Laminate flooring is relatively durable, but it’s not purely invincible to common problems. For one, laminate flooring can sustain scuff marks, which can’t be removed by simply wiping the area. Although scuff marks are usually superficial, some can go deeper like a scratch. So in this post, we will share how to remove scuff marks from laminate flooring, whether it’s a little dirty streak or a stubborn stain.
While scuff marks are a minor issue, they can still ruin the appearance of your laminate flooring. This is more of a concern for light-colored laminate floors.
Instead of letting scuff marks ruin your flooring, you can follow the solutions we discussed below. Check which of our hacks will do the trick for your floor.
How laminate floors develop scuff marks
Scuff marks are stains or streaks on hardwood floors. It’s often caused by hard items or objects that rubbed intensely on the floor surface. Objects with black rubber bottoms like shoes and furniture legs are the most common culprits.
Moreover, scuff marks usually occur on laminate, wood, and vinyl floors. It can be challenging to remove, especially if left on the floor for too long.
In such case, you should deal deal with floor scuff marks as soon as possible. The consolation is that you don’t really have to purchase very expensive products. Below, we listed scuff marks solutions that you can try on your laminate floor.
How to eliminate ugly scuff marks from laminate floors
Do you have scruff marks all over your floor? If so, the following methods could be the solution:
NOTE: Before trying any of these DIY solutions, make sure that you check the flooring warranty. Usually, your warranty might be forfeited if you don’t use the cleaner that the flooring provider recommended.
Method 1: Sponge and water
Before you try other solutions, it’s best to start with the simplest method. Using a sponge and clean water, try to scrub off the scuff marks from your laminate flooring. Most of the time, this works for small and fresh scuff marks.
However, if the scuff marks have been there for days, water and sponge alone won’t work. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to try this method first and see how many of the scuff marks you can remove.
After that, wipe the floor using a towel. Remember not to rub too much since it can damage your floor.
Method 2: Pencil eraser
If the basic water method didn’t work, you can try using a pencil eraser. Any school eraser will also do, but preferably one that’s only white, so there’s no risk of making more colored stains on your floor.
Also, if the pencil has residue or dark streaks, we suggest rubbing it on clean paper first. It’s because these streaks can also lead to scuff marks if rubbed on laminate floors.
If you’re worried that your kid’s dirty school eraser may ruin your floor, it’s best to use a fresh one. Also, you shouldn’t use this one on light-colored flooring.
To use this method, give the floor a good wipe using a microfiber towel. After that, scrub the scuff with a school eraser. Make sure that you sweep the eraser shavings immediately, so they won’t rub on the floor and cause more marks.
Method 3: Baking soda
For stubborn scuff marks, baking soda might help. This food-safe solution can be used even if you have pets or young kids. It’s also safe on most floors since many commercial floor cleaning products have this as an ingredient.
Aside from that, baking soda has a powerful cleaning ability that can get rid of old and deep-seated stains. But to be safe, we suggest testing this solution on an inconspicuous spot of your laminate flooring.
Observe and see if there would be sudden discoloration. If any adverse effects occur, don’t proceed with this method and consider other solutions we have here.
But if all goes well, you simply have to mix baking soda with lukewarm water. Stir it until you come up with a paste. You can add more baking soda if the consistency is too runny.
After that, put this paste to the scuff marks and allow it to soak for several minutes. Next, clean the area with a cloth.
Method 4: Nail polish remover
Another effective fix you can try to remove scuff marks is using a nail polish remover. This acetone-based solution can dissolve deep-seated scuff marks both in tile and laminate flooring.
Overall, this works even on old scuff marks. However, you should still test the nail polish remover on a small portion of your floor first. If there’s an untoward reaction, you shouldn’t proceed with it.
But if there are no issues, you can use the nail polish remover to the scuff marks. Make sure that you give the surface a good wipe first to remove any dirt that could react to the nail polish.
Once you applied the nail polish remover, rub the spot gently to lift the scuff marks. You should use a microfiber cloth after to clean the area.
