Whilst laminate floor is very scratch resistant and highly durable, marks and scratches can always happen.
Whether it is a scuff off someone’s shoes, or lines across the floor from moving around furniture, there will always be a new mark or scratch on your laminate flooring.
The important thing to remember is that they are not permanent, and there are many ways to remove scratch marks from laminate floors without breaking the bank or hiring a professional.
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Removing and repairing scratch marks from your laminate flooring is an easy task, and all of the tools you need can be purchased online with simplicity!
Depending on the severity of the scratch, you can easily remove the mark with an eraser, cover it with a touch up marker, or fill deeper marks with laminate putty.
So, if you are ready to make your own home improvements, then follow our guide of how to fix and remove scratches from your laminate floors!
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How do you remove scratch marks from laminate floors?
If there are small superficial scratches or marks on your laminate floors, then they can be removed in a matter of seconds.
Some of the lighter scuffs from shoes or light scrapes can be removed quickly with an eraser, or a little cleaning.
We recommend that you use a laminate floor cleaner first, in order to remove any stains or grime from your laminate flooring before repairing the marks.
Ensure that the floor is completely dry before attempting to repair the damage. This can be done with a microfiber cloth to remove any leftover debris or dust.
Once the laminate floor has been cleansed, you can reevaluate how severe the mark is. If it is a light mark upon the surface of the laminate flooring, then you can use a colored pen to disguise it.
Laminate Markers
If the scuffs simply will not budge even after cleaning, then you can also purchase marker pens that will match your laminate flooring.
These wood markers are meant for stains and scratches, and will cover any small marks on the floor.
When applying the marker pen to the scratch, begin at one end and cover in small strokes to ensure that the whole mark is colored.
Laminate Fillers
If the scratch is a little deeper, then you can also use floor fillers to replace the gap left. We recommend using laminate floor scratch repair fillers such as for the best results.
These fillers come in a variety of different colors that work to blend in with your laminate flooring. They also come with an easy to use nozzle that will make application simple.
To repair the scratches with a filler, simply squeeze a little into the edge of the scratch, starting at one end and moving along it.
We recommend that you use the filler sparingly at first, applying more if needed.
Once you have filled the scratch or mark, then you can use a soft cloth to blend in the filler so that the filler smoothes out and blends the scratch away.
Wax Filler Sticks
If the scratch is much deeper, then you may want to use a wax filler stick to repair the damage. These can be purchased in a multitude of various colors that will match your laminate flooring with ease.
The wax fill sticks are quite similar to the markers in coverage, but can fill deeper scratches out of your flooring. These strips come in long bars that must be melted before use. This can be done with a torch, butane lighter or any other way you can melt it!
Once the wax has melted, you will just have to fill the gap with the stick and wait for it to cool and dry. You can use a knife to scrape the top of the wax and flatten it into the scratch.
Then, you must level out the wax filler with a tool, or with a credit card so that you do not scrape the floor further.
Once this is done, you can use a paper towel, wipe or cloth to remove any excess and wipe away leftover filler.
If the scratch is covered completely, then you will not be able to see the mark very visibly. If you still can, then it is best to add a little more wax until it is completely blended in.
Wood Putty and Laminate Putty
One of the easiest ways to repair and remove deep scratches from your laminate floors is to use a putty. This could be a colored wood putty or a laminate filler putty.
These are also readily available in a variety of different colors to match the floor, or can be used in a neutral color and dyed to match.
The putty filler works best on larger gouges out of your laminate flooring, rather than surface level marks.
For the best results, ensure that the floor is completely cleaned first with a cleanser or with soap and water. When the floor is dry, wipe away excess and you are ready to go!
To cover the marks, you must spread the putty over the gouge with a putty knife. We recommend that you use a plastic one rather than a metal one as you may create more scratches on the surface of your laminate flooring than you started with!
To do this, use the edge of the knife and place it in the putty, and hold it at a 45 degree angle to the scratch.
Then, you will need to rub the knife over the gouge a few times, ensuring that the putty covers the whole mark completely.
When you have filled the scrape, you can use the side of the putty knife and level out the filler until the mark is covered.
Finally, simply wipe away any excess putty and leave the putty to solidify fully and become hard, which can often take up to 24 hours.
How to prevent scratch marks on your laminate floors
Once you have spent time repairing scratches on your laminate floors, the last thing you want it to make new ones!
This is why you should take some extra steps to prevent scratch marks from happening in the future.
The best way to do this is ensure that you lift furniture up, instead of dragging it on the floor when you move it.
You should also make sure that the feet on your couch or tables are in good condition, or have covers and pads over them to avoid scratching the floor such as these Wood Floor Protectors.
You can also use a lovely rug to keep your furniture in place, and create a barrier between the furniture legs and your laminate flooring.
In addition, it is also advised that you do not wear outdoor shoes in the house, and tell your guests to remove them before they come in!
It may seem silly, but your laminate flooring will thank you for it!