How to Fix Wood Floors: Nine Easy Steps

Image courtesy of: istockphoto com

If they are cared for properly, wood floors are an investment that will add both beauty and value to a home. The surface of natural wood is constantly at risk of wear, as well as deeper and more extensive damage. The most important thing, of course, is prevention: When moving furniture, use area rugs and soft protective pads, take off your shoes as much as you can, and keep your pet's nails trimmed.

Image courtesy of: istockphoto com

The finish on your floor works to protect it from the normal wear and tear that it experiences, but in order to properly care for it, you need to be aware of the type of finish that you have. Take for instance a wooden floor that was put in before 1970 and was most likely finished with varnish or shellac. Adding luster to a finish like this can be accomplished with paste, liquid wax, or oil. If the older finish on your floor is visibly scratched, you can either strip it or sand it down, and then you can refinish it with a polyurethane-based product, which is a highly durable finish, resistant to abrasion, and easy to clean. However, when you polish polyurethane-finished floors, you should only use a silicone polish that is water-based.

CONNECTED: Eleven Tried-and-True Methods for Caring for Hardwood Floors Related

When there is widespread wear and tear, it may be necessary to completely refinish the floor, which is a process that is both time- and labor-intensive, and in most cases, it is a job that is best left to the professionals. The good news is that with the help of the scratch repair tips that are provided below, you can minimize or even completely eliminate less serious marks and discoloration, thereby restoring your wood floors to the glory that they once possessed.

1. Take care when cleaning the hardwood floors.

A lack of luster in the wood can exaggerate the appearance of scratches and worn areas. Additionally, the grinding of dirt particles into hardwood floors can cause the scratches to become deeper, so your first line of defense should be a thorough cleaning that is done with care. When cleaning a floor, you should never use brooms or scrub pads that are too abrasive, and you should never soak it in water or liquid cleaner. Instead, dust, hair, and other surface debris can be removed with a soft mop or vacuum (fitted with the appropriate attachment). To clean a polyurethane-finished floor, combine two to four drops of liquid soap with one quart of water, mix the solution in a spray bottle, and then mist the floor. After that, use a dry microfiber mop to distribute the solution across the floor. After that, give it a quick spritz with some new water and buff it with a clean, dry cloth. There are also commercially available non-hazardous wood cleaners that are suitable for polyurethane-finished floors. Your best bet is to look for a product that is water-based and contains a biodegradable cleaning agent. One such product is Begley's, which can be purchased at big-box home improvement stores as well as on Amazon.

2. Remove the scratches from the wood floor with sandpaper.

Wood floors can be brought back to life with just a little bit of effort. Sandpaper with a very fine grain is all that is required to reduce damage taken. Sand the floor in the direction that the wood's grain runs first. You will need to reapply stain that you have buffed away during the process, so choose a hidden area (under the bed, in a closet) to patch-test a wood stain that is a close match to the color of your floor. Patch test a urethane finish once you have determined the appropriate stain.

A water-based urethane (you can see an example of it on Amazon) dries quickly and has a clear, shiny finish that is ideal for newer floors; however, it may create too much contrast if the floors have become darker over time.

Oil-based urethanes (you can see an example of this on Amazon), on the other hand, have a pungent odor, but they dry with a yellowish cast that darkens with age, so they might be a better match for the color of an older floor. Before you apply the stain and finish, check that the area that has been sanded is completely smooth and clean.

Do you need assistance with installing hardwood flooring?

Locate licensed flooring experts in your area and obtain cost estimates for your project that are free and do not require a commitment.

3. To hide any scratches in the wood, rub walnuts over the affected areas.

Walnuts are rich in high-quality natural emollients and brown dyes, which serve to both restore and improve the appearance of wood that has been scratched and worn. First, use your fingers to warm up the oil in the nut, and then rub it into the worn areas of the floor using small circular motions. After allowing the oil to sit for a few minutes, buff the surface using a clean, soft cloth. Coconut oil can also reduce the appearance of scratch marks on floors that have recently been sanded or unfinished. To achieve a more lustrous appearance in the wood, apply a very light coating of coconut oil with a brush or sponge, let it sit for five minutes, and then buff it with a soft cloth.

