Leather Couch Restoration - Restore Your Old Couch To Original Condition

All leather furniture, regardless of how well it is cared for, will experience drying and fading over time, resulting in its looking old and unattractive. However, when one has a thorough understanding of the proper technique, such furniture can be restored to look almost new again. Leather couch restoration is not as difficult as one may initially think, and with a little time and effort to remove grime and dirt, and properly condition the leather, the furniture can look attractive and inviting. Those who enjoy having leather furniture will find that maintaining it properly is well worth the effort.

Getting Started

Using a vacuum cleaner with a gentle brush is a good way to begin, as this is an effective method for removing dirt and dust before beginning the restoration process. The surface of the leather should then be cleaned and it is essential to purchase a cleaner that is specifically made for use on leather furniture.

A few drops of the leather solution should be added to a bucket of distilled water and the solution should be mixed until a layer of suds form. A soft rag should be used, and the surface of the leather couch gently cleaned. Clean water and a separate rag should be used to remove the cleaning residue and the couch must then be allowed to dry completely.

After the couch is entirely dry, a soft rag can be used to buff luster back into its surface. Once this task is completed, the dry leather must be moisturized with a conditioner. Once again, the product used should be one specifically made for leather furniture. Creams are by far the simplest leather moisturizers to apply and only a small amount of the cream is needed to achieve the desired result. Only a cloth made from cotton should be used, and the moisturizer should be rubbed into one small area of the couch at a time until it is completely absorbed. The couch must not be used for a period of two hours after the conditioner is applied.

Restoring Color

If the leather conditioner does not result in bringing the color and luster back to the leather couch, a precision-matched leather dye can also be applied. To ensure the proper dye is selected, one can send a tiny factory swatch of the appropriate color to a leather-restoration manufacturer that makes leather dyes. The company will match the color precisely and then provide a liquid solution that ideally matches the necessary color. It is essential that one closely follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying the dye to the couch.

Leather Seam Repair

Seam repair for a leather couch can be a difficult task, but by following a few basic tips the process can be simplified. If the large stitching commonly seen with leather couches rips, a leather sewing machine will be necessary to repair the damage. Hand repair is possible for small seam rips, but this task must be undertaken carefully. The most essential thing one must keep in mind when restoring leather seams is to allow adequate time to complete the task properly. Rushing through the job can result in accidentally tearing the leather and making it necessary to replace the entire section.
The leather upholstery must first be removed from the seat. A seam ripper may prove helpful in this situation; however, the goal should be to take out as few seams as possible.

The pieces should be marked as they are removed from the cushions to make it easy to recall which seam goes where. The pieces should be held in place with masking tape and then sewn together using polyester thread, as cotton thread offers little longevity. The result of a leather couch restoration project will be a piece of furniture of which the homeowner can be proud. In addition, the restored couch will add beauty and flair to any room in which it is placed.

Leather couch restoration is a great way to bring your old couches and sofa's looking as good as new. CLICK HERE for more information on how to restore your old leather furniture.

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