10 Tips For Wood Floor Scratch Repair - The Family Handyman

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By T. Lacoma

Family Handyman's Editorial Process

Updated on Jul. 02, 2025

Do you have ugly scratches in your wood floors? In many cases, you can make those imperfections go away—or at least make them less visible. Here are our best tips to help you fix hardwood floor scratches effectively.

Welcome to Family Handyman’s Guide to Gorgeous Floors, where you can find all the essential tips and tricks for achieving the floors of your dreams and keeping them looking good as new for years to come.

Before you can fix hardwood floor scratches, it’s helpful to identify the type and depth of the damage. Light surface scuffs often require simple DIY treatments, while deeper gouges may call for sanding, staining, or even replacing sections of the floor. Matching the repair method to the severity of the scratch is key to getting the best results, especially when working with different types of hardwood, like engineered or solid hardwood.

10 Tips to Repair Scratches on Wood Floors

Before diving into repairs, it helps to understand the different ways you can treat scratches based on their depth and your floor’s finish. Whether you’re dealing with a shallow scuff or a deep gouge, there’s a fix that fits—and many don’t require special tools or professional help.

Some of the most effective solutions are actually simple home remedies for wood floor scratches. For example, a mix of vinegar and olive oil can mask light surface marks. Blending pencils are great for shallow scratches that stand out against darker wood, while finish restorers can revive dull or light scuffed areas.

If you’re working with deeper damage, wood filler and sanding may be necessary before applying a new finish. No matter the method, it’s always smart to clean the area thoroughly first and confirm your floor’s finish so you don’t accidentally cause more damage.

Next, we’ve gathered 10 ways to fix wood floor scratches, from quick fixes to more involved repairs. With the right technique, you can keep your floors looking polished and preserve their natural character for years to come.

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Know Your Floor’s Finish Before You Start

It’s important to start by knowing what kind of finish is on your floor. Is your finish oil or water based? Do you have a wax coating? Is the wood varnished or stained? Some hardwoods also have an aluminium oxide finish. Understanding this is essential before you attempt to repair scratched wood floors, as the right technique depends on the existing finish.

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Clean the Trouble Spot

Start by cleaning the entire area around the scratch. You will want to remove all traces of dust and grime on the floor before you begin any other steps. Pay close attention to the inside of the crack itself, which should be totally free of dirt, if possible. If you have a wax layer, use a wax remover solution to clear away the wax before you begin the repair.

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Try a DIY Solution

If you have a small, single scratch that’s only noticeable when you get close (like a scratch caused by an excited pet) and your floor has a relatively new finish, try a DIY home solution first. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and olive oil in a small cup and dab the mixture into the scratch. Leave it for the rest of the day and rub it out. This method often takes care of minor scratches.

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Darken the Scratch with a Blending Pencil

Blending pencils are specifically designed to fill in wood scratches that appear as lighter-colored marks on the floor. Make sure you pick the right color for your floor and try this often-successful treatment for minor scratches.

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Use a Finish Restorer for Light Scratches

Finish restorers are designed to help treat faded finishes or light scratches distributed across a wide area of your hardwood floors. These restorers can be effective in treating minor scuffs, especially if the wood itself has not been damaged.

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Treat Medium Scratches

If you face medium scratches that show only slight damage, you may be able to apply a new coat of finish to the area without having to refinish the floor entirely. Make sure the finish matches the original as closely as possible. If the wood was stained but has no finish, you may be able to get similar wood floor scratch repair results by re-applying the stain to help hide the scratch.

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Lots of Scratches? Sand and Refinish

If your floor has noticeable scratches throughout, your best option is to sand down the floor and refinish it.  A complete sanding removes scratches, but beware: This only works on real wood floors, not bamboo. If you have an engineered wood floor with a real wood surface, make sure the real wood surface is more than 1mm thick—sanding usually takes at least this much wood off the surface, so a thicker layer is required for complete sanding.

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For Wide Gouges, Use Wood Filler

If the scratches in your wood floor are really more like gouges, your first step should be to use a hardwood floor scratch filler to fill in the gaps before applying stain and finish.

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Sand Down Imperfections

If your floorboards are showing signs of heavy damage, they may have ridges and other uneven spots. Your best bet is to sand these down to flatten your floor and avoid headaches in the future. For major wood floor scratch repair, you may have to rent a floor sander.

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Replace Damaged Boards

If the damage to your floor is severe, you may need to replace the damaged floorboard(s) entirely. If you can’t find matching floorboards, you can at least patch the affected area.

FAQ

How can I prevent future scratches in my wood floors?

An easy way to prevent scratches on your wood floors is by placing pads under all furniture legs. You can also put area rugs in high-traffic areas and keep floors clean to avoid scratches from dirt. Trim your pet’s nails regularly and avoid wearing high heels or hard-soled shoes to reduce the risk of scratches.

When should I call a professional about a wood floor scratch?

If you notice a deep scratch in a very visible part of your floor, consider calling a pro to fix it. They may be able to blend the repair into the surrounding area for a seamless look without sanding and refinishing the entire floor.

Sources:

• Teka Flooring: “A Guide of How to Buff Out Scratches on Hardwood Floors”
• Minwax: “Minwax Blend-fil Pencil”