How To Fix Dog Scratches On Wood Floor
Wood flooring is a lovely and popular choice for houses, but it can be scratched if you have a dog. Dogs’ nails are razor-sharp, and often scratch flooring out of boredom or excitement.
Accidents will happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with the consequences. So, if your dog scratched up your wood floor, there’s no need to be embarrassed. The good news is that the scratches can be repaired and made less apparent and knowing how to fix dog scratches on wood floor will go a long way
While a strong polyurethane seal on wood floors is said to be the best defense against urine stains and surface scuffs, it won’t completely protect the wood.
However, in this article, you’ll learn about how to fix dog scratches on wood floors, as well as which option is appropriate for your particular circumstance. So don’t be concerned; your floor can be restored to its former glory in no time.
Also Read: Top 4 Best Paint Sprayer for oil-based paint
How to Get Rid of Dog Scratches on Wood Furniture
As attractive as wood is, it can be readily scratched unless it is laminated or has a high-quality finish.
Some scratches are minor and easy to remove, while others (such as those produced by cat kneading or a dog who likes to run and slide in a specific portion of a hallway) are more serious and require a more concentrated approach.
Minimum scratches
If the scratches are subtle and you don’t have wood stain on hand, you can attempt a couple of quick fixes with common home items:
- Vinegar and olive oil: Combine 34 cups of olive oil and 14 cups of vinegar in a mixing bowl. Use a clean rag to apply it.
- Lemon juice and oil: Similarly, you can combine equal parts fresh-squeezed lemon juice (not the store-bought stuff that claims to be fresh) with your preferred cooking oil. Wipe excess from around the scratch with a microfiber towel.
- Black tea: For generations, tea has been used to stain items in various colors of brown or to make them appear aged. Warm up a few tablespoons of water and steep a tea bag in it, squeezing out the dark tea. Dip a cotton swab in dark tea and run it along with the scratch, varying the intensity of the tea to better match the wood stain’s tone.
Minor but noticeable scratches
Check for minor scratches after you’ve cleaned the floor or furniture. You will need the following:
- A clean, soft cloth
- Cleansing wood
- A near match for your floor/furniture wood finish repair pen or stick (you can also use a colored wood polish if you have one).
- Polyurethane or shellac (for glossy wood)
If necessary, a brush for applying shellac
- To attach to the wood, the stain needs a smooth surface. Clean the area surrounding the scratches, as well as the interior of the scratches, with your rag and your wood cleaner according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- When the area is completely dry, use a rag to apply the colored polish or a wood finish restoration pen. Apply only one coat, wait for it to dry, and then review. It’s easier to add extra stain if necessary rather than removing too much stain. Add a second coat if necessary.
- Apply a coat of shellac to your polished floor or furniture with the brush and let it dry. If necessary, apply a second coat to replicate the original finish.
How to fix dog scratches on wood floors
If your beloved pet friend(s) has produced more severe scratches or dings, you’ll need these important supplies indicated below, as well as:
- Walnut
- Sandpaper
- A wood stain that closely matches the finish of the floor/furniture
All of the items listed above can be found at your local hardware shop. Instructions on how to fix dog scratches on wood floors:
1. Gently clean your wooden floors.
Because dull wood can amplify scratches and worn areas, and dirt particles crushed into wood floors can exacerbate scratches, your first line of defense should be a thorough but careful cleaning.
Never use brooms or abrasive scrub pads on a floor, and never immerse it in water or liquid cleanser. Instead, clean dust, hair, and surface debris with a soft mop or a vacuum (with the appropriate attachment).
To clean, put two to four drops of liquid soap into a quart of water in a spray bottle, then spray your polyurethane-finished floor with the solution, then distribute it with a dry microfiber mop. Following that, softly spray with fresh water and buff with a soft, dry cloth.
2. Scratch the wood floor and sand it down.
Wood floors can be revived with a little elbow grease. To smooth out damage, all you need is fine-grained sandpaper. Then, sand the floor in the direction of the grain.
