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Yes, you can repair cat scratches on leather furniture. A quick fix that won’t repair roughness is a leather recoloring balm that helps scratches blend in. Otherwise, use the following process.

1. Clean the area and trim loose fibers.

2. Rub leather binding glue all over the affected area.

3. Sand the area down with fine-grit sandpaper and clean off any residue.

4. Fill holes, scratches, and gouges with leather putty from a leather repair kit.

5. Sand the area down again and clean off any residue.

6. Apply leather colorant in several layers.

7. Seal the color in with a leather sealant and finish.

To prepare furniture for moving, detach furniture legs if possible. If the legs must stay on, wrap them with foam wrap or taped blankets to help prevent damage. You can also buy dedicated moving “socks” for furniture legs.

It’s possible to make minor repairs yourself on leather furniture, including using patch kits and leather repair kits. For minor leather scratches that haven’t breached the surface, repair kits can work wonders. However, we strongly recommend leaving any extensive leather repair to professionals, including deep scratches, tears, peeling, and reupholstering. These repairs demand experience to get the final product to look professional, and inexperienced DIYers may cause additional damage to the furniture that demands further repairs.

It is often worthwhile to refinish or restore furniture, especially for high-quality, older, antique, or sentimental pieces. Older furniture tends to have better durability than modern, mass-produced items, and refinishing can cost about one-third of the price of replacement. To determine if it's cost-effective, compare quotes from local refinishing services with the price of a new, similar piece. Refinishing can refresh a piece's look and extend its lifespan. However, it may not be worth it for newer furniture made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or plywood, or for items with major structural damage. A professional can help you assess the piece and decide on the best course of action.