Whether you’re looking to spruce up your living room or refresh your space entirely, a new piece of furniture is almost always a great place to start. After all, that’s where we spend the majority of our time as we try to escape from the outside world and relax. Whether you have an old piece that needs a little TLC or you just want to add some colour to something neutral, there are plenty of ways to bring new life into your existing pieces. One way is through dyes. Dyes are a lot simpler than you might think and can be used with different types of leather, giving them a new look without going out and buying a completely new sofa just for the sake either. To find out how easy it is, read on for instructions on how to dye leather sofas.
What Is Dyeing?
Dyeing is the process of applying colour to natural materials like leather, cloth, or wood. It’s the perfect way to add colour to your entire couch without buying a new piece. This will ultimately save you money and if you are sentimental about your furniture, this is the perfect way to bring back its original colour without having to get rid of anything.
How To Dye A Leather Sofa: Tools You’ll Need
Soapy Water – A soap is used to create the suds for applying the dye. You’ll need a liquid soap that doesn’t contain bleach. If the soap contains bleach, it will affect the colour of the leather.
Bucket – A bucket is used to mix the dye, add it to the leather, and hold the dye until it’s dry. – Spoon – A spoon is used to stir the dye, which keeps it evenly mixed.
Leather Sofa Dyes – Leather conditioner is used to keep the leather soft and prevent cracking. It’s a good idea to use a conditioner that isn’t oil-based, as it won’t affect the colour.
Colour – Colour is what you use to dye the leather. You can buy colour separately, or you can get it mixed at a craft store.
Gloves – Gloves are worn to keep your hands and clothes clean while dyeing.
Clean applicator cloth- Use this when applying the dye to your leather sofa and to make sure your sofa is clean.
Step 1: Leather Prep
Before you can dye the leather, you need to condition it. This will keep the leather soft, prevent severe cracks, and help the colour adhere to the leather better. So, first, pour some leather conditioner into a bucket. Then, clean the leather with dish soap. This will remove any oil from the leather that may cause discolouration when the colour is applied. Next, be sure to let the leather dry completely. While the leather is drying, you can prep your room for dyeing. This will prevent any dye from getting on your walls or floors. It will also give you somewhere to mix the colour, as well as some space for rinsing the leather dye out of buckets.
Step 2: Application of Colour
Using gloves to protect your skin from any staining, shake the bottle of dye so that everything is evenly mixed. Using a clean applicator cloth, apply the necessary amount of dye. You may want to start off in small areas to make sure the light coats of the dye takes well to the sofa and matches the colour. Treat this as a base coat rather than the final product. If the bottle of colourant meets your standards, then carry on applying with a light pressure, being extra cautious not to leave streaks of excess dye.
Step 3: Drying the Dye
This might be the most important part when ensuring this process works. Once you have made sure you have applied the dye equally, without any gaps or smudges present, you must leave time for it to settle in and dry. If you want to speed up the drying process, you can use a hairdryer to dry spots that are taking a while. This also does a great job at preventing the dye from streaking for the perfect finish.
Step 4: Repeating the Process
After letting the entire leather couch dry, the same process can be repeated. You can use the clean cloth to apply the dye the leather, using thin layers to build it up to the pigment that you desire. Depending on the leather, you may want to lightly rub the colour into the leather with a dry cloth or apply it in small strokes. This will depend on the colour you’re using. Once the colour is on the leather, allow it to dry completely. This will take between 6-8 hours maybe, depending on the leather types
Final Step
Once everything is dry and the leather is completely dry (you can tell by touching it and seeing if it absorbs any moisture), you can remove the gloves, wipe down any spilt dye, and examine your work. Depending on the leather, you may or may not want to buff the leather to a shine. If you do, be sure to wash the glove off your hand and keep it away from other leather as you don’t want to cause any discolouration. Once the leather is completely dry, it should feel and look better than before.
Conclusion
Dyeing a leather sofa is easier than you might think. With a little preparation, a few tools, and a little patience, you can give your couch a new look without any major renovations. Keep these tips in mind as you try to dye your leather sofas, and you’ll be sure to give them a new look without going out and buying a new piece.