How to Clean Scuff Marks on Painted Wood Staircases

Wooden stairs can add a beautiful addition and value to your home.

Painted wooden staircases are beautiful additions to any home. This wood flooring adds value to your home, but it has certain do's and dont's when it comes to care, cleaning and maintenance. Scuff marks are inevitable because it is flooring that you walk on. When cleaning the scuff marks, choose your cleaners wisely. You can't use just any cleaner on painted wood surfaces because you can damage the paint and the wood.

Things You'll Need

• Multipurpose cleaner
• Damp cloth

Instructions

1. Spray the multipurpose cleaner directly onto the scuff mark. You should hold the spray bottle about 6 inches from the scuff mark and spritz the mark so that the spray covers the entire scuff mark, but does not form a puddle.

2. Use the cloth to gently scrub, in a circular motion, the scuff marks off the stairs.

3. Rinse the cloth in hot water and wipe away the remaining cleaner off of the paint.

4. Allow the steps to air dry before walking on them. This will ensure that the paint is not accidentally chipped or scraped off while it's wet.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use abrasive surfaces on your painted wood. This can damage the paint and cause a need for repainting the wood.

References

• Finishing Wood Floors: Wood Floor Maintenance
• Cleaning Guides: How to Remove Scuff Marks from the Wall