How to Maintain Hardwood Floors

While hardwood floors are relatively easy to keep up - sometimes the occasional scratch will send you on a frenzy - there is help available!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A trusted brand of oil soap
• A wax "pen" in the same color as your stained floors
• A little elbow grease

1. 
   Minwax Blend-Fil pencils are available in many colors and can be blended to match almost any color of wood you have

   If you move your furniture and accidentally scratch your hardwood floors, probably the best place to start is your local hardware store. They now carry wax "pens" in various stain colors that will both fill and blend the scratch in.

2. Once the scratch is there, you will want to clean the area. I recommend Murphy's Oil soap. Then, much like coloring (and staying within the lines) you will want to fill the scratch with the wax.

3. Blend the area with a cloth. I have found that "going with the grain" works best.

4. Let the wax dry overnight.

5. Then mop the entire floor with Murphy's Oil soap.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent scratches in the future, I recommend that you use coasters to place the feet (often hard wood or plastic - sometimes, even, metal) on rubber coasters.
• If you can not match the stain exactly, it is better to go lighter rather than darker!

[Susang6]

on 10/20/2008 great information, we are refinishing floors that were installed in 1928. They are in good shape but there are a few scratches. Thanks for sharing!

[jimdris]

on 4/23/2008 Great advice -thanks!

[derf]

on 3/27/2008 You may want to try Furniture Sox on your furniture legs to help prevent scratching your floors. They come in 3 colors and fit most furniture leg sizes. Works for me.

[Ceile]

on 1/14/2008 The colored wax pens are a brilliant idea! Murphy's Oil Soap is a good recommendation - it's wonderful! Thanks for the great article!

[chaddie01]

on 1/10/2008 Very helpful article...