Sofa Furniture Repair

Sofas are prone to damage because they are one of the most used pieces of furniture within a home. Sofas become dirty and may require cleaning. Sofa upholstery can tear over time, and may need to be recovered or restitched. Pets can wreak havoc on sofas, and sometimes wooden legs and frames on a sofa may need to be repaired, especially when they are antique.

Old newspaper
Dust mask
Disposable plastic gloves
320 grit sandpaper
Clean paintbrush
Tack cloth
Wood glue
Epoxy
Wood filler
Clean cloths
150 grit sandpaper
Clean paint brushes
Wood stain
Varnish
Leather patch kit
Steam iron
Leather conditioner
Upholstery scissor
Pre-sized upholstery
Staple gun

Instructions

- 1
  
  Remove the pillows and sofa cushions before beginning the repairs.
  
  Remove the pillows and cushions from the sofa. Examine the sofa to determine the extent of the damage. Examine the upholstery. Look at the back and underside of the sofa. Turn the sofa on its side carefully. Check to see if there is damage to the legs.
- 2
  
  A piece of 320 grit sandpaper can be used to refinish a sofa.
  
  Place old newspapers on the floor around the sofa. Put on a dust mask and disposable plastic gloves. Using 320 grit sandpaper, gently sand the wooden frame and legs of the sofa if the wood is chipped, worn or in need of refinishing. Use a clean paintbrush or tack cloth to remove any wood dust.
- 3
  Using wood glue, reattach any lifted up pieces of wood on the frame and legs once you finish sanding. Use epoxy made for wood on the frame of the sofa if there are large splits or gouges. Hold the wood in place for a few seconds, or until the wood bonds together. Let the wood and epoxy glue dry overnight.
- 4
  
  Use a clean paint brush to remove any wood, epoxy or filler dust.
  
  Fill in hairline cracks or smaller pits in the wood with wood filler. Remove any excess filler with a clean cloth. Let the sofa dry overnight. Sand the glue, epoxy and wood filler sections the following day with a 150 grit sandpaper. Sand lightly and remove wood dust with a clean paint brush.
- 5
  
  After refinishing, stain the wooden sofa frame.
  
  Stain the legs and the frame of the sofa now that the wood is refinished. Apply two coats of water-based stain to the wood. Let the first coat dry before applying a second coat. After the stain has dried, apply an insect and waterproof varnish to the wood to seal it. Apply two coats. Let the first coat dry before applying a second coat.
- 6
  
  Use a leather patch to repair leather sofas.
  
  Patch leather furniture where there are holes, tears or faded spots with a leather patch kit. Ensure that the patch matches the leather used on the sofa. Following the directions included in the patch kit, place the patch over the area where there is damage. Place a steam iron set to medium heat over the patch so that it sinks into the leather. Sand the patch with the sandpaper included in the kit. Remove any dust with a clean paint brush. Recondition the leather furniture following the patching with leather conditioner.
- 7
  
  Use new fabric to reupholster a damaged sofa.
  
  Repair any damaged upholstery on your sofa. Remove the old upholstery with upholstery scissors. Starting at the back of the sofa, stretch the new pre-sized upholstery fabric across the sofa frame. Staple the fabric into the frame with a staple gun. Stretch the fabric over to the front of the sofa, stapling as you go along. Ensure that the fabric remains taut and doesn’t bunch in sections. Upholster the arms lastly. Trim off any extra fabric, and staple the ends into place.

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