How To Fix Wood Floor Scratches

Wood floors are beautiful and durable, but they can also be scratched easily. If you have a scratched wood floor, don't worry - you can fix it yourself with a few simple steps.

Assess the Damage

The first step is to assess the damage. If the scratch is shallow, you may be able to buff it out. If the scratch is deep, you may need to fill it in.

Gather Your Materials

Once you know the extent of the damage, you can gather the materials you need to fix it. For shallow scratches, you will need a clean cloth and some furniture polish. For deep scratches, you will need a wood filler, a putty knife, and some sandpaper.

Buff Out Shallow Scratches

If the scratch is shallow, you can buff it out with a clean cloth and some furniture polish. Apply the furniture polish to the cloth and rub it in a circular motion over the scratch. Continue rubbing until the scratch is no longer visible.

Fill In Deep Scratches

If the scratch is deep, you will need to fill it in with wood filler. Apply the wood filler to the scratch with a putty knife. Smooth the wood filler over the scratch and let it dry completely.

Once the wood filler is dry, sand it smooth with sandpaper. Start with a coarse sandpaper and gradually switch to a finer sandpaper until the wood filler is smooth and level with the rest of the floor.

Touch Up the Finish

Once the scratch is filled in and sanded smooth, you may need to touch up the finish. Apply a thin coat of polyurethane to the scratched area and let it dry completely.

Once the polyurethane is dry, your wood floor will be as good as new!