Top Tips for DIY Furniture Repair

Off the Curb, Inc. believes there are 4 Stages of furniture waste reduction. The first stage is repair.

How Do We Define Repair?

Repaired items are items you already own, items that have wear and tear and/or breakage but are still usable and wanted. These are items that you fix or someone else fixes, and you continue to use the items in their usual manner.

Simple At-Home Fixes

Scratches

· Crayon fill (use a blow dryer to melt the crayon into the scratch; buff away excess)

· Very strong coffee (apply with cotton ball or rag)

· Shoe polish (apply with soft cloth)

· Peanut butter (leave it on for an hour, and then buff off)

· Petroleum Jelly (leave it overnight, and then buff off)

Water Marks

Note: White rings can usually be handled at home. Dark rings usually mean the damage is deeper and professional refinishing is warranted.

· Mayo (leave on for at least an hour and up to overnight)

· Table salt over the spot (rub it out with a cloth that's been moistened with mineral or lemon oil)

Worn and/or Torn Leather

· Restore with saddle soap or neatsfoot oil

· Repair torn leather with a neoprene rubber adhesive (contact cement) placed under the flap of the tear. Smooth the wrinkles and bubbles out of the damaged area, and then wipe away any adhesive that seeps out onto the surrounding areas. After a couple hours of drying time, you can apply leather conditioner to the repaired area for a fresh look.

Help keep furniture off the curb and out of landfills. Your donation of as little as $12 saves and rehomes one piece of furniture. Text GIVE 12 to (844) 326-4739.