4. Create an effective revivifier using ingredients found in your pantry.

The combination of baking soda and olive oil has been shown to be effective in minimizing and even removing scratches from wood. Your floor should then be meticulously vacuumed, and any worn spots should be treated with baking soda that has been diluted with a few drops of olive oil. After five minutes, begin to gently rub the product in using a soft sponge. To thoroughly clean, use a damp cloth, and then dry it off with a towel.

Scratch Away, which costs ten dollars, can be used to repair scratches on laminate as well as wood floors. This product (which can be purchased from Lumber Liquidators for $0.99 for eight ounces and cleans, polishes, and lessens the appearance of scratch marks that are caused by dirt, shoes, pets, and furniture scrapes; Another product that has received positive feedback is Old English Scratch Cover ($4). 82 for eight ounces, available on Amazon), available in both light and dark wood tones, and priced at the same price point. This nourishing oil shields against damage and conceals unsightly scuff marks at the same time. To apply it on wood surfaces that have been cleaned, all you need is a soft cloth.

Image courtesy of: istockphoto com

6. Using a stain, cover any scratches on the wood.

The use of a wood stain, which is available in oil-based, water-based, gel-based, and combination varieties, can help to reduce the visual impact of deep scratches. Oil-based stains take the longest to dry and can be the most challenging to work with, but they produce the most vibrant and durable color. Stains that are water-based come in a wide variety of colors, are simple to apply, and are straightforward to clean up. Gels do not penetrate materials and can therefore be used on a wide variety of materials, including wood that has been painted in the past. Combination stains are designed specifically for polyurethane finishes.

Select the appropriate stain formulation for the finish on your wood, and ensure that the scratch is completely covered by the liquid color. Remove any remaining stain with a Q-tip, then allow it to dry completely. You can also find stain markers and blending pencils, but you might need to experiment with different color combinations before you find the one that works best for your floor. Apply the product to the scratch in accordance with the instructions on the packaging, remove any excess, and allow it to dry completely.

7. Bring back its luster with the help of a specialized care product

Minwax Hardwood Floor Reviver ($24 97 for 32 ounces and sold on Amazon) is a product that, when applied to hardwood floors, can help restore their beauty and luster without the need for sanding or buffing. After removing any dirt and debris from the surface, apply one coat of paint using a clean paint pad (such as this one), and then wait for it to dry. Choose the level of sheen that works best for you from the options of high and low gloss, both of which are designed to last between three and six months.

Image courtesy of: istockphoto com

8. Remove the current finish and begin from scratch

You can strip wood floors that are in relatively poor condition and have been covered with layers of polyurethane, wax, or even paint. This will reveal the unfinished beauty of the wood. Choose a liquid stripping agent, such as 3M's Safest Stripper, which has a low level of fumes and costs $14. 02 for a quantity of 32 ounces, and it can be purchased on Amazon) When applying the stripper, make sure to carefully follow the product's instructions, and then use steel wool of a finer grade to rub in the same direction as the grain to remove any excess stripper. If you plan to strip only a small section of your flooring, you should ensure that you have also patch tested a matching stain and polyurethane coating so that you can apply them after the process of stripping is finished.

9. Fill in and repair larger gouges and scratches in wooden floors

Try using a product such as Bondo ($18), which can fill in deeper gouges in your wood. 15 for one ounce on Amazon)—a wood filler that can be painted, stained, or sanded after it has been applied. There is also the option of using a pre-colored latex wood filler, such as DAP Plastic Wood (which costs ). DAP sells it for $48 for 32 ounces. Fillers are available in a wide variety of hues, and it's possible that you'll need to mix them in order to achieve the perfect color match for your floor. This solution is ideal for fixing small, deep holes in the floor, which can subsequently be patched, sanded, stained, and finished to restore the floor's flawless appearance.

Do you need assistance with installing hardwood flooring?

Locate licensed flooring experts in your area and obtain cost estimates for your project that are free and do not require a commitment.