You can re-apply more nail polish remover if there are still scuff marks left. However, don’t scrub the floor too intensely as it may damage the laminate coating.
Method 5: Tennis ball
A tennis ball to remove floor stains? It’s weird at first, but it’s actually a tried and tested method by many homeowners. The felt fabric used on tennis balls can wipe away fresh scuff marks better than a towel alone.
Still, make sure that the tennis balls are clean, if not new. After that, cut a small ‘X’ into the tennis ball then use a broom or mop handle to stick the ball into.
Simply buff the areas with scuff marks using the tennis ball. Be sure to stop after a few swipes to see the results.
If there are still leftover marks, you can pair this with another solution we shared here.
Method 6: Microfiber cloth
For light scuff marks, a microfiber cloth can be the single solution you need. This works well if the scuff marks are fresh and not too massive.
You only need to rub the cloth gently into the scuff marks on your laminate flooring. The mark should go away. If it didn’t, you need to use other methods like the others we shared here.
Method 7: Special floor cleaner
Lastly, for scuff marks that just won’t budge with all the solutions discussed above, a special floor cleaner might be the best answer. These cleaners are formulated specifically to eliminate stains and dirt that have gotten into your floor.
You can purchase these floor cleaners in supply stores or ask your contractor about what product is best for your laminate floor.
Moreover, you can also ask a professional flooring technician to deal with the scuff marks. This is the best decision if the scuff marks are large and widespread.
How to prevent ugly scuff marks on your floor
As much as scuff marks are unsightly, there are ways to prevent them. Read on below on how to guard your floors from these ugly stains:
1. Use durable mats
The easiest to avoid scuff marks is to cover your floors. Quality mats will act as a shield against these stains. If you don’t find mats aesthetic, you can switch to rugs that match your home.
Aside from preventing scuffs, these mats also absorb grime and moisture. It will help stretch your flooring’s lifespan in the long run.
2. Take your shoes off on the floor
Another thing you should avoid is wearing rubber shoes around the house. Rubber soles are the leading culprits to scuff marks on laminate floors, so you should take them off by the door.
Also, you can use a dedicated pair of ‘house shoes’ if you want to keep your feet warm. Choose one with light-colored soles that won’t leave stains or marks.
3. Wear sole protectors
If you simply can’t take off your shoes all the time, sole protectors are a good alternative. These are durable adhesives that are applied at the bottom of your shoes. It’s typically clear, so it won’t ruin the look of your kicks.
This has to be replaced periodically, but it’s very effective in preventing scuff marks. It’s also better than having to take your shoes off each time you enter the house.
4. Utilize furniture floor protectors
Furniture protectors are small pads placed at the bottom of your furniture legs. This will prevent the furniture from rubbing the floor and leaving scuff marks. You can purchase these protectors at a cheap cost and in various sizes.
5. Wax your floors
Waxing and polishing your floors reduce friction, thus decreasing the chance of having scruff marks. The only downside is that your floor may get slightly slippery.
With that, just aim to keep your floor clean and squeaky. Aside from avoiding stains, it’s also a good way to maintain your laminate floor.
6. Limit kids’ toys with rubber wheels
If you have young kids, avoid getting toys with rubber wheels. Such material will rub against the floor and leave the nastiest scuff marks. Worse, the marks can be all over your floor as your child moves with the toy.
If it’s unavoidable to get this kind of toy, make sure that you use carpeting or mats. You can also dedicate a room as your child’s play area to minimize the spread of scuff marks.
7. Lift, don’t drag
Lastly, lift things around instead of pulling them all over your floor. We want to emphasize this, especially if you’re moving furniture around. Aside from scuff marks, dragging heavy objects will also leave deep scratches on your laminate flooring that are hard to fix.
Final words
Knowing how to remove scuff marks from laminate flooring will save your home from ugly stains. It’s important to attack the scuff mark the moment it occurs, so it won’t dry up and settle on the floor material.
Despite being a challenging stain to remove, there are many household items suitable for this purpose. But if all else fails, it’s always smart to contract your flooring contractor.