I just purchased leather furniture literally two days ago and already have scratches all over it! I had no idea that the leather would be so easily scratched. It is a very dark rich color and I have three dogs that all lay on the furniture. They are all under thirty pounds and don't run all over it. They just jump up and sit down, but it is already scratched to pieces.
Does anyone have any suggestions or advice on what to do or if this is normal and will fade with time? Should I try to get a refund because I was told that scratches were covered in the warranty and after reading it have found out that they are not covered! Any advice is appreciated.
Becky from Cincinnati, OH
If the cat didn't actually rip the leather it might be worth trying color and scent free moisturizer. It's skin at the end of the day! There used to be a product in the UK called RENAPUR. (about 10 years ago!) and it was very similar to wax that would bring the colour back to the top of the furniture. Be careful though, its just an idea!
(03/17/2005)
By Julie
Try using shoe wax matching the color as closely as possible to your couch. Apply with a Q-tip, and then buff with a soft cloth. I have had wonderful luck with this method. I can't even tell where Kitty was careless! Good luck. (03/18/2005)
By Jenny B.
There is a product called "Feliway" it is a hormone cats excrete to calm them. You spray it on furniture and the cat will stop clawing like magic. (05/22/2005)
By Amy
I have repaired scratches on leather garments (for theater) with oil artists paints. Acrylics don't dry true to color and don't adhere so well, but the oils seem to work. (05/23/2005)
By amanda
Try going to softpaws.com. These are little rubber "caps" you glue onto the claws of cats with a superglue. The eventually come off as the nail grows back (first you clip the nail, then apply the soft paw). The cat eventually gets used to them. What I did notice is I needed to pay more attention to checking them everyday and making sure I replace the caps right away on ones that had fallen off. All it takes is one exposed claw to cause some misery (which I have gone through). (10/09/2005)
By Todd
I have had some success using "Horseman's One Step" cleaner available through horse equipment supply stores. It conditions the leather, gets rid of the ugly scratch marks if the aren't too deep and although it comes up darker at first, it will dry. This stuff has been used by horsemen for years on very expensive saddles. No lie they can cost $5,000 for a saddle. So, this stuff is very good. Also, there is Pledge, yep, Pledge and a soft cloth. (10/17/2005)
By susan
By Lucy Durbridge
I have a dark brown, distressed leather sofa and although my dog doesn't get on it, it gets scratched from time to time. I don't worry about it because there isn't much you can do. I just use leather conditioner on it about once a month and it's fine.
Allowing pets on furniture is a bad habit, not only for your furniture but dogs should never sit or lay at the same level as their owner. They belong on the floor because they aren't the leaders, the owners are. (01/24/2006)
If you were told 2 days ago that scratches were covered in your warrenty, I would think about contacting the store about them lying to you. Also, train your cats to only get on certain furniture, not the leather stuff. Good Luck (01/24/2006)
By Dede.
About softpaws.com: it's a nice idea, but our kitten pulled hers all off five times in five days. I've increased the amount of glue each time, but it doesn't work. We're just hoping to train her to stay off the leather furniture, although when she's flying around the house, she sometimes uses it as a launchpad in a catnip fury. I guess we'll call the little scratches "character." (02/10/2006)
By Punkko
I had exactly the same problem! The solution shoe polish - it works a treat, just remember to rub it in well and polish for results. (05/03/2006)
By Louise Williams
Use Leather Magic. Simple. Easy. Cheaper than replacing a prize piece of furniture. Or your dearly loved pet.
(06/27/2006)
By Jen
If the leather has lightened where scratched then use the Grison re-colouring balm to put the colour back into your leather - http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Grison.htm (07/24/2006)
By Ben Staerck
If your piece is brand new and you have scratches you more than likley have a waxy finish or pull up type leather. The scratches are normal and are different from a deep scratch in a finished leather from a cat or something sharp. Try rubbing the area with your hand to see if the waxy dye moves to darken the area. You may also get a decent conditioner that will moisturise those areas.
By Leather Expert
Thanks to those who stayed on the topic! The shoe polish saved my dog! My husband will never know! (04/13/2007)
By Becky
By the amount of scratches you have in a short time, I imagine you have a pull-up leather, which is meant to get a distressed look. Once you have scratches all over, they will start to blend in and just give the piece some character. When you only have one or 2 big new scratches, they tend to stand out. Many small scratches blend in. Also - you should use a conditioner for pull-ups - such as Oleosa - which you can rub all over, and it softens the look of the scratches quit a bit. It makes it look pretty good if you ask me. (06/24/2007)
By Robin
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