How to Repair Leather Furniture

Leather is a durable material, but after a while, it can show signs of wear and tear. The good news is that leather is easy to recondition to almost new without having to spend a lot of money to have your sofa reupholstered.

Surface Scratches

Pets and toys can cause surface scratches to leather. This type of damage is normal wear and tear in an average home. To fix these types of scratches, you will need a leather cleaner, leather conditioner, leather/vinyl repair kit and a lint-free cloth.

You can use a commercial leather cleaner or mix one quart of warm water, one tablespoon of natural Castile soap and a couple of drops of vinegar. Spray the cleaner onto your couch and wipe it off with a lint-free towel.

After cleaning the surface of your leather sofa, you should already see a difference in the appearance of surface scratches. Once dry, apply a thin layer of leather conditioner onto the sofa and work it in — a little of this oil-like substance goes a long way.

As you work in the conditioner, it may be easier for you to use your hands. Rub in a circular motion, applying as much conditioner as needed until the leather will not absorb any more. Let the conditioner sit on the leather's surface for at least two hours. For older, heavily scratched or damaged leather, you may need to let it sit overnight and apply another layer in the morning.

Patching

For the larger damaged areas, you will need to use a patch kit. This one comes with a chart to help match the color of the leather. Mix according to directions.

Once you get the right color mixed, apply the leather/vinyl patch to the deeper or larger damaged areas. Wipe off any excess around the edges and let dry.

Finally, remove the excess conditioner not absorbed by the leather. You may have to do this a few times to get off all the excess conditioner. Let the leather dry for a few hours before you let anyone sit on it. Your leather sofa is as good as new.