Like any piece of furniture at home, engineered hardwood floors aren’t immune to wear and tear—even though they’re designed to be more resistant to scratches. Scratches can take away the pristine look of your floor that you fell in love with on the first day. So, the question is how to avoid scratches on engineered wood flooring and how to fix them.
You can usually fix scratches on engineered hardwood floors using floor repair wax, fine steel wool, or wood filler. However, sand scrubbing is not a viable solution. To avoid scratches on engineered hardwood floors, cover the bottom of your furniture with pads and place rugs on high-traffic areas.
In the rest of this article, you’ll learn about the basics of engineered hardwood and how it’s different from other types of wood used in flooring. You’ll also discover how to avoid scratches, and we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to remove scratches.
Common Mistakes in Cleaning Engineered Hardwood Floors
Keeping engineered hardwood floors in good shape starts with adequate cleaning.
Improper vacuuming is one of the most common mistakes in cleaning engineered hardwood floors. Make sure you use the hard floor setting on the vacuum cleaner, so it doesn’t scratch the finish.
To clean stuck-on stains, don’t use abrasive cleaning tools like steel wool scrubbers or brushes with wire bristles. Microfiber scrubbers and mops are the best option for this kind of floor.
Avoid excessive moisture when cleaning the floor. This means using as little water as possible while mopping the floor and avoiding steam cleaning. Steam penetrates wood easily and can make it bulge.
Also, some homeowners might go overboard and use harsh cleaning products such as bleach. Before choosing a floor cleaner, make sure it doesn’t contain chemicals that might ruin your floor.
How to Avoid Scratches on Engineered Hardwood Floors
The upper finish of engineered wood flooring is hardwood, which makes it resistant to scratches. But, since this upper layer is thin, you can’t use sanding techniques to remove scratches.
So, it’s better to prevent scratches as much as possible to avoid future problems.
Here’s how you can keep your engineered hardwood free of scratches.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on 2020-09-05.
Clean the Surfaces Regularly
Since gritty substances can damage the finish, you should make sure your floor is always dirt-free. Ideally, sweeping is better than vacuuming since the brush head can damage the surface.
If you sweep the floor regularly, dirt and debris won’t build up, and you won’t need to vacuum. A broom with soft bristles is the best option for cleaning engineered hardwood. But if you choose to vacuum, make sure the vacuum cleaner is lightweight, so that it doesn’t leave scratches all over the floor.
Mopping is also a good idea, but be careful not to use too much water since it can penetrate the surface and make the floor warp.
Apply Extra Layers of Coating
Some engineered hardwood floors come with additional layers of topcoat. But to ensure maximum protection, you can apply extra DIY protective coats. There’s a wide variety of options available, from traditional wax to different types of polyurethane.
Although wax is a popular solution, it needs refinishing more often. Moisture-cured urethane is among the toughest topcoats on the market, but it’s not DIY since the installation process involves high amounts of dangerous fumes.
Another option is polyurethane, which comes in oil-based and water-based variations. While both of them are easy to apply, strong, and affordable, the oil-based type is more effective.
Cover High-traffic Surfaces
Walking on the floor, especially with shoes, makes it more prone to scratches. Rugs are perfect options to shield the floors. Put rugs or mats, especially in the entrance areas and high traffic places. They can also be an ideal addition to highlight the beauty of your floor.
Use Pet Rugs
Pets can also scratch engineered hardwood floors with their claws. The first solution is to keep their claws short. So regularly trim or file your pet’s nails even if it requires going to the groomer more often.
It’s also a good idea to cover the areas where your pet walks more frequently. This is also good for your pets because they can walk easier on rugs than on the wooden surfaces.
How to Fix Scratches on Engineered Hardwood Floors
No matter how well you take care of your floor, you will inevitably see some scratches sooner or later. Don’t worry because there are ways to fix scratches on engineered hardwood floors.
Here’s how you can make these scratches disappear.
Use Floor Repair Wax
There are wax-based repair kits that are made explicitly for engineered hardwood floors. These kits usually contain many shades of wax. So, you can pick the shade that matches your floor. And even if you don’t find an exact match, you can mix different shades from the kit to create the ideal color.
