5 Best Methods to Restore Faded Leather Furniture

Leather furniture has been popular and has been of great importance in daily life for centuries. It is not used to sit only, also it fills a blank space in the drawing room with its vibrant color and lavish quality.

Over time the highest quality leather can also lose its vibrancy due to many factors like sunlight, frequent use, or several environmental conditions. If your furniture looks dull or faded, do not buy a new one because you can revive it with the right techniques.

According to a research report by Researchgate, the leather is normally made to survive the temperature from 23 degrees to 27 degrees Celsius and 65% humidity. Over its limit can fade or stiff the fabric, so regular maintenance is necessary.

However, it is not only the temperature, other reasons are there like the aging process. Fortunately, to restore faded leather furniture does not require any professional knowledge, you can do it with some home equipment.

By the end of this guide, you have a clear picture of performing the restoration process effectively.

Let’s start ………

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Why Does Leather Furniture Fade

Many top-quality leather they claim this furniture will last for 10 years but you will notice it starts to deteriorate after 4 to 5 years. This process starts even faster if the couch is exposed to sunlight.

Bad Quality

If the leather and dye are not of good quality then the leather couch will fade very quickly. It will start to deteriorate much before the day it should.

Proper Maintenance

Due to exposure to sunlight or aging effects, the leather starts to lose its strength and shine, so regular maintenance can save a lot of money, by giving just 20 to 30 minutes a week.

Bad Products

I know regular maintenance is required but if I tell you due to this maintenance your product starts to deteriorate, how would you feel? that is because you are using bad quality conditioner or cleaners for sure.

Temperature and Heat

Temperature also plays a vital role in damaging the leather fabric. You will notice it more if you are living in hot weather or you keeping the sofa outside.

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How to Restore Faded Leather Furniture

Any item or any material in the world slowly starts to deteriorate naturally or due to improper maintenance. Only one thing in your hand, if you maintain the material well, it will last for a long time.

Instant Supplies Needed

1. Leather Cleaner
2. Leather Conditioner
3. Leather Dye or Recolouring balm
4. Soft or Microfiber Cloth
5. Leather Protection Cream
6. Hand gloves

Step 1: Clean it First

• First, wipe off any dust that may be stuck on the leather couch with a dry cloth.
• Then you have to take a damp cloth, this does not mean that you have to soak the entire leather couch, if you do then your leather couch will be damaged.
• Do not do this, just take a damp cloth and wipe the entire leather couch thoroughly.

Step 2: Time to Use Leather Cleaner

• By applying the leather cleaner on the couch, the dust that could not be removed in the empty cloth will also be removed, along with it if there are any stains or dents, that will also be removed.
• Just take some drops on a clean cloth and gently rub it on the couch in a circular motion.

Step 3: Apply Leather Balm

• The first thing to keep in mind is that when you think of dyeing a leather couch, just dye the front because most of the time you use the front of the leather couch and not the back or side.
• you will have to buy leather dye according to the color of your leather couch. If you are having difficulty in buying color, take a photo of your leather couch and show it to the owner of the shop, he will bring out a balm and dye to match the exact or nearest color.
• Before applying leather dye directly, test it on a small area to see if the color matches or if that area is getting damaged.
• You should buy a good branded leather balm.
• After that, take a dry soft cloth and apply it as per the manufacturer’s instructions on the area where the color is faded.

Step 4: Take a Break

• After applying the leather dye, leave it to dry for 3 to 4 hours.
• Take a dry cloth and wipe it over the leather sofa.
• If the color gets transferred to the same cloth then understand that the leather couch has not dried properly.
• After your leather couch is thoroughly dried, it is very important to apply a leather conditioner on your leather couch.
• Applying the best leather conditioner will maintain surface moisture and after that, the leather couch will look smooth and shiny.

Step 5: Use a Leather Protection Cream

• Leather couches get worn and chipped over time by rubbing against cloth. When you apply lather protection cream, it prevents the lather from breaking or cracking so quickly. It acts like a shield.
• The application process is simple, shake the bottle well take some amount to the applicator sponge, and directly apply on the couch.
• The application process should be gentle and you have to do this after 24 to 48 hours of applying the balm for good results.

