Leather is a wonderful material for many furniture pieces, accessories, and homegoods. But it is prone to scratches, and may need consistent maintenance to keep it looking its best. You may be asking yourself, why does my leather sofa scratch so easily?
Most leather scratches are only in the protective coating of the leather, which means that your leather is still safe. Scratches in leather are also repairable using many conditioning products and repair kits for deeper scratches.
But what can you do to protect your leather products from future scratches? And what are some of the best leather repair products on the market today? The type of leather you have may have something to do with it, check out our article on how to tell the quality of a leather sofa. Anyway, let’s get started so that you can protect your leather from now on!
How to Protect Leather Couch from Scratches?
When it comes to leather, proper maintenance and protection is key to keeping it scratch-free. While every leather product should be manufactured with an initial conditioner or protective layer, this is a layer that fades over time.
It is up to you to maintain this protective coating. Thankfully, it isn’t too late to protect your leather couch from scratches if these scratches have already occurred. Many leather scratch repair products and conditioners work after light or deep scratches have appeared.
Use a leather cleaner on your leather couch first, before diving into scratch repair. Sometimes you may find that the leather is just dirty, not damaged. Always use a leather-specific cleaner; you can’t just break out the all purpose cleaner for this type of material!
Applying an oil or leather conditioner whenever your couch appears dry is a good idea, but every product is different. Be sure to follow the instructions on your chosen product carefully, and always remove any excess oil or product from the leather surface.
If your leather couch is already scratched, it’s time to look at scratch repair products rather than monthly conditioning products. Let’s go over some of my top picks.
What Are the Best Leather Scratch Repair Products?
Finding a reliable leather scratch repair product is important for both repairing existing scratches and preventing future ones. Here are my favorite choices for both scratch repair and maintaining your leather couch for months to come.
COCONIX Brown Leather and Vinyl Repair Kit
Save your leather couch with this COCONIX liquid leather repair kit. It is here to help repair scratches, tears, cracks, burn holes or rips and make your expensive leather armchair look as good as new!
It is an easy-to-use leather repair kit- it comes with clear and easy-to-follow instructions. Just apply it and wait as the scratches disappear! Match many shades of brown with a single kit, and use it on leather products throughout your home.
Leather Cleaner by Leather Honey
If you need a reliable leather cleaner, check out this option from Leather Honey. This product quickly and gently removes dirt, oil, tough stains and grime from many items, including leather couches.
This cleaner effectively cleans new and old leather of all colors, including black leather, white leather, brown leather, red leather, and yellow leather. It is safe for exotic leather as well! Premixed and ready to use immediately, this 8oz size is not concentrated and is ready to use.
Use by moistening a lint-free cloth with cleaner and gently apply the product to your leather. No need to scrub or rub — simply wipe down the dirty leather and allow it to dry. Then you can get going on your scratch repair!
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Healing Balm
Need an all-in-one product to bring your leather sofa back to life? Check out Chamberlain’s Leather Milk, a unique and powerful balm that soothes even the most distressed leather couch out there!
Whether your leather is plagued by scratches, scars, light cracks in the hide, or is just really, really thirsty – this product will milk it back from its rut with form. Optimized to preserve glossy and shiny finishes, this all-natural product will enrich the color and vibrancy of your leather.
This product even comes with a helpful applicator sponge. Simply massage this product into your leather couch and it will make nearly all these blemishes disappear as if by magic, thickly disguising cuts, scratches, scars and cracks with ease.
What to do if the Leather is Fully Ripped Open?
Maintaining your leather from scratching is one thing. But what if your leather is fully ripped open? You may need to reach out to a professional, or you can purchase a leather repair kit if you feel confident repairing the couch yourself.
These kits have patches, designed to glue to the underside of your leather couch. With a few steps, you can patch a ripped leather couch with little effort. Be sure to clean your leather couch beforehand, and trim any excess material or frayed ends.
I recommend this kit from JB-Weld, but there are many options out there, depending on how deep and intense the tear is. The COCONIX product listed above is also a fantastic option for restoring your leather couch back to its former glory!
Leather Furniture Scratches FAQs
Still have questions about your scratched leather furniture? Let’s go over some of the most common questions together!
How can you repair dog or cat scratches on leather?
We love our pets and they want to be part of our lives. However, their claws can make quick work of leather couches, and you may be wondering how to properly repair these products.
All of the leather repair kits listed above are perfect for treating dog or cat scratches on leather. You may also consider giving your pet their own bed or resting area near your couch, or cover the leather with a blanket when your pet wants to be near you.
Can olive oil really fix leather scratches?
Olive oil can moisturize leather and make it look shiny and new in the short term. However, olive oil is not ideal for maintaining your leather in the long run. Any generic oil that isn’t labeled for leather care will behave poorly long-term.
Olive oil is a great last-minute fix if you need your couch looking good for the in-laws or guests. However, the oil will travel through the leather and permeate it until it leaves your couch looking blotchy and oily. Go with a leather-approved product!
What if the scratch in leather is deep?
If you are dealing with deep leather scratches, using a more heavy-duty repair kit is easy enough. A few of the ones listed in this article will repair deep scratches, and you can always call a professional in to maintain your leather couch.
Final Thoughts
Your leather sofa may scratch easily, but repairing and maintaining it is just as easy to do. Keep your leather moisturized and oiled with leather-specific products, and you will have a scratch-free couch for years to come!
Read Related Leather Furniture Articles:
- Can You Use a Melamine Sponge on Leather? (Answered)
- What Are the Best Leather Furniture Brands? (Top 10 Brands)
- How to Disinfect a Leather Couch (Without Causing Damage)
- How to Tell the Quality of a Leather Sofa?
- How to Clean Your Pets Urine from a Leather Couch?
- Can You Clean Leather Furniture with Soap and Water?
- Poly & Bark vs Article | What Furniture Brand is Better?
Jamie is the Founder of My Home Dwelling. He is a homeowner and enjoys sharing his homeowner tips with others. He has real estate experience working as a new home construction Realtor. Jamie has worked on numerous residential construction sites helping with interior and exterior renovations. He loves refinishing furniture, DIY home projects, and sharing his knowledge online.