How to Get Rid of Scuff Marks

Hardwood floors will be scuffed with marks over time. These marks are made by many different hard metal or plastic surfaces that grind into the surface layer of the floor such as high-heeled shoes, hard-soled- shoes, tables, chairs, step ladders, toys, etc. Removing these items and some other furniture from your house is not an option to spare your floors from scuff marks. This article brings you some of the most efficient tips to help you get rid of scuff marks from your precious flooring.

 

Where to Start

 

Before proceeding, make sure to check the instructions for your flooring to prevent further discoloration or damage onto the surface of your floorboards. Also, you have to clean the loose dirt off the ground first as small particles can scratch your floor.

 

Fight Rubber Marks with Rubber

 

If the scuff marks are caused by rubber endings, the best way to counter the damage is to scrub them with either a clean rubber ball or a hard eraser. This method works well if the scuff is light and small and provided that the flooring is not that porous. For dark marks, you can use a special scuff eraser instead. You can buy this scuff eraser from department stores, hardware shops and even from your local grocery store.  Your liquid detergent is also helpful in removing scuff marks from your floor. This method might take some time but the marks will eventually disappear like magic. If you have a pair of tennis shoes, you can use the soles as your scuff eraser. Just rub the mark with your feet using the soles of the shoes.

 

Get Rid of Scuff Marks using Different Types of Chemicals

If the abovementioned strategies do not work, do not despair. There are many other products that can help you clean up those annoying scuff marks on your flooring. Read on.

Acetone- Also known as nail polish remover, acetone is an effective scuff mark remover on the floor and on leather surfaces. When working on leather, just take a cotton swab or a piece of clean white cloth and apply moistened it with acetone. Dab the affected spot and then slowly scrub the area with the dampened article. Dry the treated area using clean cotton balls. For scuff marks on the floor, you have to apply some Vaseline on the marks after applying acetone on it to prevent your floor from drying out.

Adhesive Removers- These products are proven effective in breaking down the rubber from the surface layer of the floor. After working with adhesive removers, you will notice that the scuff marks are easily wiped off which makes cleaning a lot easier. However, you should be careful when using adhesive removers on hardwood floors and granite.

Baking Soda- Create a pasty mixture that contains about 2 tablespoons of baking soda with warm water. Use a soft cloth when scrubbing the paste on the surface wherein the scuff marks are spotted. Wipe the treated site with a clean damp cloth and then wipe dry.

Lighter Fluid- Dip a clean white towel in lighter fluid (a.k.a. naptha) and then gently scrub off the marks on the flooring. Just make sure to stay away from flames when cleaning the stains.

Toothpaste- Use a non-gel type of toothpaste when removing scuff marks. Simply rub it on the stains using an old brush. Then, clean the surface using a dry cotton cloth. This method works exceptionally well even with the toughest scuff marks.

 

Rubbing Alcohol- Create a pasty mixture that contains rubbing alcohol and elbow grease. Apply the paste on the stained surface and then use a rough cloth to scrub it in. You can use any alcohol based products such as hair spray with at least 50% of alcohol concentration. However, avoid mixing other solvents with grease as it can only worsen the scuff marks. Moreover, do not rub aggressively onto the surface as some paint may come off the surface itself. Only use rubbing alcohol on light-colored surfaces instead.

Special Precautions and Reminders

Foremost, the type of flooring you have should be taken into consideration prior to applying any treatment product. Certain types of floors may react to certain types of chemicals.

• Avoid scrubbing hard tools like sandpapers against the surface of the floor.
• For specific types of floors, use the appropriate cleaning products than using any other cleaners to avoid further damage or discoloration.
• Clean the floor on regular basis by waxing or polishing to prevent occurrence of dark stains or scuff marks in the future.
• Lighter fluid should be used cautiously.
• Always use a solvent or solvent-based cleaning wax.
• Always try your cleaning product in a hidden corner to pre-determine its effect on the surface. Doing so will also help you avoid unpleasant and costly mistakes.

The abovementioned tricks should help you get rid of scuff marks easily and effectively. Other helpful products for removing scuff marks include black permanent waterproof marker, Methylated spirits, Clorox wipes, WD 40, and auto-scratch remover.