How do you remove scratches from engineered hardwood floors?

Engineered hardwood flooring can be susceptible to scratches over time from regular wear and tear. While scratches are unavoidable, there are ways to reduce their appearance or remove them completely depending on the severity. Removing scratches from engineered hardwood requires using the proper tools and techniques to avoid further damaging the floor’s finish or wood layers.

What are engineered hardwood floors?

Engineered hardwood is made of multiple layers of wood pressed together. The top layer is a hardwood veneer made from oak, maple, hickory or exotic woods that provides the visible look of solid hardwood. Underneath are several stacked layers of plywood running in opposite directions that provide stability and help minimize expansion and contraction.

The multi-layer construction makes engineered hardwood more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood, allowing it to be installed in environments like basements or over concrete that are prone to moisture. The thick top layer is also less prone to deep scratches or dents. However, the veneer finish can still get scratched over time and require buffing or refinishing.

How do scratches occur on engineered floors?

There are several causes of scratches on engineered hardwood floors:

Furniture dragging: Moving furniture like chairs or appliances across the floor without lifting can scratch the wood. Using felt pads under furniture legs can help minimize this.

Pet nails: Dog and cat nails can scratch floors when they run across the room. Keeping nails trimmed down can reduce scratches.

High traffic areas: Entryways, hallways and areas in front of appliances see a concentration of foot traffic and are prone to scratches over time.

Grit and debris: Debris tracked inside can get ground into the floor’s surface under foot traffic and cause micro-abrasions and scratches. Regular sweeping and vacuuming helps prevent this.

Falling objects: Items dropped on the floor, like kitchen utensils, toys or tools, can dent or scratch the wood veneer. Picking up items instead of sliding them across the floor helps reduce scratches.

How to determine scratch severity

Not all scratches are equal. Light, superficial scratches may only affect the finish coat and can be easier to remove than deep scratches cutting through multiple wood layers. Here is how to evaluate scratch severity:

Light surface scratches: These affect only the finish or stain layer but do not penetrate into the woodgrain. They appear lighter in color and can often be buffed out.

Medium scratches: Slightly deeper than surface scratches but still only penetrating the top veneer layer and not the plywood below. May have slightly raised wood fibers around the edges.

Deep scratches: These go through the hardwood veneer and into one or more plywood layers. The scratches appear deeper and darker with noticeable fraying of the wood grain.

The tools and techniques used to remove scratches will depend on their depth and severity. Light scratches may only require a simple buffing, while deep scratches may need extensive sanding and refinishing for complete removal.

Removing light surface scratches

For light scratches confined to the finish coat:

Furniture polish: Apply a small amount of furniture polish containing wax directly onto the scratches. Use a clean, soft cloth to gently rub the polish into the scratches in a circular motion. Remove any excess. The wax fills in the scratches and blends with the surrounding finish.

Olive or coconut oil: Use a drop of olive or coconut oil on a soft cloth to buff the scratches in a circular motion. The oil hides minor scratches by filling in the gaps. Wipe away any excess.

Rubbing compound: Available at hardware stores, this mildly abrasive paste can remove light scratches when rubbed in with a soft cloth. Apply a small amount to the scratches and buff in a circular motion. Reapply if needed for deeper scratches.

Sanding sponge: Very lightly go over the scratches with a medium grit sanding sponge. Apply only minimal pressure to avoid cutting into wood layers. Wipe with a dry cloth to remove sanding residue.

Restorer markers: These are available in wood tone colors and can fill in and hide light scratches through a staining/filling process. Apply marker to the scratch and wipe thoroughly across floor to blend color.

Always test products in an inconspicuous area first and buff in direction of the wood grain. This helps provide a uniform appearance.

Repairing medium scratches

For slightly deeper scratches limited to the hardwood veneer:

Wood filler: Apply a wood filler matched to your floor’s color into the scratch using a plastic putty knife. Remove any excess filler and allow to dry completely. Lightly sand flush with floor.

Matching wood plugs: Cut small plugs from scrap flooring to fill deep scratches. Glue plugs into scratches, allowing to dry completely. Sand and finish plugs to blend into floor.

Refinishing pens: Similar to restorer markers but contain actual stains to better color-match wood species. Apply to scratches like a marker and wipe across floor to evenly blend. Provides longer-lasting results than markers.

Light sanding: Use 100-150 grit sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block to gently sand out medium scratches. Sand in direction of wood grain until scratches disappear. Avoid over-sanding floor thickness.

Wood scratch remover: Apply per product instructions and use included abrasive pad to buff scratches. Can help “erase” scratches by blending color and texture with surrounding floor.