Choose a secluded spot (under the bed, in a closet) to patch-test a wood stain that matches your floor color, as you’ll need to reapply the stain that you’ve rubbed away in the process. Patch tests a urethane finish after you’ve found the correct stain.
A water-based urethane dries rapidly and leaves a clear, lustrous finish that is perfect for newer floors—but it may generate too much contrast if the floors have darkened over time.
Oil-based urethanes have a strong odor, but they dry with a yellow tinge that darkens over time, which may be more appropriate for an older floor’s color. Ensure the sanded surface is very smooth and clean before applying a stain or finishing.
3. To hide scratches on the wood, rub walnuts over them.
Walnuts are high in natural emollients and brown pigments, which help to restore and improve the appearance of worn, scratched wood.
With your fingertips, warm the oil in the nut, and then rub it into the worn portions of the floor in small circular motions. Let the oil absorb for some minutes before polishing with a soft cloth.
On unpainted or recently sanded flooring, coconut oil can also help to reduce scratch marks. For a richer-looking wood, apply a thin coat of coconut oil with a brush or sponge; let it sit for five minutes, then buff with a soft cloth.
4. Make an effective homemade refresher from pantry ingredients.
You can make use of a mixture of baking soda and olive oil to minimize and eliminate scratches on wood. Vacuum your floor completely, and then apply baking soda that has been wet with a few drops of olive oil to any areas that have been scarred.
After waiting five minutes, buff in with a soft sponge. Clean with a moist cloth and a towel after cleaning.
5. Look into scratch-repair products for wood floors.
Products like Scratch Away and Scratch Cover help to clean, polish, and minimize the appearance of scratch marks caused by dirt, shoes, pets, and furniture scratches on both wood and laminate floors.
This nourishing oil moisturizes while hiding unsightly scuff marks. Using a soft cloth, clean the wood surfaces.
6. Use a wood stain to fill in the scratches.
A wood stain, which comes in oil-based, water-based, gel and combination variants, can help hide deep scratches. Oil-based stains take longer to cure and are more difficult to work with, but they offer the most vibrant, long-lasting color.
Water-based stains on the other hand, come in a variety of colors and are simple to apply and remove. Choose the correct stain formula for your wood’s finish, and use the liquid color to thoroughly fill in the scratch.
Remove any excess discoloration and set it aside to dry. Stain markers and blending pencils are also available, though you may need to experiment with color combinations to find the exact match for your floor.
Apply to the scrape as directed on the package, wipe away any excess, and let dry completely.
7. Use a specialized care product to shine and revitalize your wood.
Without sanding or buffing, Wood Floor Reviver can help restore the beauty and sheen of wood floors. Remove any dust and dirt from the surface before applying a single layer of paint with a clean paint pad and allowing it to dry.
8. Remove the previous finish and begin again.
You can strip wood floors to reveal their unfinished beauty if they’re in bad repair and covered in layers of polyurethane, varnish, or even paint.
Choose a low-fume liquid stripping product. Follow the product instructions carefully, and then remove any excess stripper using fine-grade steel wool, working in the direction of the grain.
If you’re just going to strip a small piece of your floor, make sure you’ve patch-tested a matching stain and polyurethane finish to use after the stripping.
Conclusion: How To Fix Dog Scratches On Wood Floor
When significant wear and tear is obvious, the time and labor-intensive procedure of entire floor refinishing may be required, and in most circumstances, this is a task best left to the professionals.
Dogs are extremely difficult on our prized wood floors, from their natural proclivity to dig and scratch to the “small mishaps” they occasionally leave behind. However, with the scratch repair solutions above, you may diminish or perhaps entirely eliminate less serious scratches and discoloration, restoring your wood floors to their former splendor.
One of the greatest techniques to keep your floors from getting scratched is to keep your dog’s nails cut so they don’t click when he walks, and make sure the fur between his paw pads is trimmed so he doesn’t slip, and clean and dry the flooring right away when he has an accident.
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