When you find shallow scratches on your hardwood floor, you may worry that you will have to refinish your floors. The good news is that you can often repair shallow scratches without a lot of trouble. In fact, some methods don’t even require that you sand the floor.
If you address this type of scratch when you find them, you can prevent them from becoming more harmful to your floors. Take a look at some of the methods you can use to fix small scratches on your hardwood floor.
Clean the Floors
If you see scratches on your wood floors, you can try to clean them first. These scratches may not need repairing, but they will look worse than they are because dirt gets trapped in them. Over time, the dirt will actually cause the scratches to become worse because it will be ground into the floor.
When you clean the floors, you don’t want to use any kind of abrasive pads or brooms. You should also avoid soaking the floor with water. Start with your vacuum and try to pull the dirt out of the scratches and off the floor. Then, you can go over it with a soft mop.
Take a few drops of liquid soap that is made for wood floors, and mix it in a spray bottle with water. Then, you can gently mist over the area of the floor with this mixture. Next, take your soft mop, preferably a dry microfiber mop, and wipe the solution back and forth on the floor. You can then spray warm water and buff the floor with a soft cloth. Make sure that the cloth is dry. If the scratch is minor, this process might make it invisible to your eye.
Sand the Scratches
Don’t worry that this is going to turn into a drawn-out process; you can take a fine-grained sandpaper and use it to remove the shallow scratches. Start by sanding in the direction of the wood grain. Be gentle, and sand until the floor is smooth again. You may need to touch up this area with stain because the sandpaper will buff it off.
It is a good idea to patch test the floor before you apply the stain. You can find an area of the floor that is in the closet or under a major piece of furniture. Make sure that the color of the stain matches the rest of your floor. You should also test the urethane sealant.
Once you know that the stain color is going to match, go ahead and apply it to the area where you sanded. Then, let it dry. Once it is dry, you can apply a layer of urethane sealant on top. You should also make sure that the floor is completely clean and dry before you apply the stain and the finish.
Rub Walnuts or Coconut Oil over the Scratches
Most people are unaware that walnuts contain natural emollients. When you rub them into a worn area of the floor, they can make the floor look great again. When you rub the walnut over the scratch, it will release its oils into the floor. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then you can buff it with a clean, soft cloth.
You can also add coconut oil to the scratches. Brush it over the scratch and let it sit for a few minutes. Then buff it with your clean, soft cloth. It will help remove any shallow scratches and protect your floor going forward.
Try a Baking Soda and Olive Oil Concoction
Another natural concoction that you can use to fix scratches on our wood floor is baking soda and olive oil. First, you should vacuum the floor. Make sure that you remove all of the dirt and dust from the floor.
Then, you can make your mixture. Take some baking soda and put a few drops of olive oil in it. Then, use a clean, soft rag to apply it to the scratches. Let it sit for about five minutes, and then you can buff the floor with a soft, clean sponge. Next, you should clean it with a damp cloth and then dry it. It should remove any shallow scratches so that they are no longer visible.
Use Wood Stain to Minimize the Appearance of Shallow Scratches
This option is more labor-intensive, but it does a great job of minimizing your scratches. You can choose a wood stain that will work on your floor. The stain should be the same base as your current stain, so use oil-based stain over oil-based stain or a water-based stain over a water-based stain.
Once you find the right stain, you will want to fill in the scratch with it. Make sure that you remove any excess stain with a Q-tip, and then let it dry before you walk on it or put anything over it. You can also look for a blending pencil or a stain marker, but you need to make sure that you find one that matches your existing stain. These fill-in markers will also come with instructions for use, so be sure to follow them. Then, let the area dry before you walk on it.
Use a Scratch-Removal Repair Product
You can find products that work for shallow scratch repair. They will clean, polish, and reduce the appearance of any shallow scratches on your floor. This includes scratches from dirt, pets, shoes, or furniture. The products come in different tones, and it usually has oil in it. The oil protects your floors and repairs the damage to the floor. Once you apply it, it will help to get rid of your shallow scratches.
Use a Product Designed to Revive Wood Floors
You can also find products on the market that revive wood floors. When you use these products, you won’t have to sand or buff them. The best thing to do is to clean the floor and make sure that there isn’t any dirt or dust. Then, apply one coat of this product with a paint pad. Let it dry, and your floor will look good as new. Make sure that you choose the sheen that matches your floors.
Repair the Floors
If your shallow scratches turn out not to be so shallow, you will want to repair the damage. You can use a wood filler and then sand and paint it to match the floor, and your floor will look as if it is brand-new. This does a great job of filling in the scratches so they won’t be able to do further damage.
Final Words
When you have wood floors, you will want to keep them looking their best. Although it is partially aesthetic, it is also important because wood is hygroscopic, and it easily absorbs any moisture in the room. Scratches make it easier for water to get into the wood.
There are a number of different ways to fix the scratches in your wood, and the best option depends on how deep your scratches are and where they are located. Choose the best one for your floors to protect them and get rid of your scratches.