Be sure to clean and vacuum the floor thoroughly before applying any filling products. Follow by gently smoothing the repaired areas with a dry cloth to blend with the floor finish.

Fixing deep scratches

For scratches that cut through the hardwood veneer into the plywood layer:

Sand and refinish: Deep scratches likely require extensive sanding to remove them. A drum sander can be rented to sand down flooring where scratches are concentrated. Stain and refinish sanded areas to match floor color.

Wood putty application: For small deep scratches, force wood putty down into the scratch with a putty knife. Sand smooth after drying. Stain and finish repaired areas to blend into floor.

Plank replacement: Cut out sections of damaged planks along board joints. Install new planks of similar color/style and use transition trim to hide any minor difference between old and new.

Flooring professional: Have a hardwood flooring contractor evaluate deep scratches and provide expert repair recommendations. May involve sanding, plank replacement or overlaying new engineered wood over damaged sections.

Extensive sanding of engineered hardwood should only go as deep as necessary to remove scratches to avoid exposing the thin veneer layer over plywood. Take precautions against dust entering other rooms.

How to prevent future scratches

While engineered hardwood is designed to better resist scratches than solid wood, it still requires some basic care and maintenance:

– Sweep and vacuum floors frequently to remove abrasive grit and debris.

– Use rugs or mats at entrances and in high traffic areas to limit dirt exposure.

– Keep pet nails trimmed to minimize scratching from claws.

– Avoid walking on floors with shoe cleats, spikes or damaged heels.

– Pick up heavy furniture or appliances when moving rather than sliding across floors.

– Attach felt pads underneath furniture legs and chair legs.

– Be careful about dropping heavy or sharp objects on the floor.

– Limit direct sunlight exposure which can dry out floors and make them more susceptible to scratches.

– Consider periodic application of a wood floor finish restorer to adds a protective wear layer.

Performing proper daily and routine maintenance on engineered hardwood can help keep scratches to a minimum. But occasional scratches are inevitable. Knowing how to repair them properly will keep your floors looking beautiful.

Tips for repairing scratches

Here are some key tips to keep in mind when repairing scratches on engineered hardwood floors:

• Always test products and procedures in an inconspicuous area first
• Work in the direction of the flooring grain when sanding or buffing
• Be sure floor is clean before applying any filler, markers, or touch up products
• Apply finish coat after filling deeper scratches to help merges repairs
• Try to match color and texture of repairs to surrounding flooring
• Take precautions against dust when sanding; use vacuum attachment
• Don’t over-sand engineered hardwood to avoid exposing plywood
• Consider hiring a professional for extensive scratch repairs

Following these tips will lead to the most seamless repairs and best outcome removing or minimizing the look of scratches.

Professional scratch repair services

For engineered hardwood floors with extensive deep scratching or damage, it may be best to hire a professional wood flooring contractor. They have the specialized tools, materials and skills to properly repair scratches and match to your existing floor.

Benefits of professional scratch repair:

• Have the proper sanding equipment such as drum sanders to remove deep scratches
• Can sand and refinish extensive areas of scratched flooring
• Will match and blend any color stains to your flooring type
• Can replace severely damaged planks with matching hardwood
• Experienced applying fillers and markers to mimic wood grain
• May offer dustless sanding systems to contain mess
• Can match and apply compatible sealers or finish coat

While DIY light scratch removal is often possible, scratched hardwood floors spanning entire rooms or your whole home may warrant calling in a professional. Get estimates from at least 3 contractors and check reviews to find the best service at a fair price.

Home remedies to avoid

When researching how to fix hardwood scratches, you may come across suggestions like using toothpaste, vinegar, lemon oil or nail polish. Avoid these home remedies:

• Toothpaste – Contains gritty particles that could further scratch floors and can leave a cloudy paste in scratch grooves.
• Vinegar – Has a low pH that can damage and discolor wood finishes.
• Lemon oil – Can potentially damage some wood floor finishes despite being a natural product.
• Nail polish – Does not match wood tones well and peels quickly with floor traffic.

Always consult the flooring manufacturer’s recommendations and test any cleaning/polishing products in an inconspicuous area before widespread use. Harsh chemicals or acidic products should be avoided.

Conclusion

Scratches in engineered hardwood floors are common but can be repaired using various techniques. Light scratches often only require simple buffing with oils, polish or abrasive pads. Medium scratches may involve fillers and touch up markers to conceal damage. But deep scratches will likely need extensive sanding and refinishing for full removal. Preventative care is key to minimize scratches in engineered hardwood. When damage does occur, use the proper tools and methods to restore your floors. Hiring a professional can be worth the cost for extensive repairs.