When your pet has already damaged one or more of your home furniture, you have three usual options for this kind of situation: DIY repair it, hire a professional to repair it for you, or throw your furniture away and buy a new one. DIY repair is the most inexpensive and most practical choice of the three. Hiring a professional could be considered the most hassle-free and less expensive compared to buying a new piece of furniture. However, the professional repair cost may still vary depending on the furniture material and the severity of the damage. Lastly, replacing your furniture may be the option that you want to take the least. Not only is it very unreasonable especially for minor pet damage, but it would also be quite a waste of money and fine piece of furniture. In this section, we will help you decide if DIY repair for your damaged furniture is the right choice.

Can I DIY?

DIY repair can be challenging, but with the right preparations, you can definitely do it. Here are three questions you should ask yourself before diving into your DIY repair project:

1. What are your expectations?

You should be able to set your expectations before doing any DIY repair projects. Gauge yourself if you are flexible enough to accept the DIY repair results that will vary depending on skills, time, and effort you put. To proceed with the DIY process, you have to acknowledge that the results can only be as great as the time and effort that you put in. If what you are seeking is strict quality, seeking professional furniture repair help might satisfy you. However, if you do choose DIY repair, then this guide is here to support you all throughout the repair process to achieve a seamless and cost-effective option to saving your home furniture.

2. Can you put in the time and effort required?

It is imperative that you allow the necessary time and effort needed for your repair project. Any DIY repair project requires a certain amount of time and effort, depending on the severity of the repair. If you think you are ready to exert the extra time and effort, then you should definitely give DIY a go.

3. How severe is the pet damage?

Evaluate first the severity of your home furniture damage with the help of our DIY Repair Meter. After the DIY Repair Meter, you will see the repair time and repair options for each pet damages to home furniture.

DIY REPAIR METER

LEATHER FURNITURE PET DAMAGES AND REPAIR OPTIONS

1. Leather Pet Scratches

Leather scratches are one of the most common damages that pet owners experience. Though leather furniture is very durable, sharp claws from animals can still damage the surface. Since the damage is usually only on the surface, this cosmetic damage can be DIY repaired.

Skill Level Required: DIY Beginner

Average Repair Time: 15 minutes - 3 hours

Repair Options:

1. Leather Repair Kit: The easiest way is always the best choice! Coconix has a great collection of leather repair kits designed for all leather colors and common leather damages. You can contact our Coconix Support Team to know which repair kit is the most suitable for your repair project. Then, you can skip to the repair instructions for leather pet scratches!
2. Leather Repair Pens: These are now available in the market but be careful when choosing the right pen color for your leather. Make sure to get the right one as it can make the scratches more visible. Worse, it may look like a child has drawn all over your leather furniture.
3. Leather Repair Balm: If the pet scratches already covers almost your entire furniture, then it's best to recolor your leather. Coconix also offers leather recoloring balms in Dark Brown, Medium Brown, and Pure Black. If you're not sure if this is the right product for your repair project, you may contact us for repair advice.

2. Leather Chews and Bite Marks

Leather chews and bite marks are also some of the most obvious pet damages that you may encounter. These usually freak out pet owners, but no worries! This type of pet damage to leather can be repaired, especially using the right leather repair kit.

Skill Level Required: DIY Beginner - DIY Intermediate

Average Repair Time: 5 hours - 2 days

Repair Options:

1. Leather Repair Kit: Coconix leather repair kits include all the materials you will need in repairing this type of damage. You can get professional results with the help of our Coconix Support Team. Grab your kit and skip to the repair instructions for leather chew and bite marks!
2. Leather Patch: This is an option but is only a temporary fix for your furniture. This is ideal if you have an eyesore pet-chewed spot, no time for repair, and guests are coming over in a day or two.

3. Leather Pet Accidents

Pet urine on leather is pretty severe damage and cannot be repaired yourself. Urine will damage leather deep into its fibers and will leave a pungent odor. It’s best to seek professional help for this type of pet leather accident. For minor pet accidents like dog drooling, a DIY repair is possible, especially for small areas.

