We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How can I Remove Scratches from Hardwood Floors?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,759
Share

Hardwood flooring can lend a great deal of texture and warmth to a room. Unfortunately, it is also possible to sustain scratches on hardwood floors, especially if the room sees a great deal of use. If you have hardwood flooring and sustain a noticeable scratch or two, there are a couple of options you can utilize to repair the damage and restore your floors to a pristine condition.

One of the first things you want to do is determine if the scratch involves the hardwood floors or is simply a scratch in the protective coating you have on the flooring. In fact, the scratch may simply be a mark in the shellac or the sealant you used to protect the finish. If that is the case, simply buffing the area and reapplying a coat of shellac or sealant will remove the scratch and make your hardwood floors look like new.

If the scratch does actually penetrate the protective layer and damages the wood, assess the length and depth of the scratch. It may be possible to mask the scratch with the use of wood fillers. The fillers can be tinted to match the stain on your floors and make it virtually impossible to detect scratches on hardwood floors. Keep in mind your chances for success using wood fillers is better if your hardwood floors are coated with a darker stain.

When all else fails, it may be necessary to strip your hardwood floors, buff them to a smooth surface, and re-stain the entire floor. While this method is time and labor intensive, it will completely erase any sign of scratches on the floors and will also eliminate issues that are caused by scratches that are too deep to treat with the wood filler. One advantage to this approach is that you can change the look of the hardwood floors by going with a different stain. Not only will you remove the scratches, but you will also give the room a whole new look and feel.

While it is possible to handle minor scratches using filler compounds and hardwood kits, you may find that it is better in the long run to call in a professional when the scratches are deep and highly visible. A professional will know how to strip and buff the floor so that the natural beauty of the wood is preserved, and can also apply the new stain or varnish in an even coat.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By elizabeth2 — On Feb 21, 2011

I don't think this is a job I can do myself. I'll definitely be calling in a professional, but it helps to know that it may be possible to just repair my hardwood floors instead of having to totally replace them.

Would a general contractor be good for the job, or do I need to find some sort of floor expert?

By roxytalks — On Feb 21, 2011

I never even considered that the scratches on our hardwood floors might actually just be scratches on the protective coating.

There are a lot of scratches, but none of them seem very deep. I'll have to find out if the scratches actually reach the wood.

I was afraid that I would have to install new hardwood floors! Thanks for the tips!

By calpat — On Feb 18, 2011

We have hardwood flooring in our kitchen. I think we probably use the kitchen more than any other room in the house, so the floor has gone through quite a bit of wear and tear. It has a number of pretty noticeable scratches at this point and I was thinking that I wanted to try to fill the scratches.

But now I am really liking the idea of stripping the whole floor, buffing it, and then going with a completely different stain color. It would be like having a new kitchen!

I think that refinishing the hardwood floor is definitely the way I'm going to go. It takes a much dreaded job and puts a whole new exciting light on it!

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-can-i-remove-scratches-from-hardwood-floors.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.