How to Fix a Leather Couch That Has Deep Cat Scratches & Pulls

Your cat's claws may seriously damage your leather sofa.

Cats bring entertainment, companionship and life to the home but their claws can damage your furniture. Cats exercise and maintain their claws by scratching different types of surfaces, including your leather couch. Leather furniture is an investment that costs a lot to replace. The least expensive option is to repair the damage if possible. Using proper techniques and tools, you can repair your leather sofa simply and effectively.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Scalpel
• Sandpaper (320p and 1200p)
• Alcohol-based leather cleaner
• Leather filler
• Palette knife
• Leather colorant
• Sponge
• Lacquer

Instructions

1. Trim away any loose or stringy fibers on the scratches and pulls.

2. Use a scalpel to carefully cut away any bits of leather that are pulled up and sticking out around the scratches and pulls.

3. Sand the damaged areas using 320p sandpaper to smooth away rough pieces of leather. Use 1200p sandpaper afterward to further smooth the damaged area.

4. Wipe the damaged area with an alcohol-based leather cleaner to remove any dust or debris. Allow the cleaner to dry and evaporate for at least 10 minutes.

5. Spread a leather filler over the scratches and pulls with a palette knife, thoroughly filling in each damaged spot. Allow the filler to dry for five minutes.

6. Sand the damaged area again using 1200p sandpaper to help work the filler into the damaged spots.

7. Apply leather colorant in the shade that's the closest match for your couch. Dab the color on with a small sponge, carefully working it into the damaged areas to make their color match the undamaged parts.

8. Apply lacquer to the new colorant on the sofa to restore the luster and shine of the leather. Allow this area to dry fully overnight before using the couch again.

Tips & Warnings

• Small scratches often repair themselves somewhat with time, leaving little evidence of damage. You can simply leave the scratch alone and see whether it needs repair after time has passed.

• You can find most products used for repairing leather sofas in a leather furniture repair kit.

• Contact a furniture repair specialist if you have large scratches that are very deep and severe.

References

• Furniture Clinic: How to Repair Cat Scratches on Leather
• Furniture From Home: Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Leather Furniture
• Lane Furniture: How Do I Repair Damage to My Leather Sofa by My Family Pet?