Skill Level Required: DIY Pro - Leather Professional

Average Repair Time: 5 hours - 3 days

Repair Options:

1. Leather Repair Kit: This is only possible if the damaged area is small and inconspicuous. Once you have your kit, you can skip to the repair instructions for leather pet accidents!
2. Leather Repair Professional: This is the best option especially for large damaged areas. Large areas damaged by pet urine usually have a strong pungent odor and will require the expertise of leather professionals.

FABRIC FURNITURE PET DAMAGES AND REPAIR OPTIONS

1. Fabric Pet Scratches

Fabric pet scratches are also inevitable for pet owners. Cats, especially, love making fabric couches as their scratching pads. Good thing, these types of fabric damages can be DIY repaired.

Skill Level Required: DIY Beginner

Average Repair Time: 15 minutes - 1 day

Repair Options:

1. DIY Fabric Repair Kit: This is the most effective way to repair furniture scratches. You can easily cover up any scratch or scuffs using the fabric glue and repair fibers included in the kit. You can even match your furniture's color since you have 9 colors to mix! You can skip to the repair instructions using this kit.
2. Ice cubes: This is to wet the furniture fibers slowly, allowing them to soak up the moisture as the cubes melt. Then, use a wide-toothed plastic comb or with the edge of a plastic gift card to comb the area after letting it sit overnight.
3. Vacuum: Some fibers get back up to their original positions by just vacuuming the scuffed or indented area.
4. Steam: There are furniture fibers that are stubborn and the two previous methods might not work. Use a steam, damp lint-free, white cotton cloth and place it over the scuffed area. Then, iron the cloth with a clothes iron. Leave the cloth for hours and wait for it to dry.

2. Fabric Chew Marks

Fabric chew marks are usually medium to large-sized damages that are caused by big dogs. These sizes might make you think that professional help is the only choice. However, with the right fabric repair kit, you can definitely DIY repair it.

Skill Level Required: DIY Intermediate - DIY Pro

Average Repair Time: 1 hour - 8 hours

Repair Options:

1. DIY Fabric Repair Kit: Although this is more severe damage, you can repair it easily with the help of Coconix fabric repair kit. You don't have to worry about your furniture's color since you have 9 colors to mix! Grab a kit and then skip to the repair instructions using this kit.
2. Fabric Patch: This method is done by carefully cutting out the edges of the damaged area and replacing it with a patch of donor fabric of the same size. This will require sewing if you want a stronger hold.
3. Superglue: This method is used for pet damages that have depression in the fabric. Find and cut some excess fabric from an inconspicuous area and prepare fillers like foam or cotton batting. Fill in the depression using foam or cotton batting. It is recommended to use fabric glue to attach the fillers. Then apply a thin layer of superglue and carefully place the excess fabric that you cut from an inconspicuous area over the damaged area.

3. Fabric Pet Accidents

Fabric pet accidents are tedious work but can be DIY repaired. You will first have to remove the odor completely before you can move on repairing any stains that have been left by the urine or vomit.

Skill Level Required: DIY Intermediate - DIY Pro

Average Repair Time: 3 hours - 3 days

Repair Options:

1. DIY Fabric Repair Kit: You can definitely use this after getting rid of the urine or droll odor. This kit will help you cover up any discoloration caused by the pet accident. You can skip to the repair instructions using this kit.
2. Furniture Cover: This is only a temporary fix to cover pet accidents. This doesn't get rid of any pungent odor or remove the discoloration caused by it.
3. Fabric Furniture Professional: For severe pet accidents, you may have to reupholster your furniture or seek the help of fabric furniture professionals.

WOOD FURNITURE PET DAMAGES AND REPAIR OPTIONS

1. Wood Pet Scratches

Pet scratches are usually found on chairs and table legs or bottom areas of wooden furniture. These are far from human sight but can still be unsightly. This type of wood furniture damage can be repaired easily.

