How to Repair Minor Damage to Leather Furniture

Clean and Recondition

• 1

  Saturate a rag in lukewarm water and squeeze out. Rub the rag over a bar of Castile soap. Rub the leather briskly, working the soap over the leather furniture.

• 2

  Clean off the soap with another damp rag. Buff the piece with a soft, dry rag. This may be all that is needed to improve the leather's natural gloss, according to University of Georgia Extension.

• 3

  Rub neat's-foot oil into extremely dry natural leather to ameliorate cracking. Use castor oil on dark leather that was made with a glossy finish. Petroleum jelly helps restore light-colored leather furniture, according to University of Georgia Extension.

Tears

• 4

  Look at the damaged area with a magnifying glass. Examine the grain of the leather and find the grain paper inside your purchased leather repair kit that matches the grain. Set the grain paper to one side, keeping it close to the damaged leather.

• 5

  Dip the toothpick into the adhesive that came with your leather repair kit. Rub the adhesive carefully over the scratched or torn piece of leather. Apply an even layer of the adhesive and smooth out the adhesive with the toothpick.

• 6

  Hold the grain paper up to the leather. Move the paper around until the grain of the paper matches with the natural grain of the leather. Place the paper directly against the adhesive and gently press it down with your hand.

• 7

  Press the heat applicator from the leather repair kit against the grain paper. Use a smooth motion as you gently rub against the paper. Continue rubbing for three minutes or until you notice the paper peeling away. Gently tug the paper away and the adhesive covers scratches or rips.