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REMOVING FURNITURE SCRATCHES
15 DIY TRICKS

Scratched FurnitureScratched Furniture

Removing furniture scratches, the ones that make your furniture look old and tired, can add years to the useful life and appearance of your wood furniture. There are many DIY tricks you can use to cover those unsightly marks, depending on the color of the wood, the depth of the nicks and scratches, and the materials on hand.

You may want to try one of the DIY tricks listed below for removing furniture scratches:

#1.    CAR POLISH

Car PolishCar Polish

Use very lightly so as not to remove any of the furniture finish.

#2 COFFEE

Coffee GroundsCoffee Grounds

Coffee can be used in either of 2 ways for removing furniture scratches on dark woods:

  • Strongly brewed coffee can be painted onto the scratches with a cotton ball. Wipe off the excess with a paper towel. 
  • Another way to use coffee is to rub the coffee grounds into the scratches with a cotton swab.

#3 CRAYONS

CrayonsCrayons

This is one of the best ways to match the color of furniture wood and it works very well for scratches that are deeply set.

If you cannot find a close match to your furniture color, you can mix crayon colors together by grating part of the crayons into a bowl. Place the bowl in a pan of boiling water to melt the wax. Drip this wax into the scratches and smooth it with a butter knife.

#4 EYEBROW PENCIL

Eyebrow PencilEyebrow Pencil

This procedure is good for small scratches. Use an oil-based eyebrow pencil to color in the scratches.

#5 IODINE

Cotton Swabs with IodineCotton Swabs with Iodine

The procedure for using iodine for removing furniture scratches from dark wood is similar to that of using coffee. Paint some iodine on the scratch with a cotton ball or swab and wipe the excess with a paper towel.

#6 LEMON JUICE

Lemon JuiceLemon Juice

This procedure works well for small scratches. Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and vegetable or olive oil. Rub the scratches in one direction until they disappear.

#7 MARKERS

MarkersMarkers

If you can find a marker that matches your furniture’s color, you may be able to successfully hide those unsightly nicks and scratches.

#8 MAYONNAISE

MayonnaiseMayonnaise

You may have already heard of using mayonnaise to remove white rings from furniture. The purpose of using mayonnaise for removing furniture scratches is the oils contained in the mayonnaise will expand the wood and fill the scratch.

The procedure is to cover the scratches with mayonnaise. Do not wipe the excess away for 2 to 3 days.

#9 MINERAL OIL & PUMICE

Mineral OilMineral Oil
PumicePumice

Mix mineral oil and pumice to make a paste and use an extra-fine-grade of steel wool to rub the mixture onto the scratched area. Wipe the area off with a clean cloth and buff with a dry cloth.

#10 PAINT

PaintPaint

NOTE: This procedure does not work if the furniture has a polyurethane finish.

Apply a watercolor or an oil-based paint to the wood in a color slightly darker than the furniture finish. Dab some of the paint onto the scratches with a brush.

#11 PEANUT BUTTER

Peanut ButterPeanut Butter

This procedure is a good one to try for large gouges in the wood.

Rub peanut butter into the scratch and do not touch for at least an hour. Wipe off the excess and buff it out with a dry cloth.

#13 PETROLEUM JELLY

Petroleum JelllyPetroleum Jellly

Apply petroleum jelly over the scratches and leave it on overnight. This works similar to the use of mayonnaise. The surrounding wood will expand and fill in the scratch. You can then wipe it away and polish your furniture.

#14 TEA

Tea BagTea Bag

Let a black tea bag steep for 2 to 3 minutes in a few tablespoons of hot water. It will get darker the longer it steeps so you may be able to match your wood color better if the wood is darker by steeping for a longer amount of time.

Dab some of the tea into the scratches with a cotton swab. Wipe away the excess with a paper towel. More than one application may be needed.

#14 VINEGAR & OLIVE OIL

VinegarVinegar
Olive OilOlive Oil

Mix equal amounts of vinegar and olive oil and rub it over the scratches.

#15 WALNUT

WalnutWalnut

Rub a walnut kernel over the scratches. The meat of the walnut will fill the scratch and smooth it.

Rubbing some walnut oil on the scratches with a soft cloth may also help in removing furniture scratches.

CAUTION WHEN REMOVING FURNITURE SCRATCHES WITH DIY TRICKS

It is always best to try any of these procedures in small areas at a time, preferably ones that could be covered with a doily or a lamp in case a procedure does not work.


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