Skill Level Required: DIY Beginner

Average Repair Time: 15 minutes - 3 hours

Repair Options:

1. Wood Repair Kit: This is a must-have for pet owners who have a lot of wooden pieces of furniture at home. You can easily fix any pet damage in just under $20! Grab your kit now and skip to the repair instructions using this kit. You can also contact our Coconix Support Team for personalized advice on your repair project.
2. Furniture Anti-Scratch Sprays: This is only to stop your pets from further scratching your furniture but it does not repair the previously damaged areas.

2. Wood Chew and Bite Marks

Dogs love to chew on furniture legs. This type of damage, though it may look severe and hopeless, can definitely be DIYed.

Skill Level Required: DIY Beginner - DIY Intermediate

Average Repair Time: 3 hours - 8 hours

Repair Options:

1. Wood Repair Kit: This is a must-have for pet owners who have a lot of wooden pieces of furniture at home. You can easily fix any pet damage in just under $20! Grab your kit now and skip to the repair instructions using this kit. You can also contact our Coconix Support Team for personalized advice on your repair project.
2. Wood Putty: This is just your average wood putty available in your local hardware stores. You may have to choose a wood putty that will match your wood color.

3. Pet Accidents on Wooden Furniture

Pet accidents on wooden pieces of furniture happen rarely compared to pet accidents on hardwood floors. Pet accidents on wooden furniture are usually experienced by male dog owners since male dogs sometimes pee on furniture legs or bottom areas of cabinets, stairs, or drawers to mark their territory. Since urine can penetrate and destroy wood fibers, you must seek the help of professionals for this type of furniture damage.

Skill Level Required: Wood Professional

Average Repair Time: N/A

Repair Options:

1. Wood Professional: This type of damage will require the help of wood professionals. This is to avoid any further damage to your wooden piece of furniture.

Cons of DIY Repair

Let’s start with the bad news first. There are three disadvantages that you should consider when doing DIY furniture repairs:

1. Time and Energy Consuming

As we always remind DIY beginners, DIY repairs are time-consuming and will require a certain amount of energy and effort. This is if you want to get the best results possible by yourself. You will have to allot a day or two to complete a DIY repair project. This includes preparation time, repair process, drying time, and finishing touches. For bigger repair projects, you may have to allot more than two days as bigger damaged areas may require more drying time and more layers of repair compound.

2. Repair Results May Vary

Because the time and effort allotted depend on you, results may vary. Skill level or experience level may also affect the outcome of the repair. But for DIY beginners, do not be disheartened. With enough preparation, research, this ultimate DIY repair guide, the right DIY repair kit, and our support and advice, you can and will definitely get the best results possible.

3. Unexpected Consequences

There are times that things don’t go as planned. You should always set your expectations and evaluate how much extra cost and extra damage you can accept if your DIY repair doesn’t go as planned. You also have to really weigh up the pros and cons of DIYing it. Your expectations should be based on realistic factors as this will help you avoid disappointments and frustration when things go wrong.

Pros of DIY Repair

Of course, it’s not always bad news. There are also pros that come along with DIY furniture repairs:

1. Learn A New Skill

Doing DIY repairs will make you skillful and knowledgeable in DIY projects. It will also make you confident in doing home repairs on your own. This is recommended if you want to be independent and practical when it comes to maintaining your home and home furniture.

2. Experience Convenience

When you encounter furniture damages, it’s very handy to have your DIY repair kit ready to use. It’s also very convenient to know what to do when you experience any home furniture damage.

3. Save Money

Not only is it very convenient, but DIY repairs would also help you save money compared to professional furniture repairs. We will go into detail about the DIY repair costs versus professional repair costs.

