A leather tabletop subject to use and abuse over the years will eventually require maintenance. Scratches, scuffs or discolorations render leather unsightly; and dust, moisture and debris may produce the leather look somewhat grungy or boring. Leather cleaners or repair kits have that leather looking fine once again, restoring it to a finish that looks as good as brand new.

Simple Stain Removal

White vinegar comes to the rescue for small stains that mar the look of a leather tabletop. Start with a fairly diluted mixture of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water; soften a microfiber cloth with the option. Blot the cloth over the stain, rubbing gently. Raise the amount of vinegar from the solution if the stain does not dissipate, but maintain the leather rather dry. A small quantity of a light moisturizing wax or soap cleaner on the cloth may help, as well. Dust or wipe the leather surface clean before removing stains, to get the best outcomes. White toothpaste applied to a damp cloth and rubbed over the area also removes some leather stains. Wipe the toothpaste away with a damp cloth.

Shallow Scratch Maintenance

A bit of white vinegar on a soft cloth, applied to your leather scrape, swells up the leather a little, which makes the scratch less obvious. Once it dries, apply clear shoe shine or shine in a color matching the leather, rubbing it into mix with the surrounding area.

Moisturizing Dry, Dull Leather

If the leather tabletop is in relatively good shape but appears dull or dehydrated, a leather conditioner restores both moisture and shine. You can use an excellent leather conditioner, or even create your own by mixing 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts food-grade olive oil. Rub the mixture on with a microfiber cloth and let it soak overnight. Buff it away using a clean, soft cloth.

Cuts and Gouges

Fix severe cuts, scrapes or gouges that leave gaps in the leather tabletop using a leather repair fix solution. These liquid-based kits feature a variety of tints so it’s possible to mix a color to match the leather. After its combined, put on the solution over the harm with the very small spatula included with the kit, working in thin layers. A grain paper, also from the kit, which goes atop the wet repair; ironing over the paper transfers a leatherlike dot above the stain and smooths the surface so the end is constant. Test the tinted material on an inconspicuous area first to be sure the color matches the leather. In the event of severe harm, like warped or shredded leather, then the entire leather tabletop may need to be replaced. Specialty retailers carry replacing leather toppers.