Dear Apartment Therapy,
My dog has scratched my black leather couch and I need some help on repairing it. The couch doesn't have a cut or tear, simply a bunch of scratches. Is there any kind of solution, oils, etc that will help make this less visible, or fix the problem? -Amanda
Good Questions: My Dog Scratched My Leather Couch!
Hi Amanda, we recommend you first try using some orange tree oil or olive oil on the scratches. These should help reduce the visibiliy and contrast of the scratches on the leather. We've also heard that a non-scented skin moisturizer can help "heal" leather surface wounds, working under the same premise as the oils. In conjunction with treating your leather, it's important to keep your dog's nails clipped; their nails are naturally worn down by taking your pooch out for walks, so listen to his or her wagging tail and get that leash out!
[photo: Baron von Woofer]
Comments (8)
AT Daily Email
Top House Tours
Top Posts
Links
design
friends
more friends
- craftster.org
- idealbite.com
- kfreshdesigns
- designboner
- fototiller
- design-milk
- allthatanda
- decor8
- miapartamento
- silkfeltsoil
- home rejuvenation
- clothes-pin
- sfgirlbybay
- tyson williams
- Happy mundane
- fabulously green
- charles and hudson
- grass roots modern
- ikeahacker
- eatdrinknbmerry
- covetable
- uberreview
- crunch22
- modernflat
- modcottage
- shelterrific
- this old house
- modern-roost
- pallapalla
- anticssoblonde
- elaine vigneault
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
Shoe polish (the old-fashioned kind that you buff) can sometimes help.
Or go for the English country look, where dog scratches are to couches as rips are to couture jeans.
view Lisa Hunter's profile
Wash with a soft cloth and some saddle soap (dampened cloth only!) then treat with a bees wax based conditioner, or mink oil (if you are OK with the fact that it is actual made from minks).
view marid22's profile
I grew up in a true menagerie. My parents have always had tons of pets and always leather furniture. And in their house every critter is allowed to sit where it pleases. I'm not sure if your dog scratched your couch because it was enjoying the comfort of the cushions against your will, or if this happened during an approved dog-couch session? I can tell you from my parent's house, that pets leather = scratches. Supple leathers can also scratch from rivets on jean pockets, jackets and well, just because. It is my opinion that soft, worn and yes, scratched (but not torn) leather is the most comfortable to lounge on and actually over time, really looks the best.
I might be all on my own here, but I say: if you love the dog, and the dog loves the couch- let it up there and don't worry about the scratches. After the initial break-in period, they won't be so noticeable.
view RedEngine88's profile
I have the same problem -- I discovered the scratches and figured out that our big black lab had been sleeping on our leather chair at night! We've reached a compromise. I put a rug over the seat at night and she can still sleep there. I use Leather CPR weekly on her sacred seat. It's a great product --cleans and conditions well -- but is temporary, of course.
view stella1712's profile
The cleaner set for coach purses works wonders. You can get it anywhere they sell the purses. It along with some elbow grease should take out the scratches.
view chairgal's profile
I keep a throw over one side of my couch at all times. With two dogs and two cats (one declawed) it's anybodies game at my house.
view Squeegee Beckenheim's profile
An automobile detailing shop can probably help with good info. They may even be able to fix it for you, a lot of them are mobile and go to the dealerships to do car seats etc.,
view bobbin's profile
Just walking my dog does nothing for her nails. We walk on concrete and asphalt every time we walk and I still have to get her nails done once a month.
She has also scratched my leather chair but I'm planning on keeping the chair till it falls apart so it's ok.
view Slim's profile