DIY Repair Cost Vs Professional Repair Cost

You will be able to evaluate the costs of your furniture repair using the cost table below. This table will hopefully help you gauge if you prefer the low DIY repair costs or if you are ready for the pricy professional repair.

How much does it cost to have your home furniture repaired by a professional compard to DIY repair costs?

Once you have decided and evaluated your furniture repair costs, you can now proceed to the next sections where we have listed in steps the DIY repair process for each damage type under each furniture category.

Grab your DIY repair kit and carefully follow the instructions below. We strongly recommend that you test all the products first before giving them a go. Check the materials we have listed below and test them first on a small inconspicuous area to make sure that it is safe to use on your furniture surface. We’ll definitely guide you throughout the process and you can contact us anytime during the repair if you have any questions or concerns.

IMPORTANT REMINDER!

Coconix DIY repair kits are safe to use for homes with pets and children. The repair compound does not contain any poisonous ingredients so there is no need to worry. If you ever encounter any issues with the product, we guarantee that you can always contact us anytime during the repair if you have any questions or concerns.

DIY REPAIR METER:

Claw scratches can be repaired through DIY repair according to the DIY repair meter below.

Claw Scratches on Leather Furniture

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• DIY Leather Repair Kit:
• Other Tools:
  1. Cotton swab/cotton pad (Alternative: Clean rag or cloth)
  2. 90% rubbing alcohol (Alternative: Water and mild soap)
  3. Coarse to medium (60-150) sandpaper (for bumpy damages)
  4. Fine brush, toothpick, or any fine applicator (for finer applications)
  5. Nail polish remover (Alternative for alcohol when buffing)

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS:

1. Prepare the damaged area.

It is crucial to remove all grime and dirt before starting the repair as the repair compound won't adhere well on a greasy surface and might flake off over time. Thoroughly clean the area to be repaired and its surrounding with a cotton swab or a cotton pad and 90% rubbing alcohol. Soak the cotton pad or cotton swab with 90% rubbing alcohol and gently apply it to the damaged area. Please firstly test the rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous area to check that it doesn’t remove the color of your leather and proceed carefully. You may use water and mild soap as an alternative if the alcohol damages the surface. Soak a clean rag or cloth with a mild soap mixed with water. Make sure that all the loose dust, dirt, and grime has been removed first.

There are some cases when you will have to lightly sand the damaged area to make it flat and smooth before the repair compound application. This is required when there are bumpy edges of cracks or surface scratches that look etched. Anything that is bumpy, curling, or jagged has to be lightly sanded. Otherwise, it will stay bumpy and elevated after being repaired.

2. Match your leather color.

In order to completely blend the repaired spot, you will need to match the color of your leather or vinyl. It doesn’t have to be a perfect match but making it a very close match will help you get the best-looking professional repair results. Work during the daytime so that you can clearly see the color of your leather or vinyl and compare it with the colors of the repair compounds available in your leather repair kit. If your leather color is one of the most common leather colors like black, tan, burgundy, cream, chocolate, or walnut, then you may be able to use one of the repair compounds straight from the tube. But if you have a little unique or complex leather color, you may need to mix two or more colors in order to achieve a close match. This step in the repair process can be a bit tricky and challenging but do not forget that you can always contact us if you need more tips, we are more than happy to provide personalized advice for your color matching! You can also check out our blog article for frequently requested color mixing recipes and you might find there your leather color match!

For complex leather colors, decide first which will be your main color. Then, select your secondary colors based on the tint that your leather needs. Looking at your color mixing guide will greatly help you in the color matching process! This color mixing guide should be included in your leather repair kit but if you did not find this in your kit, please contact us so we can send you your own copy! You can also download it for free for quicker access. Once you have your main and secondary colors, carefully mix them in the mixing jar. We recommend adding only very tiny hints of each color at a time as a little amount goes a long way. You may adjust the shade of your color mixture by adding white or black repair compounds. Try your mixture on a small, inconspicuous area and wait until it fully dries. Please be patient and make small adjustments until you get the color just right.

