How to Touch Up Wood Floors

Conceal scratches on a wood floor with a wax filler stick.

Wood floors are susceptible to scratches and gouges which may occur regardless of how careful you are to protect your floor. When you do notice a scratch, don't panic, chances are you can fill the scratch in with a cheap wax filler stick available from a home improvement or flooring store. The key is to locate a stick of the same shade as your floor; before going to a home improvement store, contact the manufacturer of your floor to find out if they offer a wax filler stick or repair kit designed to be an exact match.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Damp rag
• Wax filler stick
• Plastic spatula
• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Purchase a wax filler stick in the same shade as your wood floor. If possible, take a spare piece of wood leftover from your floor's installation to choose the best possible match. If you cannot find an exact match, choose a slightly darker shade rather than a lighter shade.

2. Sweep the floor to remove any dirt from the scratched area. If the floor is sticky from a spill, wipe it away with a damp rag.

3. Rub the wax filler stick over the scratch in your floor as if you were coloring it in with a crayon. Don't worry if some of the wax gets on the floor outside of the scratch.

4. Scrape evenly across the filled in scratch with a plastic spatula to smooth the surface of the scratch.

5. Rub around the outside of the scratch with a soft cloth to blend any remaining wax into the floor.

References

• Swiffer; Hardwood Floor Care Tips
• Briwax; Wax Filler Sticks