These kits usually come with all the extra tools you need for the job, including a WaxWedge that helps you remove excess wax and a buffing pad that lets you create a bright finish. The Laserjamb FastCap Softwax Kit and the Enertwist Floor Repair Kit are excellent choices if you intend to deal with the scratches on your own.
Whether you buy a kit or just a tube of wax, here’s what you need to do to fix the scratches:
First, clear the area of any furniture that might block your view. Then clean the floor carefully so that the scratches are dust-free.
Apply rubbing alcohol to the scratched area using a cloth or a cotton swab to make sure every speck of dust is gone.
Now, it’s time to reach for the wax and find a shade that matches the color of the floor. If you can’t find the exact color, mix different shades to get your desired color.
Take a small amount of wax using a putty knife and put it into the scratch. Gently rub it on the scratch until the wax covers the whole area and fills it. Remove any extra wax by moving the flat end of the knife along the scratch. There should be just enough wax inside the scratch, not too much, not too little.
Now it’s time to clean up your work and remove the extra wax. Using a cotton cloth, very gently buff the area. If you don’t do it gently, you might remove the wax in the scratches, and you have to start all over.
Use Floor Polish Liquid
If your floor isn’t in bad shape, a sweep of floor polish liquid could be all you need to get your glossy floor back and cover the scratches. Multi-purpose, mop-on liquids such as the Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer also fill in scratches. This specific product is non-toxic and long-lasting, making it ideal for residential use.
Fine Steel Wool
For scratches that are not very deep, you can use fine steel wool to make them less pronounced. Again you need to be gentle and rub the steel wool along the grains of the wood so that you don’t create extra scratches.
Wood Filler
The color of the wood filler should also match that of the floor. Mix it according to the instructions and apply it on the scratch using a putty knife. Wait for the wood filler to dry and then wipe off the excess material with a damp cloth.
After using any of the above methods, you should seal the area to refinish it. Apply varnish or polyurethane with a brush with natural bristles or a lambswool applicator to avoid air bubbles.
Final Thoughts
Engineered hardwood floors have a very long lifespan. However, despite their impressive durability, scratches are inevitable. Using these simple steps, you can make sure your engineered hardwood floor remains as good as new throughout the years.
To avoid scratches:
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on 2020-09-05.
Keep your floor clean.
Apply extra layers of coating..
Cover high-traffic areas with a rug.
Use pet rugs.
To fix scratches, use:
Floor repair wax.
Use floor polish liquid.
Fine steel wool.
Wood filler.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on 2020-09-05.
One of the best ways to get scratches out of engineered hardwood is with a wax repair kit. Make sure you find a kit that matches the color of your wood floors. When you want to use the kit, clean the damaged area with rubbing alcohol. Make sure you get all debris out of the scratch itself.
Due to the fact that engineered flooring has a top layer of solid wood it is actually susceptible to the same drawbacks of having solid hardwood floors such as easily being scratched and dented.
As engineered wood floor has a veneer of solid wood, this means that it can be repaired - but only to an extent. For example, fine scratches in your engineered wood floor are easily repairable and only involve filling with a thin layer of putty or sanding a thin layer off the top of your flooring.
Rejuvenate® Professional Wood Floor Restorer is meant to be used on hardwood floors ONLY. Do not use this product on laminates or any other flooring surface besides hardwood or engineered wood. For any flooring other than hardwood, please refer to our Rejuvenate All Floors Restorer Guide.
Use a DIY solution of apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Mix the two and apply the mixture to the scratch. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off.
Rub a wax stick over the scratch to fill it in. Buff the wax to smooth it out and restore shine to the floor.
The Swiffer® WetJet Wood™ system features a unique dual-nozzle sprayer that will coat your Hearthwood engineered hardwood floor evenly with an ultra-fine mist. This will loosen dirt so that you can maneuver the flexible swivel head and microfiber-like pads to absorb and lift dirt, grime, and germs off of your floor.
If you want added protection from scratching, select engineered hardwood with HDF – or high-density fiberboard – instead of plywood as the core material. HDF is heavier, stronger, and denser than plywood, so it resists scratching better and makes your floors sturdier than plywood does.
