, apply crack filler to the deep scratch until the scratch is even with the rest of the leather. Then you need to wait about 30 minutes for the crack filler to harden.
- After applying the crack filler, take another piece of fine 1200 grit sandpaper and sand down the surface layer of the dried filler.
You can find crack filler for leather products at a hardware store or specialty stores that sell leather products. In addition, this product can be provided by a leather furniture manufacturer for a fee or even free of charge upon your request.
- Use the correct shade of leather dye.
Now that the damaged area has been repaired with crack filler, you need to color that area of leather to match the color of the rest of the leather. Apply the dye to the sponge and work it evenly over the area of skin covered with the crack filler.
- Apply as many layers of dye as necessary to even out the color of the furniture. Remember that each previous layer must have time to dry before applying a new layer of dye.
To purchase leather dye, you will have to go to a leather store or a furniture store that sells leather furniture.
- Cover the painted area of leather with a special varnish coating.
This will protect the painted crack filler from further scratches. Apply some leather polish to a sponge or clean cloth and then lightly rub it over the painted area of the furniture.
- To make the varnish coating durable, apply it in three to four layers.
As with leather dye, varnish can be purchased from a leather or furniture store. It is also possible to buy crack filler, dye and leather varnish in one special kit for repairing leather products.
- Deep scratches on leather furniture may require professional repair. Serious scratches left unattended can turn into tears that cannot be repaired.
- If you have the opportunity, try to find dyes recommended by the furniture manufacturer, as they will be less likely to ruin the original color of the furniture.
- Before using any foreign substance on your skin, be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area of the product.
Furniture made from leather will look chic in any room. But, having such an attractive appearance, such sofas are very finicky to care for. They always need to be washed thoroughly and the upholstery and decorative elements taken care of. Scratches on a leather sofa greatly spoil its appearance. This cannot be avoided if the cat picks at all the edges it can reach. This situation can be corrected, but it is better to avoid such unpleasant situations.
Sofa upholstery is almost always attacked by animals. Whatever the upholstery, if the cat decides to ruin it, then he will make every effort to do so. Scratched products are no longer so attractive, and over time, small lines turn into noticeable holes. If this problem still affects you, then try removing scratches from a leather sofa.
If your cat is tearing up the sofa, and traces of its entertainment have become visible to the naked eye, then it is better to know how to repair a leather sofa. The animal must be taught that this cannot be done, or a place must be allocated for these pleasures. If you do not take these measures, then even after restoration it will again damage your central furniture.
Cat claw marks
Olive oil can save a light coating from minor scratches. In order for the effect to be visible, it should be warmed up a little. Next, you need to select a thick tampon and soak it in oil. Whatever upholstery is damaged by an animal, fabric or leather, it always looks untidy. If you spread a little oil on the surface, the scratches will tighten significantly. Be patient, quality repairs will take a lot of time, and sometimes you will have to eliminate defects from such fabric more than once.
Has a pet torn up the upholstery on your dark-colored sofa? Dont be upset. To make scratches invisible, choose shoe polish of the same color. Apply to the problem area and leave until completely dry. Then we remove the remaining cream on the surface with a damp cloth and there is practically no trace left of scratches.
Remember that the fabric is much easier to save if you start working immediately after the claw marks appear.
Getting rid of deep scratches
If you don't know what to do if your cat scratches your leather sofa deeply, then don't panic. Almost any malfunction can be repaired so that the cat no longer comes to this place. If there are cuts that cannot be saved with oil or cream, then you need to think about decorating. Upholstery fabric is very democratic, so it is decorated only with certain elements. You can choose original wood designs that will hide the damaged area.
If desired, you can still try to restore with olive oil. Such procedures will need to be carried out three times, then apply a paper towel in place to absorb moisture. Afterwards, a small piece of fabric is placed over the scratches and ironed. The heating temperature should be minimal, otherwise you can further ruin your luxurious piece of furniture. The softened skin is connected again, but, unfortunately, the tears are not sealed, but simply decrease in size.
Repair and restoration methods
For leather furniture, stains are not as critical as physical defects such as cuts or scratches. There are several main methods for restoring such furniture, aimed at both full or partial restoration of the material and hiding defects. The upholstery will not look the same as before, but the scratches will be invisible. The following repair methods can be noted:
- The easiest way is to repair leather furniture using a product called “Liquid Leather” or its equivalent;
- The scratch is painted over with varnish or paint matched to the color of the upholstery. Here we are talking only about camouflage;
- An applique is applied to the damaged area or a patch is sewn on if this does not affect the appearance of the product;
- The most difficult and time-consuming process is the complete re-upholstery of the material. You should resort to it only when repairs with liquid leather no longer help;
- Replacement of accessories. In some situations, it is not the upholstery itself that needs repair, but decorative elements or fittings.