3. Apply a thin layer of compound.

After matching your color, apply a thin layer of the repair compound to the damaged area. For this step, you will need the spatula or the brush included in the kit to evenly apply your color mixture. If you need to do finer applications, especially for smaller and more intricate damages, we recommend using a toothpick, a fine brush, or any fine applicator that is suitable for your repair.

4. Allow the compound to dry for several hours.

Drying time depends on the thickness of the applied layer and the relative humidity of the environment. It usually takes a few minutes to an hour for small repairs to completely dry. For medium to large repairs, it may take an hour to a few more hours for the repair compound to fully cure. When doing your repair project, the temperature should be above 50°F ideally.

For these types of damage, it usually only requires 1-2 coats of the repair compound to completely cover the damage. However, for some cracks or small punctures, you may need to apply multiple thin layers to rebuild the damaged area until it is level with the surrounding area and completely covered. Please allow drying time between each layer application. The repair compound is not only paint, but it also contains leather filler and adhesive and dries to a leather-like finish. The repair holds very strong, often outlives the actual material.

If you encounter any drying issues with your repair project, try the next step immediately. If the next step does not solve your issue, please contact us right away and send a photo of your repair’s current state.

5. Buff and blend the repaired spot.

When the repair compound is dry, use a cotton pad or a cotton swab with 90% rubbing alcohol to buff the edges. Carefully blend the edges of the repaired area to match it with the rest of the leather. Buffing it with alcohol will also remove any stickiness or tacky feel left in the repaired area.

If 90% rubbing alcohol does not remove the stickiness or tacky feeling, check the rubbing alcohol you are using. Please make sure the alcohol is not expired, as it affects the outcome. Alternatively, you may use nail polish remover. We recommend using a cotton swab to carefully rub the repair compound only, as the nail polish remover may remove the color of your leather.

Claw Scratches on Fabric Furniture

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• DIY Fabric Repair Kit:
• Other Tools:
  1. Rubberband
  2. Clear hairspray

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS:

1. Prepare the area.

Prepare the damaged area by trimming off loose threads or jagged bits and cleaning it with a household cleaner.

2. Mix and shake.

Fill the color fibers into the empty jar. Add the metal ball into the mixing jar, screw the lid on, and shake the jar for at least 30 seconds. Remove the metal ball and secure the mesh to the jar with the rubber band to create a sifter.

3. Apply a thin layer of glue.

Apply the glue to the damaged area, and work from the outside to the center to avoid air bubbles. Fill the damaged area as evenly as possible. Also, apply a thin layer of glue around the damage to blend in the repair.

4. Sift the repair fibers.

Hold the mixing jar above the adhesive upside down and gently tap the mixing jar. This will sift the fibers on the adhesive. Cover the fabric glue completely with fiber. Gently pack down the fibers with the spatula. Duplicate any fabric patterns such as lines or swirls with the spatula.

5. Let the area dry.

Allow 24 hours to dry. Once the fabric glue is fully dry, blow off excess fibers. If the repaired area gets hard wear, you can protect it by spraying a clear hairspray over the area.

Claw Scratches on Wood Furniture

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• DIY Wood Repair Kit:
• Other Tools:
  1. Microfiber cloth
  2. Fine brush (if the included brush in the kit is not refined enough)
  3. Paper towel

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS:

1. Clean and remove any debris.

Start by cleaning the damaged area and removing any debris. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.

2. Apply and smooth out.

Apply the repair compound to the damaged area. Use the spatula for larger applications and the brush for surface applications and detail touch-ups. Use a fine brush of your preference if the brush in the kit is too big for details and grain pattern creation. Smooth out the surface and wipe off the excess with a paper towel.

3. Allow dry time.

Allow several hours to dry until the repair compound is no longer sticky to touch. If needed, apply additional layers until the repaired area is flush with the rest.