Though durable on the surface, engineered hardwoods are bonded using adhesives, and the steam cleaning can affect the quality of those adhesives. Moisture can seep between the layers, weakening the bond and permanently damaging the floors. Avoid using steam mops on engineered hardwood floors.
With regular wear and tear, the finish on your hardwood floor should last about 7-10 years. Floors in high-traffic areas or that are exposed to a lot of sunlight may need to be refinished more often. So if we do some quick math, your hardwood floors will last up to 60 years with being refinished every ten years!
One way to change your floor's color is by glazing. This method allows you to avoid sanding and refinishing, which is why it works best for engineered hardwood floors with a thin veneer layer.
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.
Fabric pads and glides are excellent ways to guard your floors from scuffs and scratches due to furniture. Plan your selection of pads according to how often the furniture is moved. Avoid plastic wheeled furniture since they can easily scratch and mar floors.
Fixing scratches on hardwood floors is easily achievable. With a little elbow grease, a small can of stain, and a fine-grit sandpaper, you can repair scratches on any wood floor. After sanding in the direction of the grain, apply a tiny amount of stain. If you are nervous using stain, try a walnut.
Aluminum oxide is a naturally occurring mineral that provides an extremely long-lasting protective coating on hardwood floors. It protects the floor from scratches, fading, water damage, scuffs, and general wear and tear without changing the color of the wood or hiding its grain.
Engineered wood flooring features a solid wood veneer as the surface of the plank. This means that you can apply oil to the planks of engineered wood, however make sure that the flooring does not have a lacquered finish already applied. Otherwise, you will need to sand down the veneer before applying the oil.
You can fix scratches quickly using simply oil and vinegar from your kitchen! Mix 3/4 cup vegetable oil and 1/4 cup white vinegar in a bowl and wipe the mixture on any wood scratch using a rag or paper towel. This does an incredible job of matching to the existing wood and disguising shallow scratches!
Fill scratches in wood furniture: If your furniture has any scratches or cracks, you can fix them by applying mayonnaise in and around the affected area. Let it sit for a few days if you want to get the best results before wiping off and buffing with a cloth.
Dry cleaning is the best way to clean engineered wood floors, rather than wet cleaning. Vacuum and brush regularly and occasionally use a damp, well wrung-out cloth/mop. For best results, use Kährs Cleaner diluted in water or ready-mixed Kährs Spray Cleaner.
Try using Swiffer WetJet Wood Starter Kit. Its solution breaks up the tough, sticky messes with ease and reveals the natural beauty of your floors with little effort.
Engineered wood flooring consists of plywood, HDF, or softwood, combined with a layer of hardwood. The durable nature of engineered wood means that it should last for at least 25 to 30 years before needing replaced.
Selecting a floor such as Hickory, Hard Maple or White Oak can protect your floor from damage, as these hardwoods are less susceptible to scratches than softer woods like Pine, Cherry or Black Walnut. Hardwoods with more dramatic grain patterns can help to hide scratches more easily.
Power Beam® is the strongest engineered wood product (EWP) on the market with design values of 3000Fb - 2.1E - 300Fv. Power Beam® is manufactured with superior strength southern yellow pine MSR Lumber.
Dish soap is a gentle cleaner that won't damage the natural wood, and it's perfect for light jobs and daily upkeep alike. In a large bucket, mix two to three tablespoons of dish soap with one gallon of warm water.
But, most experts don't recommend steam mops for wooden or laminate flooring, or for surfaces with potential gaps such as vinyl tiles or vinyl planking. A hardwood floor may have small cracks that are invisible to the naked eye.
Rooms with higher foot traffic could use a mop about once a week, while less-used areas probably only need it once a month. Additionally, if your engineered hardwood floor begins to dull, it's time to bring out the mop. Always keep your mop or cloth slightly damp rather than wet.
Generally speaking, it is almost always less expensive to refinish your hardwood floors than to replace them. That's because replacing them involves paying for additional wood, the installation itself, as well as labor costs for tearing up and hauling away the existing hardwood.
Refinishing engineered hardwood floors is ideal if your wear layer is thick. You may be able to refinish your flooring up to three times if the wear layer measures at least three millimeters thick. A wear layer that's less than two-millimeter thick can sustain damage if you refinish it more than once.