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How to Prevent Leather Couch to Fade

Avoid Sunlight

Do not place the leather couch in your house where sunlight enters directly such as on the windows side or roof.

Use a Sofa Cover

You use a phone back cover to protect your phone, like you use a couch cover to protect your leather couch from heat, light, dust, or any other activity. Also, clean the cover once every month.

Protect from Electronic Devices

Electronic devices meaning machines that emit radiation, keep the leather couch away from such places as room heaters, radiators, cooling AC, etc. Because leather couches are likely to become dry and cracked by absorbing excess heat and cooling.

Avoid Chemical Exposure

Keep the couch away from harsh chemicals like floor cleaners, perfumes, or other cleaning agents. If you are living in a humid area, use a dehumidifier and try to maintain a temperature between 18-24 degrees Celsius.

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How to Restore Cracked Leather Couch

As time passes, the leather will wear out and cracks will appear on the leather couch. If there is a crack on your leather couch, follow the below steps to fix it.

1. Clean with a damp Cloth: Clean the dust on a leather couch using a damp cloth. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust.
2. Use leather cleaner: Apply the leather Cleaner to clean the cracked surface of the couch. After that, dry the wet surface and the cracked place thoroughly with the help of a hair dryer.
3. Use leather Filler or repair cream: Apply leather filler properly wherever there is a crack. Apply leather repair cream on the cracked area and penetrate the area well with the help of a soft cloth in a circular motion as if the gap would fill up.
4. Dry The Couch: Allow the leather couch to dry for a while after applying the leather repair cream. It will be mentioned in the product instructions.
5. Condition It: Apply leather conditioner as needed on the couch to make the place smooth and glowing.

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How To Identify Good Quality Leather Couch

Sometimes you do not get the right product even after spending a lot of money in a shop. That is why before buying any product, if you learn a little about that product, you will get the right product at the right price.

Step-1: Identify the Real Leather Couch

• Full grain leather – It is made in the top layer of the hide hence. It has natural grain also. These types of leather are very strong, durable, and very good in quality. A little bit expensive to buy.
• Top Grain leather – It is also a layer formed on top of the hide. It is slightly lower than full-grain leather quality. But very Flexible rather than Full grain Leather.
• Genuine Leather – It is made in the lower layer of the hide. After making top-grain leather on hide, what remains is made into genuine leather. It is not that it is bad in quality. This is also naturally good leather. Its durability is also very high. You will get it cheap too.
• Faux Leather – It is made from synthetic materials like polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. It looks perfect but is not as soft, flexible, and durable as full-grain leather, top-grain leather, or genuine leather.

Step 2: Touch & Feel the Leather

• Touch the leather couch properly and see that it should feel soft to your hand, its texture should be good such that no stains should appear on it.
• It should have double stitching. If it is double stitched then it will last for a long time.

Step 3: Smell It

• When you smell the leather couch, it has a natural and different type of fragrance deep earthy scent just because of the natural oils. Make sure that the couch doesn’t smell like plastic or any chemical.

Step 4: Sit and feel the Leather Couch

• Try sitting on it once, as you will find its leather very comfortable, and the wooden chair should be in good shape and strong. That leather couch must be made of very good wood.

Step 5: Check Warranty

• Nowadays every piece of furniture comes with a warranty or guarantee. If any product breaks down, it will have to be repaired or replaced.
• If the leather couch is of good quality or company then its manufacturer will give you a warranty or guarantee.

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Final Thoughts on How to Restore Faded Leather Furniture

Fixing a faded leather sofa can be time-consuming but when you do it, it not only improves the beauty of your home but also increases its lifespan a lot. But it needs the right techniques to do it effectively and here this article will help you.

Initially, when you ignore fading or minor damages, it becomes a big headache after some time because due to less maintenance, the fabric becomes dry enough and starts to crack. However, I also provided a detailed repair of scratches in this article.

Preventive measures can save a lot of your hard-earned money and improve the lifespan of the couch. But you have to invest some time every week for it.

If you like our effort in this piece of content then try these methods and comment down for your views on it.

Thank you…………….

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FAQs on How to Restore Faded Leather Furniture