How to Cover Up Cat Scratches on a Leather Couch

Renew your leather after cat scratches.

Part of loving your pet cat is accepting that she is an animal, a force of nature, and is prone to doing things purely based on instinct. At times those instincts lead your cat to slice a claw or four clear through your leather sofa. Even if your cat is a bit more tame and doesn't intentionally drag its claws through the leather, tiny surface scratches can happen when your pet walks across or jumps onto the couch. Fortunately, smaller scratches that don't pierce through the leather are easier to cover up.

Things You'll Need

• Leather cleaner and conditioner
• Eye goggles
• Leather marker

Instructions

1. Clean the area of the couch you are going to cover up. Review your couch manufacturer's tips for grades of cleaner to use as some can be too harsh for your grain of leather. Allow the couch to dry as instructed on the leather cleaner instructions.

2. Don your protective eye wear and position your drawing arm near the scratch you want to cover up. Carefully apply the color to the scratch using a smooth, even stroke. If necessary, blend the color over a larger portion of the couch with light-handed coloring for an inch or more around the scratched area.

3. Allow the color to dry undisturbed. Keep the couch off-limits for the period of time described in the leather marker usage directions.

4. Apply leather conditioner to your couch to restore its suppleness. The washing and coloring works to dry leather surfaces.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a scratching post for your cat to unleash it's instincts on.

• Use dish soap and lukewarm water in the absence of leather cleaner.

• Test the color of your leather marker on a hidden area of the couch before applying to the scratched area.

• Flush your eye with water for 20 minutes or more if leather dye splashes in it.

References

• Leather Repair Kits: Online Repair Instructions
• Leather Repair Kits: Hints and Tips
• Leather Repair Kits: E-Z Flow Leather Marker Documentation