How to Waterproof a Leather Couch for Outdoor?

Leather furniture is a gorgeous choice for nearly any area of your home. The classic appeal and unique texture give it the versatility to work in many different spaces. However, that classic appeal is not always best for all kinds of situations. If you have leather furniture in an outdoor space, for example, you might want to waterproof the furniture to protect it from outdoor elements after a little time outside. Follow the steps in this article to waterproof a leather couch or loveseat from all types of weather.

It’s important to waterproof your leather couch for outdoor use. Leather is a porous material, which means it absorbs water and loses its shape. If you want your couch to last longer, use a waterproofing product on it.

Key Takeaways

• Importance of waterproofing a leather couch, why it is necessary.
• Types of leather used in making an outdoor couch.
• Different methods of waterproofing leather couches.
• Step-by-step process of the waterproofing.
• Increase the lifespan of your couch through waterproofing.

Why waterproof a leather couch?

Most couches that are used outdoors are not covered with protective coatings like other furniture pieces. This means the couch will become wet if exposed to rain for long periods. In some cases, this can cause permanent damage to the leather finish on the furniture piece.

If you want to keep your couch safe from the elements, it’s important that you waterproof it properly. Before going to that, you need to know what types of leather are used on couches.

Types of Leather for Couch

For a couch, the most commonly used is full grain and top grain leather will always be the best choice. This quality of the leather is more expensive than any other. This leather will give you a gorgeous look and a smooth touch of furniture. Pigmented leather also provides the same quality with a luxurious looking. This leather is the most durable.

There few different leather qualities that offer a similar look at a much lower price. Such as bi-cast, bonded, nubuck, and faux leather. Genuine leather is the same type of animal skin leather. There are lots of other leathers used to make an outdoor couches. Most of them act similarly when they come close to water.

Several ways to waterproof a leather couch:

There are many different ways to protect your leather couch from weather elements. These waterproofing methods are effective and work really well on any kind of leather surface. Let’s discuss this in detail.

Silicone spray

Silicon spray on waterproofing is the most common and easy way of treating leather furniture. It comes in a spray bottle and can be applied to the surface or inside the cushion. This treatment does not require removing any of your furniture from its original location, but it does need time to dry before using again.

Beeswax cream

Beeswax cream is a natural waterproofing element for leather furniture. You will find many beeswaxes in the market. Ask for leather beeswax before buying. This specific leather wax will keep your couch smooth and oil-free. You also need 1 cup of virgin olive oil to mix with the wax and make the serum.

Leather sealant finish

Waterproofing leather couch with the help of a leather sealant finish works as pre-protection. Sealants can protect the leather surface from water and duct. But for a leather couch, it is more water resistant, not totally waterproof. Use it to re-finish your existing leather couch. This long-lasting formula will offer durable protection that will last for months and create a force of protection against daily outdoor use.

Asphalt

Waterproofing with asphalt can also be used on leather furniture for outdoor use, but it’s not as effective as spray-on products because of its thickness and texture. This type of treatment must be applied by an experienced professional who knows how to apply this type of protection correctly for it to protect your couch over time without losing its shape.

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How to Waterproof a Leather Couch for Outdoor?

A leather couch is a great investment, but it’s also an object that requires careful care. Protecting your furniture from the elements is important, especially if you are going to be spending some time outdoors. A waterproof leather couch will last longer and look better over time.

There are several ways you can waterproof your leather couch to keep it protected from rain and other elements of nature.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. The first step is removing all the couch cushions. Place them on newspaper or an old towel to keep them from getting dusty, and then take them outside.
2. Determine the type of leather you have. Several types of leather have different water resistance levels, so make sure you choose one that’s right for your couch.
3. Clean up your couch’s leather surface with a soft brush or fabric piece. Use washing powder to wash the whole external area. Check every corner, and use a brush to reach out.
4. Then keep it as it is and wait. Let the couch dry properly for a few hours.
5. Once the couch is clean, apply the waterproofing beeswax cream, silicon spray, or sealer on a clean cloth or brush, and spread it evenly over the surface of the leather. Keep rubbing to make sure that every inch is covered with wax, silicon spray, or asphalt. Do not use too much of any of these.

6. Allow waterproofing to set in and dry. Continue this process several times. Establish a fine finish all over the couch.
7. Once everything has dissolved and dried out completely (you can test this by pouring some water over one of your pillows), place as many cushions back onto their original positions as possible.

Will waterproofing increase the lifespan of leather furniture?

Yes, waterproofing or re-waterproofing a leather couch makes it more durable. It gives the leather material to gain its full potential once again. Many people think that waterproofing with silicon spray, wax cream, or leather sealant finish will damage the leather surface anyway. But, it is not true though.

Remember, only leather-based materials can be used to waterproof your couch. There are lots of other creams, sealant, and spray you may think of using which can badly damage your leather couch.

To use asphalt, make sure to select the right one and read instructions and precautions before use. Using the wrong asphalt in the wrong way will result in you being sad about your own mistakes.

FAQs

1. What is waterproofing?

Waterproofing is a protective coating that protects the material from moisture and water damage. The process involves applying a substance to a surface so that it becomes impermeable to water. This can be done using various types of materials, such as paint or glue.

2. Can you keep a leather couch outside?

You can protect your leather furniture by putting it where sunlight never strikes it directly. Sunlight may over time cause dying of color on the outside surface. And the UV rays will damage any surface, eventually even leather.

3. What to do if a leather couch gets rained on?

If your leather is wet then grab a clean cloth and spot up as much water as you can. It is important that you don’t wipe here, lest you be rubbing the moisture further in. Set your leather couch down on a fabric surface or other absorbent surface. Work your way around to dry it until you have detached as much moisture as you can.

4. Can real leather be waterproof?

Leather and water do not like each other. Despite the fact that leather has some inherent water resistance. This is OK if it comes into touch with little amounts of water, for example, light rain. But real animal leather is a porous material and it will never be completely waterproof.

Final Thoughts

You can waterproof a leather couch outdoors by applying a waterproofing cream to the surface of the couch. It may require several coats to be effective, depending on how much water and dirt are on the surface. After you apply the waterproofing cream, you’ll want to let it dry thoroughly before using it outdoors.

You can also make your leather couch more durable by sealing any tears or holes with a patching compound. This will make sure that no more water gets through and that your couch lasts longer in wet conditions.

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