Remember the brand-new jacket you got at the beginning of your high school and how you gave your best to keep it in an untouched condition as long as possible? You may feel the same way when it comes to preventing scratches on your beautiful European oak timber flooring.

Timber floors bring beauty and value to your house, as long as they are well-maintained. Despite being attractive, they are prone to scratches and marks. Thus, it’s important to take extra care of these floors. Let’s try to figure out how to prevent timber flooring from scratches and furthermore, how to repair the scratches.

Part 1: How to prevent hardwood scratches?

First of all, keep in mind that preventing scratches on hardwood floors doesn’t cost a fortune. Basic care and cleaning are the main steps toward reducing the chances of scratches and scuffs. This includes not only removing grit and grime, but also noticing a potential problem area before it gets worse.

Timber floors are always at constant risk of surface damage, so prevention is imperative. Understand the type of finish you have. Is it oil or water-based finishing? Is it varnished or stained? Know everything about the surface, so you know how to protect it from potential scratches.

Here are five essential tips you need to prevent your hardwood floor from potential scratches, gouges and marks.

Take off your shoes!

It is an effective yet often overlooked prevention method. Taking off your shoes can create a significant impact on your timber or hybrid flooring, especially the ones with high-traffic. To make things simpler and more convenient, you can add a plastic or rubber bin by the door.

Use pads under furniture

Furniture is one of the key reasons why scratched wood floors exist. To protect your beautiful investment from scratches, we recommend you place pads on the bottom of all furniture, especially the ones that will be moving on your hardwood flooring. This may include anything from sofas to tables to doors.

Avoid rolling chairs

Rolling chairs can really scratch up hardwood floors when they get in touch with dirt and grit. You can either avoid using these chairs or place pads under the wheels. Also, check the wheels for any potential damage and clean them regularly to prevent scratches.

Consider area rugs

There are areas where chairs are moved very often. Consider placing area rugs under these areas. This tip can be especially handy for dining rooms or offices. On top of that, area rugs may also reduce noise and enhance hygiene.

Keep your home exterior clean

Dirt, grit and gravel can easily damage your timber flooring by getting trapped inside your shoes. So, make sure you periodically clean and sweep the outside of your house. This includes your backyard, entrance, garage and porch.

Part 2: How to repair scratched timber flooring?

If you have ugly scratches on your timber floors, it’s time to make those imperfections go away with the following tips. Please have a look:

Rub walnuts over scratches

The natural oil of walnuts contains brown dyes that can both repair and enhance the look of worn-out wood. When you rub small nut pieces over the damaged part, you can fill most scratches. Warm up the oil with your fingers before rubbing it on the floor. Allow it to sit there for a few minutes and then buff with a soft cloth. You can also use coconut oil to minimise scratch marks on unfinished timber floors.

Apply a combination of baking soda and olive oil

A combination of baking soda and olive oil can reduce and remove scratches from hardwood floors. First, vacuum your timber floor thoroughly and then apply baking soda moistened with some drops of olive oil. Wait for at least five minutes before buffing by using a soft cloth. Finally, clean it thoroughly with a damp cloth.

Sand out scratches

Sanding out scratches can bring your timber floor back to life. It’s a tried and true technique when it comes to repairing stubborn hardwood scratches and gouges. All you have to do is take fine-grained sandpaper to buff out the damage. Rub it in the direction of the grain. Now, choose a hidden area, such as under the bed, to patch the area. Make sure the sanded area is thoroughly clean before and after you stain.

Colour in scratches

If you can’t repair hardwood scratches completely, you can minimise their appearance with a wood stain. It comes in oil-based gels that dry slowly and are difficult to work with. Despite that fact, they tend to provide the richest and longest-lasting colour. On the other hand, you can rely on water-based stains available in many shades that are easy to use. Remember to choose the right stain for your hardwood finish.

Use wax fillers

Wax fillers are a more lasting solution that can do a great job at fixing hardwood scratches, especially the deeper ones that are the most annoying and difficult to repair. Use highly effective wax fillers to repair serious scratches. Make sure the damaged area is sanded lightly with sandpaper to ensure the adhesion of the wax to the area.

Conclusion

There you have it – how to repair your scratched hardwood floor. No need to live with scratched hardwood floors anymore! These are some of the simplest ways to fix shallow scratches. And you now what? They don’t cost a lot.

If you want to learn about high-quality timber flooring in Melbourne, get in touch with us today.