Liquid skin
If you have to work with major damage, you will need to fill the void with foam rubber or cotton wool. This area is glued from the inside of the upholstery. Using the table supplied with the liquid leather, you should select the most suitable color.
The damaged surface is cleaned, degreased, after which the leather furniture is repaired with your own hands. There are no special rules for applying “Liquid Skin” to the surface. The liquid can be applied either with a brush or with a spatula. There is a trick that allows you to give the area restored using the specified product the texture of the original material - you need to attach a sample from the sofa to the damaged area.
Choosing the right shade
Clean the coating and apply the composition
Result
Painting
Painting helps in situations where, after a long period of use, furniture has lost its appearance due to wear and tear. In this case, minor cosmetic repairs should be carried out by painting. The paint itself can be produced both in the form of an aerosol and in the form of a spray, so it will be easy to repair leather furniture. First you need to evaluate how well the paint matches the color of the upholstery, and, if necessary, mix several shades to obtain the desired color.
The damaged surface is first cleaned of dirt and then degreased with acetone. It is better to use sprays, they are more convenient to use. The paint should be applied in several layers. It is important that the previous coat of paint is dry before the next coat is applied. To make the paint dry faster, you can use a regular hairdryer.
Choosing paint
Treat with acetone
Applying the composition
Painting is finished
Padding
The list of items that should be included in the repair kit is described above. First, the sofa is inspected, after which the old upholstery is dismantled. The side and back parts of the sofa, as well as the seat, can be removed using a hexagon or wrench. The staples holding the upholstery are removed with a special tool. It is better to remove the old filler, even if it is in good condition, for a while to assess the condition of the frame. If this is necessary, the filler is replaced with new foam rubber, and damaged parts of the frame are also changed.
The pattern for the new upholstery should be made with a margin of 10 cm, while focusing on the old upholstery. After all the parts are cut out, you can start sewing. If you lack the necessary skills, this process can be entrusted to a specialist.
The constriction looks like this:
- The cut out element is placed on the upholstery of the sofa. The material must be placed in the center of the furniture;
- The fabric is wrapped around the edges, and at the same time tension in the material occurs;
- The upholstery is secured using staples, which should be located at least 4 cm apart from each other.
You need to start working from the middle and move towards the edges. This will ensure even tension.
Patches
Stripes can solve the problem of scratches. The essence of the method is to cut and paste a piece of skin larger than the scratch itself. The patch must be round, although other shapes are allowed. The cut out patch is glued to the bottom of the crack. As for the glue, it must be water-based. It is very difficult to choose a patch that will not differ greatly from the main material, but even if you manage to find such material, the difference will be visible. In this situation, it is worth using additional paint. The repair is complete when the dye is dry.
Treating the surface
Seal the hole
Making a patch
Glue the patch
Overlays
You can repair leather furniture at home using overlays or appliqués. This method can be called unusual, because it radically changes the appearance of the furniture. An overlay differs from a patch in that it is placed on top of the upholstery. The overlay serves to prevent further crack growth. Accordingly, the owner of the furniture realizes that the sofa or chair will no longer have its original appearance. But this can be avoided with a little imagination. Using contrasting overlays, you can create an unusual pattern - it can be an abstract drawing or a specific image. It is better to place the pad itself on glue or sew it with thread.
Threads and needles should not be used because they leave marks, which eliminates the possibility of moving the lining to another place without consequences. Using glue leaves room for error. As with conventional crack sealing, the desired area should be degreased before installing the overlay.
Wipe the coating
Seal
There is a type of adhesive designed for working with leather. You need to look for a product called universal leather glue. The specificity of the process lies in its effectiveness only for small cuts and cracks. Restoring leather furniture requires careful application of glue. You can apply the glue with a toothpick, match or similar sized stick.
After applying the glue, press the edges of the scratch firmly. These edges can also be tied together with synthetic thread. All excess glue must be removed. It is not always possible to carry out this procedure unnoticed, that is, the place of gluing will still be visible. Then the damaged area of the material should be polished and painted.
How to wean an animal
If there is a cat in the house whose paws are constantly itching, then you need to purchase a special scratching post for him. But, unfortunately, not all animals take it seriously, and in this case we have to look for new ways and solutions to eliminate this problem.
To begin with, you can make a small cape or cover for the sofa. If a cat picks him up too, then it doesn’t matter what she sharpens her claws on, the main thing is that this thing is in this exact place. Then remove the cape and place a scratching post near this place, slightly blocking the sofa. The animal will quickly get used to the new piece of furniture and will stop trying to spoil the owners’ furniture.
If the new cover does not interest her at all, then she needs exactly the same material as on the sofa. Some owners make special toys from leatherette; such distraction helps the animal become good.