Leather furniture can instantly add a touch of sophistication and elegance to any home. But if your leather starts creaking, squeaking and generally being noisy, it not only takes away from the luxuriousness, but makes it uncomfortable to relax in or have conversations.
Thankfully, there are a few simple solutions on how to stop faux leather from squeaking and getting your faux leather furniture back into quieting mode is easier than you think! In this blog post we will discuss all the things you need to know about preventing and fixing those inconvenient creaky noises from coming from your beloved pieces of leather.
7 Reasons You Need to Faux Leather From Squeaking
Faux leather, also known as pleather or vinyl, is a widely used material that mimics the look and feel of real leather. It’s popular because it’s inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to clean. Unfortunately, though, faux leather can be prone to squeaking when you sit on furniture or move around.
1. No Elegance
Squeaky faux leather furniture can be a real eyesore. It detracts from the overall elegance of your home and makes it difficult to feel proud of your decor. To ensure that your furniture always looks its best, you need to stop the squeaking as soon as possible. It’s not only unsightly, but it can be distracting and disruptive in conversations.
2. Not Enough Comfort
Nobody likes sitting on a squeaky chair or couch. It makes it difficult to relax and get comfortable, which defeats the purpose of having furniture in the first place. Instead of enduring the discomfort, you should take steps to prevent the squeaking and restore your furniture’s comfort level.
3. Get Rid of Stress
The constant noise can be a source of stress, particularly if you live in a small space. To reduce this stress, it’s important to address the problem quickly and eliminate the noise as soon as possible. This way, you can enjoy your furniture without the annoyance of squeaking.
4. Quality of Air
Squeaky faux leather furniture can also affect the quality of air in your home. It releases tiny particles into the air that can cause breathing issues, particularly for people with allergies or asthma. To keep these particles from entering your home, you need to apply a protective coating to your furniture and regularly clean it.
5. Reducing Spills
Faux leather can be difficult to keep clean, especially if you have young children or pets. Squeaking can also make spills and messes more likely, as people tend to move around when they hear noise coming from the furniture. To reduce this risk, you should stop the squeaking and apply a protective coating that makes it easier to clean up messes.
6. Prevent Damage
Squeaky faux leather furniture can also lead to damage over time. The constant friction of sitting on the surface can cause wear and tear, which will eventually require costly repairs or replacements. To prevent this, you should take steps to reduce the squeaking right away and regularly maintain your furniture with a conditioning product.
7. Forming Constriction in Your Mind
When you’re constantly hearing squeaking from your furniture, it can be difficult to concentrate and relax. Stopping the noise will make it much easier to focus on tasks without being distracted by the sound of squeaks. It also helps keep your mind clear and prevents constriction in your thinking.
Squeaky faux leather furniture can be a nuisance and a distraction. When you are reading this article on how to stop faux leather from squeaking, it’s important to address the issue quickly by identifying the cause and taking steps to stop it from happening. Taking the time to maintain your furniture will also help reduce wear and tear and keep it looking its best.
11 Best Methods on How to Stop Faux Leather From Squeaking
1. Clean the Area
Start by cleaning the surface where the squeaking is occurring with a gentle cleaner or damp cloth to remove any dirt and debris that could be contributing to the noise. When the area is completely dry, move onto the next steps. Removing any dirt can help reduce the amount of friction between the parts, reducing squeaking.
If you don’t feel comfortable cleaning the surface of your faux leather yourself, you can contact a professional upholstery cleaner.
2. Lubricate
Sometimes applying a lubricant such as petroleum jelly or silicone spray to the surface where the leather is rubbing against another part can help reduce or eliminate squeaking. Make sure to apply a thin layer and spread it evenly over the area. If the squeaking persists, you may need to use a stronger lubricant.
3. Glue
Applying an adhesive such as wood glue or super glue between the two surfaces can help reduce friction and stop the squeaking. Be sure to apply it thinly and allow ample time for drying before testing it out. Make sure that you are not gluing any moving parts together or else this method will not be effective.
4. Install Pads
You can also try installing pads between the two surfaces to reduce friction and eliminate squeaking. This could include foam, felt, or rubber adhesive pads. Be sure to cut them into smaller pieces so that they fit snugly between the two surfaces. If needed, you can also use a heavy-duty adhesive to secure the pads.
5. Inspect and Re-tighten
Inspect all moving parts of your faux leather furniture to make sure they are properly tightened. Loose screws or nuts can cause squeaking, so making sure that everything is securely in place should help reduce the noise. Re-tighten any loose screws or nuts with a screwdriver and make sure that the surface is fully dry before moving onto the next step.
6. Add Mass
Adding some mass to the leather furniture can help reduce squeaking by increasing friction between the two surfaces. This could include adding foam padding, felt pads, or rubber strips. You can also try using rubber bands, washers, or pieces of fabric to add additional mass.
7. Reupholster
This is an extreme measure that should be taken as a last resort when all other methods have failed to stop squeaking in faux leather furniture. If the upholstery is severely worn or sagging, you may need to reupholster the furniture in order to stop squeaking. After reupholstering, make sure to inspect the furniture and apply wax or conditioner to keep it looking its best.
8. Use Nail Polish
Nail polish can also be used to reduce friction and stop squeaking. Apply a thin layer of clear nail polish to the two surfaces where they are rubbing together, and allow ample time for drying before testing it out. Make sure not to use colored nail polish as it can cause discoloration.
9. Use a Leather Conditioner
Using a leather conditioner on the surface of your faux leather furniture can help reduce friction and eliminate squeaking. Make sure to apply the conditioner evenly over the surface, and avoid getting any on metal parts or hardware as this may cause corrosion. In case of any staining, you can contact a professional upholstery cleaner.
10. Repair Cracks
If you notice any cracks, either in the leather or in the underlying material, it could be causing friction when it rubs against another part and leading to squeaking. If possible, repair these cracks with a liquid leather filler or other type of sealant. This will help reduce or eliminate the squeaking.
11. Remove Excess Moisture
Moisture can cause faux leather items to squeak, so make sure you’ve removed all excess moisture. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the surface, and then let it air dry for several hours before testing it out. Yes, if this doesn’t work, you may need to use additional methods such as lubricants or glues.
The following article on how to stop faux leather from squeaking, these methods and tips should help reduce or eliminate squeaking in faux leather furniture pieces. If the squeaking persists after trying all of the methods outlined above, you may need to consider replacing the furniture altogether.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, regular cleaning, lubrication, and conditioning of your faux leather is the key to keeping it from squeaking. Keep in mind that some types of faux leather materials are inherently more susceptible to squeaking than others. If you invest in good quality faux leather and care for it properly, you should be able to go many years without hearing any of those irritating squeaks.
Additionally, products such as vinyl conditioners can help keep your faux leather items squeak-free by providing a natural lubricant which will decrease any friction that may cause noise.
Fortunately, this problem can be easily remedied if addressed quickly by taking the above steps or investing in an appropriate lubricant or conditioner to apply on an ongoing basis. Hopefully this guide has provided you with enough information on how to stop faux leather from squeaking so that you never have to deal with it again.