How to remove cat scratches from a leather sofa
Cats are beautiful in everything, but their sharp claws ... You can survive scratches on the body - they heal. And furniture does not have the miraculous power of self-healing. Therefore, it is better to try to avoid the appearance of marks from the claws. If this happened, and you need to remove scratches from a leather sofa from a cat, then you can use proven methods. We will tell you how to save furniture and how to wean a fluffy pet from a bad habit.
The cat scratched the sofa
So, you returned home and saw scratches on the leather furniture. What to do? First, do not get upset and do not take offense at your pet or household. The Fuzzy did this, albeit on purpose (well, he likes to sharpen his claws on a pleasant texture), but not out of malice.
Some owners specially cut their claws and put on protective pads on them. But not all cats easily tolerate this procedure, and not every owner will go for it.
In order not to face this problem, it is better to accustom a kitten to a scratching post from childhood. This can be done using special tools that are sold at the pet store. If the cat does get to the furniture, you can fix the situation.
How to remove scratches from a leather sofa
Here are some popular ways to help you repair your leather sofa from scratching cats.
Olive oil
Before you start restoring furniture that was picked up by a cat, you need to check the reaction of sofa leather to oil. To do this, apply oil to an area invisible to the eye and wait a while. If the skin has not lost its luster, the method is suitable.
What to do:
- dip a cotton pad or cotton swab in oil;
- wipe the scratch site, slightly going beyond it;
- let dry;
- repeat the procedure if necessary.
This method perfectly removes shallow scratches.
Iron, textiles and oil
If the first method was not effective enough, you can try the "improved" version of the method. In addition to oil, you need a cloth and an iron.
How to do:
- lubricate the damaged area with oil;
- apply matter to the scratch;
- wait until the oil is absorbed into the fabric, remove it.
Did not help? The second part of the method should solve the problem:
- take the same piece of cloth, moisten with water;
- apply to the damaged area;
- wait until the water is slightly absorbed;
- take a warm (exactly warm) iron;
- iron the fabric for 10 seconds;
- repeat until effect is obtained.
Even deep scratches can be dealt with this way. It is worth considering that 2-3 repetitions are required to remove some damage.
Shoe cream
Sometimes an old, perhaps slightly forgotten remedy comes to the rescue: shoe polish. Products that are intended for natural leather have an oily base and a thick texture.They can come in handy when fixing furniture. The most important thing is that the shade of the upholstery and the product match. As a last resort, you can mix two different shades to get the desired one.
How to repair scratches on a leather sofa with shoe polish:
- apply a small amount of cream to a cotton swab;
- rub it into the scratched area in a circular motion.
It is better to soak the rest of the cream with a napkin. This method is suitable if the cat has decided to sharpen its claws on the bottom or side bar. It is not recommended to remove scratches on the seat in this way.
Rubber glue
A rubber glue that does not contain acetone is suitable for this purpose. It will fill in the damaged areas and the sofa will be repaired. With glue, gently fill the scratch site. This can be done with a toothpick to avoid leaving marks on the “healthy” areas of the furniture. When the glue dries, the strip is painted over with a marker to match or wiped with shoe polish.
Nail polish
There are two difficult points in this method: you need to choose a varnish of the same shade and texture as the sofa, and also apply it very carefully. The easiest way to "fix" in this way is a black glossy sofa.
For matte leather, matte varnish is suitable.
Instead of a standard brush, it is better to use a toothpick or a special brush for drawing on your nails. The varnish is applied in a thin strip, strictly in the scratch.
Marker
A waterproof marker (for drawing on glass, for example) is most suitable. It is matched to the tone of the sofa. In order not to be mistaken with the color, you can take a piece of upholstery or take a photo of the sofa. The color rendition of the smartphone should be adjusted as well as possible: you need to remove furniture with sufficient daylight. A marker is used in the same way as varnish or shoe polish: it is applied strictly to the scratch. If the cut is deep, you can first fill it with rubber glue.
Wax
What do the cat scratch the leather sofa quite deeply? In this case, you should arm yourself with wax. Natural bee or special furniture will do. The product is heated in a water bath or in a microwave (10-20 seconds is enough, depending on the power). Then, using a soft cloth or cotton pad, it is applied to the ruffled area. Flannel is the best choice - it is a very soft and delicate fabric that can be polished.
Once the wax has hardened, the scratch will be invisible. This method is universal: it is suitable for upholstery made from natural leather, and for dermantine or eco-leather.
Liquid skin
It is better to remove damage in the most visible places with the help of liquid skin. You can buy it in specialized stores that sell building materials or leather goods.
The product is applied with a soft sponge using patting movements. When the liquid skin is completely dry, no damage will be visible. This method is suitable for all types of leather: natural and leatherette. Again, the most important thing is to choose the right shade.
How to avoid scratches
The best way is to teach a cat to a scratching post from childhood. How to do it:
- with the help of veterinary drugs - they are sprayed with a scratching post, the cat is attracted by the smell, over time he gets used to sharpen his claws only in the “right” place;
- with the help of essential oils or valerian - cats are very fond of the smell of mint, you can add a few drops of oil to the water and spray the scratching post, valerian is also suitable for this method, but the main thing is not to overdo it.
To prevent the cat from "sticking" to the furniture, it can also be processed. Veterinary drugs with the opposite, deterrent effect will do. They are sprayed onto furniture and allowed to dry. The procedure must be repeated periodically. The instructions for the preparations describe in detail how often the treatment should be carried out.
You need to pay attention to the composition of the product and the smell. It is better that natural ingredients are used in it, and the aroma is not pungent.
Of the essential oils, cats don't like oranges too much. Therefore, you can apply a little to furniture or dilute in water and spray. The cat will not come close to the sofa.
The easiest way to avoid scratches is to cover the furniture with a blanket. It is especially important to do this before leaving the house. In the absence of the owners, the cat can afford what it does not dare to do with them. If there is no cover or suitable blanket, it is better not to let the cat into the room where his “favorite” leather sofa is.
Someone says that cats do not lend themselves to training, but consistent gentle educational measures will wean the furry from the habit of nasty. The main thing is not to show aggression towards the animal. This is not only inhumane, but also fraught with consequences. Many cats will not miss the opportunity to take revenge on the owner for cruelty and spoil his favorite things.
Video: how to remove claws from the sofa