Do you have nasty scratches on hardwood floors that you’re trying to hide? Are you tired of the scratched wooden floor that makes you feel embarrassed when you have some event at home? Don’t worry, we have got you all covered.
The solid hardwood flooring in homes is frequently scratched in obnoxious ways. These scratches make the floor appear rough and worn out, which can be embarrassing when visitors come over.
It’s impossible to prevent the wear and tear that comes with owning a home. If you are thinking about how to fix scratches on hardwood floors, there are a few basic tricks you can use to protect your wood floor from looking like a big cutting board with way too many knife marks on it. Let’s have a look at a couple of them without further ado. 
 Find Out What Kind of Finish Your Floor Has
The floor finish protects it from everyday wear and tear, but it’s crucial to understand what kind of finish you have to keep it looking good.
Match Your Floor Finish with Available Floor Finishes
There are different kinds of floor finishes including stain, varnish, wax coating, Aluminum
oxide coating, water and oil-based polyurethane. It’s crucial for you to figure out which one was used on your floor so you can match it.

Identify And Repair Scratches Depending on Their Type           

You need to start with Identifying the scratch in order to remove it effectively.

⦁ Superficial Scratches

A superficial scratch is one that just affects the floor finish. You can use an easy DIY solution or a wax stick to remove it.

  DIY Solution

You’ll need two items for the DIY solution: apple cider vinegar and olive oil, which you probably already have. Combine these two ingredients and apply to the scratch. Allow it to sit for a few hours before wiping it away.

 Wax Stick

You should start with cleaning the scratched area with a soft rag and some hardwood floor cleaner. Rinse off the cleaner and let it dry. 
Next, you need to take a wax stick and fill the scratch by rubbing all over it or use a plastic putty knife to effectively force the wax into the scratch. Place some effort in buffing the area using a clean, soft cloth as it will smooth it out and restore its shine.

0. Minor Scratches

0. A minor scratch is one that has pierced the protective covering on the wood surface. You can use a wax stick or paste wax to repair a minor scratch.
   Wax Stick And Paste Wax
   You should start by cleaning and rubbing the surface with steel wool to make the mark more prominent. Buff the scratches and feather the edges using steel wool. Fill in the scratches using a wax stick. You can use a paste wax afterwards (if your floors don’t have polyurethane finish) to make the scratches even less noticeable. Finally, buff out the scratches.

0. Deep Scratches And Gouges

0. If you have deep scratches and gouges on your wood floor then a lot more effort and skill is required to repair it. These floors will have to be sanded, fixed, and restored. 
   There are two ways in which you can accomplish this.
   Refinish The Whole Floor
   Refinishing the floor is a sensible decision if your entire floor is covered in scratches and gouges. The scratches can be removed with complete sanding, but this will only work on actual wood flooring.  Otherwise, the thin layer of genuine wood will be taken off quickly with repeated sanding. 

0. Refinish Parts Of The Floor

0. If your floor has polyurethane coating, gently rub the scratch with a scouring pad moistened with mineral spirits. You need to wipe it off when it dries completely. Then, place the matching coloured wood putty in the scratch with a plastic putty knife. Let the putty harden and sand the surface until smooth. Lastly, restore and blend the area with a fresh coat.

0. Wrapping Up
1. Wood floors bring beauty and value to a home as long as they are well-maintained. Scratches on such floors are inevitable, but they can surely be removed by following some of the tips mentioned above. 
2. Next time when you are thinking about how to fix scratches on hardwood floors, try out some of these remedies, and with a little effort, make your hardwood floors look as good as new.

We hope this article has helped to dispel any doubts you may have had about repairing scratches on hardwood. If you’re still not sure, let us know and we’ll be happy to provide more information or answer your questions. Contact Kitchen and Bath Renovations for a consultation today!