Let’s patch-up: How these repair services bring objects back to life

Who knew there was so much power in a single cotton bud? In repairing videos online, the little sticks do all the heavy lifting. They tease grime from the corners of expensive leather pouches. They apply just the right shade of red to the scuffed sole of a designer shoe. They deposit the glue that reunites buttons. They turn ASMR content into a rallying call for fixing, reusing and making a pricey product last a little longer.