This depends on the condition of the floor. If it's badly worn and uneven, start with a coarse sandpaper followed by successively less coarse papers. Sandpaper grits for wooden flooring generally range from 16 through to 150 grit, with 16 being the most aggressive and 150 the finest.
Flooring pros usually charge $3 to $8 per square foot, so a single bedroom could cost $300 to $800, while a whole home will range from $2,400 to $6,000. These costs vary based on the following factors: Size: The more square footage that needs refinishing, the more it will cost.
Paste-based toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive that levels out the scratch, removing it or making it less noticeable. It's important, however, to proceed with caution: Use the wrong technique, and you could dull the finish or create more scratches, worsening the problem.
A screening or buffing uses a fine grit of sandpaper only loosening up the top layer of the polyurethane. This is a great way to remove surface scratches and dirt from your floors. An application of polyurethane adds a coat of protection and sparkle back to your hardwood floors!
Vinegar is another common household item that can be used for car scratch repair. Mix vinegar and water in equal ratios and apply it to the affected area with a clean cloth. Rub the mixture into the scratch circular motion and then rinse it off with clean water.
One of the best ways to get scratches out of engineered hardwood is with a wax repair kit. Make sure you find a kit that matches the color of your wood floors. When you want to use the kit, clean the damaged area with rubbing alcohol. Make sure you get all debris out of the scratch itself.
For shallow scratches, you can gently buff out the damage with fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool. Remember that the veneer on engineered hardwood flooring is much thinner than solid hardwood. You should only try to buff out scratches if they are only in the wood veneer and don't penetrate the wood beneath.
Most light scratches can be fixed by polishing the clear coat with a rubbing compound. It will remove the damaged layer and leave your paint looking good as new. If the scratch is deep, you may need to sand the area before polishing it. It will remove any rough edges and make it easier to apply the compound evenly.
Polyurethane-based products are ideal for finishing your wood floors because they're durable and resist scratching. Other options, such as varnishes, are also available.
To buff out a small scratch in your floor polish by hand, rub brass wool over the damage until the scratch or ding has been leveled out and you can't see it anymore. Then, re-polish the area by applying hardwood floor wax with a terrycloth towel and rubbing it into the area.
The simple answer is that it depends on the wood. While wood flooring isn't as resistant to scratches as stone or tile, some types of wood are harder to scratch than others. The scratch resistance depends on the type of wood, the grain pattern and whether or not it's protected by a hard finish.
Use fine-grit sandpaper to buff out minor damages. You can rub a raw walnut over a scratch, or you can apply a thin layer of coconut oil to blemishes and then buff in the oil. Use a blending pencil to fill in and color small scratches but be sure to pick the right color.
Engineered hardwood is made by stacking layers of plywood in alternating patterns. This flooring type is more stable than solid hardwood and, unlike the latter, can be used in higher humidity areas. However, waxing isn't advised since it can dull the veneer and make the floor slippery.
When it comes to how to change the color of your engineered hardwood floor, sanding and refinishing is by far the most popular method. Sanding removes the existing finish, creating a fresh start for your new color. Take care to sand only engineered hardwood floors that have a thick enough veneer layer.
If you want to clean your floors with items you already have in your pantry, simply grab a bottle of dish soap, a bucket, and your hardwood floor mop. Dish soap is a gentle cleaner that won't damage the natural wood, and it's perfect for light jobs and daily upkeep alike.
Engineered floors that come with a hardwood wear layer of thickness around 3 mm to 6 mm can be sanded and polished multiple times. And they will last for a very long time. So typically, engineered floors with 3 to 4 mm thickness can be sanded about 3 to 6 times.
A combo of baking soda and olive oil can help reduce and remove scratches from wood. Vacuum your floor thoroughly, then apply baking soda moistened with several drops of olive oil to marred areas. Wait five minutes, then buff in gently, using a soft sponge. Clean thoroughly with a damp cloth and dry with a towel.
Nearly every kitchen has olive oil and baking soda. If you combine a dab of baking soda moistened with a few drops of olive oil, you can apply the mixture to scratched areas, wait five minutes, then wipe it gently with a soft sponge. Finish by cleaning with a damp cloth and drying with a towel.
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