Is your leather sofa starting to peel, and you’re unsure what to do? You’ve come to the right spot. Leather couches are a popular furniture option for many homes due to their durability and stylish aesthetic.
However, leather couches may sometimes peel, despite being resistant to spills and stains, and the material can degrade or tear with time, which can be unappealing and costly to repair.
We will outline the potential causes of leather couch peeling and how to fix peeling leather seats on your furniture.
Why Is My Leather Couch Peeling?
The leather perhaps was not handled correctly when it was created, which is one of the causes why leather couches and sofas start to peel after a few years.
The leather sofa’s extended exposure to UV radiation is another factor. Additionally, it might be because the leather furniture wasn’t properly cared for.
Let’s go through these reasons more clearly.
1. Poor Quality Leather
In most cases, peeling leather is an indication of low-quality leather or bad craftsmanship. Likely, the hide was improperly treated during the dyeing processes if this occurs to your couch.
Consequently, the natural oils in the leather can deteriorate, raising the risk of the couch drying out and peeling.
Additionally, because genuine leather does not peel, your couch may be peeling because it is constructed of faux or bonded leather. The PVC used to make fake leather constantly ages and peels with wear.
2. Moisture Damage
A second concern is that your leather couch may have been exposed to excessive water or humidity. It may result from spills or other liquids, such as pet pee.
If leather is not sufficiently shielded from moisture, it may start to rot, deteriorate, and peel.
3. High UV Exposure
Leather ages poorly in the sun. The sun’s rays considerably cause your furniture to fade and dry up, especially if it’s adjacent to a window.
It is a consequence of the leather’s natural oil slowly evaporating over time, which causes the leather to stiffen, split, and peel.
4. Improper care and cleaning
Leather items such as shoes, boots, couches, and jackets may also peel when poorly cleaned with abrasive cleansers and strong chemicals.
Furniture made of leather shouldn’t be cleaned with abrasive cleaners or harsh detergents. Instead, carefully clean the leather with lukewarm water and mild soap using a clean towel. After, be sure to properly dry the seat.
5. Aging Of Leather
Most leather sofas and couches won’t start to peel for many years. However, as the furniture ages, peeling might occur.
It is because leather becomes brittle and loses its natural oils as it ages.
It could be a good idea to hydrate an old leather seat if the leather is starting to peel. It may be accomplished by moisturizing and softening the dried-out leather with a decent leather conditioner or oil.
However, if your sofa is too old, it could be better to replace it and get a new one rather than attempting to repair your current one.
How To Fix A Peeling Leather Couch -Steps
1. A Leather Repair Kit
It is a simple task, but you must set up a day to get optimal results. Start by using mild soap and water to wash the area surrounding the peeling. Before continuing, make sure the area is totally dry.
The next step is to buy a leather repair kit, either offline or online, at your nearest hardware shop. Typically, these kits come with leather dye and an applicator with a sponge to spread the color evenly.
The repair kits are essential for everyone who owns a leather good since they may be used to patch up holes, rips, and other leather damage.
2. Using a Leather Filler
Leather filler is a malleable material used to patch holes, breaks, and fractures in leather or vinyl. It is most effective in spots where the leather has deteriorated to the point where the inner backing is exposed owing to excessive peeling, cracking or tears.
However, using leather filler to fix peeling or flaking on bonded or synthetic leather is not advised.
3. Leather Glue
Another option for patching a leather sofa break is leather glue. Spread the glue with a thin applicator (or toothpick), then compress the tear’s two sides together before removing any extra adhesive.
Let it set once that is finished. Depending on the task, you may also need to apply a leather colorant.
Larger rips or holes may also be patched using leather glue, although this requires a leather patch. Cut a piece of replacement leather to size, find some, and glue it in place.
Even if it’s a straightforward procedure, remember that a homemade patch and leather glue will never result in a smooth finish. On the other hand, it will effectively patch a hole in your favorite leather sofa!
4. Using Acrylic Leather Paint
It shouldn’t be surprising that acrylic paints can be utilized to restore ripped leather, as they have long been applied to paint leather.
Acrylic paints give the leather a high-gloss surface that is easy to clean with soap and warm water and won’t peel off, flake, or crack.
To preserve your furniture from scuffs and scratches, you must use a sealer or finisher after painting.
5. Try Recoloring Balm
Recoloring balm works well for tiny tasks, such as minor fissures or peeling patches of skin.
Recoloring balm is available at your local home repair shop for $10 to $30 and may be used for tasks other than repairs, such as bringing back the color of faded leather and fixing scratches in leather.
Do All Leather Couches Peel?
No. Real leather of high quality may last for many years. However, we must also realize that not all authentic leathers are equal. Some may start to peel a few years or perhaps a few usages afterward.
To ensure that your leather sofa lasts a long time and that you are aware of how to effectively maintain it, you must research the brand and construction of the couch.
How To Repair Peeling Leather Couches
Here are some easy steps you can do repair leather couches:
- Remove any loose portions of synthetic leather by peeling and sanding them away. Like paint, faux leather is prone to peeling. In such a case, remove the majority of the loose “leather” that has been adhered to the cloth backing. Next, sand any bubbles and uneven edges using a fine-grit sanding sponge.
- Apply a layer of indoor latex house paint and allow it to dry. Pour the latex on a tray, then apply a small foam paint roller for the cleanest finish. Before continuing, let the paint fully dry. Based on the paint you’re using, this can take a few hours.
- Sanding and repainting may be done up to four additional times. You cover up the exposed backing’s roughness with each layer of latex paint. Sanding the paint smoothes off any raised lumps. The extent of the damage will ultimately determine how often you must repeat this.
- Use a paste wax to smooth the paint surface until it feels flawless. It is crucial because it seals the paint and keeps it from becoming sticky.
- Simply apply the paste wax by rubbing it on, then remove it with a soft towel. Buff the surface repeatedly until it appears smooth and the wax has been absorbed.
How Can Leather Sofa Peeling Be Avoided?
Use leather cleaners or softeners regularly and utilize non-abrasive cleaning supplies and cloths to prevent the leather from peeling.
By doing this, you can keep your leather sofa from becoming damp. It can be kept from becoming stiff and dry, which also keeps the leather from flaking.
What Does It Cost To Repair A Peeling Leather Couch?
You need to be aware that the cost of repairing your peeling leather sofa might range anywhere from $100 to $400 if you consider taking it to a specialist specializing in leather goods.
A single peeling area may set you back as much as $150. The expense of further peeling and random scratches might reach $500.
Conclusion
Although leather rarely peels, there are some potential causes. First, you’ll need to replace your leather couch if it isn’t genuine leather or if it is showing signs of wear.
The excellent thing is that there is a fix if the leather on your sofa begins to peel. All that is necessary is understanding where to start and what to do next.
Your warm living space may be updated with only one of the solutions on our list for how to fix a peeling leather sofa.