Have you got scratches messing up the appearance of your vinyl flooring and making it look dull, old, and unattractive? A lot of people have this issue and are left wondering whether there is any solution that doesn’t involve buying brand new flooring and getting it professionally laid.
Vinyl floors are often installed in areas of the house that get a lot of wear. They may endure heavy foot traffic, pet claws, kids playing, and more – so they frequently get scuffed up, in spite of their durability. This makes them look dull and unattractive, but you might not have to replace them to solve this problem.
Can you remove scratches from vinyl flooring? You can sometimes get scratches out of vinyl flooring by using a scratch concealer, a scratch repair kit, or other similar products. In some cases, you will need to follow these products up with wax. Paste wax can sometimes be used to repair deeper scratches, followed by a stain pen to help the color match.
Is It Possible to Remove Scratches from Vinyl Flooring?
It is possible to get scratches out of vinyl flooring, yes. You will need an appropriate scratch concealer or repair kit, or paste wax and a stain pen. These things will all help to fill the scratch and conceal it, although you may struggle to get a perfect match in some cases. You may sometimes need to sand the floor before you can fix it.
How Do You Use Scratch Concealer?
Scratch concealer is used for light scratches, and cannot fill a dent in your floor, although it may reduce how obvious it is. To use scratch concealer, you will first need to thoroughly clean the floor, removing all dirt and debris. Next, apply the scratch concealer according to the manufacturer’s directions, and then use a soft cloth to rub it in.
Keep rubbing the scratch concealer firmly into the surface you want to repair, circling round and round, until the residue has disappeared. Next, allow at least 24 hours for the concealer to cure, and don’t touch or scrub it during this time. Its appearance may change as it cures, so don’t worry if you can still see a mark.
When 24 hours have passed, use soap and water to gently clean the area. Hopefully, the scratch will have disappeared, or will have been reduced.
How Do You Use Paste Wax?
For deeper scratches, you will need something designed to help fill them – such as paste wax. Again, start by cleaning the area thoroughly, and then use a scouring pad to gently buff it up and create a key. Next, dab a paper towel into your paste wax and apply a small amount, using a circular motion. Keep adding it until the scratch has been filled.
When the scratch is full, buff the area until the patch shines like the rest of the vinyl.
Be aware that if the scratch was deep, you may still be able to see a mark. If this is the case, purchase a stain pen in the same color as your vinyl. You can use this to color over the paste wax, making it disappear. Wipe the area with a damp cloth, and the scratch should be invisible.
How Do You Use a PU Cleaner?
A PU Cleaner will get rid of scratches too, working like a polish and causing the visible mark to disappear. Start by cleaning the floor, and then sand the scratched area, starting with a coarse sandpaper and working your way up to a fine one. Wipe the area clean, shake up the PU spray, and lightly spray the damaged area.
You may need a couple of coats to make the scratch completely vanish, but this will work on light, minor scratches without the need to color-match. Once you have applied the PU cleaner, make sure nobody walks on the scratched area for 24 hours while it dries.
Are There Other Ways to Get Rid of Scratches?
You might be able to remove minor scratches from the floor by using an eraser on it, or touching it up with nail polish in a matching color. These are quick-fix methods that are worth trying, but they tend to only work for very minor damage.
If you want to use an eraser, get a clean, fresh one, and then rub it vigorously back and forth across the scratch. It may help to lessen it, and in some cases, will get rid of it.
If you have nail polish that matches your floor, dabbing a small amount over a cleaned scratch should make it vanish. Do not try to use nail polish to fix large scratches, though, as it’s unlikely to be hard wearing enough.
How Do You Stop Scratches from Occurring?
There are lots of things you can do to minimize scratching. One of the most important ones involves cleaning the floor regularly. Tiny bits of dirt can create surprisingly big scratches as they get pushed around on the floor, leaving areas where more dirt can build up, and creating gradually deeper scratches.
You should therefore regularly sweep your vinyl floors. Do not mop them until they have been swept, as the mop will push the dirt around on the floor and may further scratch it. Once the floor has been swept or vacuumed, used soft mop pads and avoid any abrasive cleaning pads or cleaning products.
It’s also a good idea to install felt on the bottom of your furniture, as this is a major source of scratching. Putting little felt pads on the bottoms of chair legs and table legs will ensure that when your furniture is moved around or jogged abruptly, it doesn’t damage the floor.
Final Thoughts
You can remove scratches from vinyl flooring in a variety of different ways, depending on how deep the scratch is and the color of the vinyl. It is difficult to get rid of major scratches, however, and your floor might need to be replaced if it has been very damaged. Even so, it is worth trying these solutions first.
