Removing Scratches from Old Oak Hardwood Floors
Don't Let Heavy Foot Traffic Put a Dent in Your Hardwood Floors
Don't panic: help is on its way. Before you pay big bucks to replace or refinish your old oak hardwood floors, try these quick and easy fixes for scratches on your old oak hardwood floors. Easy solutions for new homeowners and longtime DIYers alike.
1. Cover scratches. Sometimes a hallway or high foot traffic area can simply covered with a decorative runner. Check out Rug Depot for great deals on runners and stair runners for your high traffic areas.
2. Use Wood Stain Markers. If the scratch is away from high foot traffic and small, you can always pick up some great wood stain markers at your local hardware store, Home Depot or Lowes. Buy an assortment and you can get the perfect match for your floors. Use the others to cover furniture nicks and scratches.
3. Apply Walnut or Pecan Oil. Nothing covers scratches on your old oak floors better than Walnut or Pecan Oil. These oils are readily available at your local hardware store or home improvement center. Walnut or Pecan Oil can cover surface scratches in a jiffy and is a much safer alternative than, say, furniture wax which can cause slips and falls.
4. Try Lip Balm. An old DIY trick is to use lip balm on surface scratches on old oak floors. This lip balm should be neutral in color. Simply apply to the scratch and let dry. Reapply as needed. Be sure to discard remaining lip balm, or store in your hardware cabinet for future use.
5. Sand It. Sometimes the scratches on your old oak floors are too deep for wood stain markers or oils to be effective. In this case, you may need to sand your old oak floors. Pick up some fine grain sandpaper or steel wool at your local hardware store, Ace Hardware, Lowes or Home Depot. Wipe surface with mineral spirits using a micro fiber cloth. Buy matching stain and apply to old oak floors, being careful not to over-apply this stain. Let dry for one hour. Reapply as needed.
RESOURCES
National Wood Flooring Association
www.woodfloors.org
Home Depot
www.homedepot.com
Lowes
www.lowes.com
Ace Hardware
www.acehardware.com
Published by M.G. Hardiman - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Career professional in non-profit sector, one of AC s Rising Stars (2009) and Featured Contributor in Home Improvement, Health and Wellness, Local, and Arts and Entertainment categories. Washington, DC metr... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentOld home remedy, Tracie.
We have hardwood floors too. I've used a product called Scratch Cover that helps a lot.
Our oak floors are 70 years old. I like to think the scratches give the floor character. After reading your article, I'm re-considering that. Ah-oh, could I just be lazy? Maybe I'll try to pretty-up the first floor at least. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for your read, Jennifer!!
Very cool. We have Pergo, I really love it. That's interesting about the lip balm solution!
Thanks for your read, Michele. I know it's difficult to focus on those old oak hardwood floors when there are so many other things to do in an old house, right? :)
Awesome, we really need to 'fix' our wood floors! They're 30 years old and beginning to look it! Cheers.