How to Fix Scratches on Engineered Hardwood Floors

Many homeowners focus on décor and furniture when styling their living spaces. However, flooring is one part of any room that you shouldn’t overlook. The condition and quality of your floors impact how the space appears, and you’ll want to take steps to keep your floors in great shape. Engineered hardwood floors are especially stylish in any home.

They add the beautiful look of authentic wood flooring with the added benefits of being stronger and more stable than solid hardwood. While engineered hardwood is more durable, it can still be susceptible to scratches, especially in high-traffic areas and in busy homes with pets and kids. Learn how to fix scratches on engineered hardwood floors to make sure that your flooring always makes a stellar first impression.

What You Will Need To Fix Scratches On Engineered Hardwood

To fix scratches on engineered hardwood, you’ll need floor repair wax. Almost all hardware stores and home improvement stores have this material in stock. Make sure you get a type of wax with the correct color for your floor. Some waxes come in a stick-shaped similar to a crayon or marker. Other waxes are sold as blocks.

Larger floor repair kits can be somewhat pricey at around $60 or more. However, you may find that these kits include many of the other supplies and tools you need to complete the job. In addition, you can continue to use the kit in the years to come since you’ll find plenty of wax for future uses in the kit. Many wax repair kits come with multiple shades of color so that you have the option to blend colors to get an exact match with your floors.

Besides your repair kit, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:

• Broom
• Washcloth
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swabs
• Plastic putty knife
• White cotton cloth
• Painter’s tape (optional)

Gather these materials and make sure everything is clean before you begin. You’ll want all your supplies to be close at hand during the process to avoid moving around and bringing dust into the area while you work.

Prepare the Area

Do you have many scratches you’re planning to fix at one time? If so, move furniture and rugs out of the way and mark each one with painter’s tape so that you don’t lose track of where you’ve been working.

Next, sweep the floor thoroughly. You’ll want to lift any dust and debris out of and away from the scratches.

5 Steps to Fixing Scratches

Follow the five steps below to fix a scratch:

1. Clean the area.
2. Really get in there.
3. Prep your floor wax according to the directions.
4. Fill the scratch.
5. Lightly wipe the floor using a cotton cloth.

If you’ve fixed a number of scratches and feel as though the results don’t blend in perfectly, you may want to consider staining your engineered hardwood floors. The stain will help to lock in the wax you’ve applied and create a more even and consistent color throughout the room so that the fixed scratches blend in.

Buff It Out

If you’re dealing with a very fine, shallow scratch that penetrates only the wood veneer surface and not the wood itself, you may be able to buff it away rather than using a wax repair kit. To accomplish this task, use very fine grit sandpaper and lightly buff the scratch as you move in the direction of the grain of the wood. Use a tack cloth to clear away dust and debris once you’re finished sanding.

The veneer on your engineered hardwood flooring is likely only 1/16- to 1/8-inch thick. Therefore, this technique will work only for very light scratches. Don’t use too much pressure while sanding since excess force could permanently damage the wood under the veneer layer.

Alternative Methods to Fix Scratches on Engineered Hardwood

While using a floor repair wax or light buffing works for many homeowners, you can consider alternative methods to remove the appearance of scratches on engineered hardwood flooring. Discover some of the other scratch repair strategies you may want to try:

• Steel wool:
• Wood filler:
• Seal the area:

Engineered hardwood floors are designed to last for decades. In fact, top-quality brands may last up to a century. With such a long lifespan and a house full of pets and children, some scratches are bound to develop. To make scratches disappear and keep your floors looking beautiful for decades to come, carefully apply one of the methods described above.