Pet accidents on furniture are one of the hardest furniture damages that you may encounter. These accidents will not only damage the appearance of your furniture but will also leave a pungent smell, especially if not handled correctly. Carefully read the instructions below to repair this type of furniture damage.

DIY REPAIR METER:

Pet accidents on furniture require expert help however for leather and fabric furniture, there are still cases when you can DIY repair the pet accident damage.

Pet Accidents on Leather Furniture

IMPORTANT REMINDER!

Pet urine on leather needs professional repair help. However, there are minor pet accidents like a dog drooling that can be DIY repaired. A dog’s drool can leave a stain or discoloration on your leather. You can try the steps below to DIY repair your leather furniture.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• DIY Leather Repair Kit:
• Other Tools:
  1. Cotton swab/cotton pad (Alternative: Clean rag or cloth)
  2. 90% rubbing alcohol (Alternative: Water and mild soap)
  3. Sponge, cotton applicator, or fine brush
  4. Nail polish remover (Alternative for alcohol when buffing)

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS:

1. Clean and remove grime and dirt.

Since you are working on the surface of the leather, this step is a very important part of the repair. Carefully and thoroughly clean the damaged area with a cotton swab or a cotton pad and rubbing alcohol. Please first check if the rubbing alcohol removes the color of your leather and then proceed carefully. If the leather color is affected by alcohol, please only use water and mild soap when cleaning. Make sure that the spot to be treated has been thoroughly cleaned as it will help the repair compound adhere well to the leather surface.

2. Mix, match, and adjust your color mixture.

Your goal for this repair project is to “get the color back” of the faded, bleached, discolored, or stained spot. So, you will have to spend more time matching the color of your leather. We recommend trying your color mixture first on a small inconspicuous area and waiting for it to dry. This way, you will know what colors to add and if the shade needs to be adjusted by adding hints of black and white to your color mixture.

3. Apply and let dry.

After matching your color, please use any type of applicator, such as a sponge, a cotton applicator, or a brush to apply a thin layer of compound to the discolored area. Make sure that you are careful when applying each of the layers, as you are working on the leather surface and you wouldn’t want to create a bumpy or elevated spot by using too many layers of the repair compound. Allow the compound to dry for several hours. When the compound is dry, use a cotton pad or a cotton swab with 90% rubbing alcohol to buff the edges.

Pet Accidents on Fabric Furniture

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• DIY Fabric Repair Kit:
• Other Tools:
  1. Fabric Stain and Odor Eliminator
  2. Rubberband
  3. Clear hairspray

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS:

1. Remove stain and odor.

Prepare the damaged area by trimming off loose threads or jagged bits and cleaning it with a fabric stain and odor eliminator. Try your best to remove as much stain as possible and eliminate the odor completely.

2. Mix the fibers.

Fill the color fibers into the empty jar. Add the metal ball into the mixing jar, screw the lid on, and shake the jar for at least 30 seconds. Remove the metal ball and secure the mesh to the jar with the rubber band to create a sifter.

3. Fill the damaged area.

Apply a very thin layer of glue to the damaged area. Fill the damaged area as evenly as possible.

4. Sift the repair fibers.

Hold the mixing jar above the adhesive upside down and gently tap the mixing jar. This will sift the fibers on the adhesive. Cover the fabric glue completely with fiber. Gently pack down the fibers with the spatula. Duplicate any fabric patterns such as lines or swirls with the spatula.

5. Allow dry time.

Allow 24 hours to dry. Once the fabric glue is fully dry, blow off excess fibers. If the repaired area gets hard wear, you can protect it by spraying a clear hairspray over the area.

Pet Accidents on Wood Furniture

For pet accidents on wooden pieces of furniture, it will be necessary to seek professional help. Dog/cat urine can still penetrate the wood, resulting in discoloration and an ammonia-like stench and it is almost impossible to get rid of the smell.

Pet owners know and experience almost the same things. Check out our bonus infographic below that you will surely relate to!