As much you love to keep your floors clean, there is no way you can avoid scuff marks, especially if you have children at home! Since the floors are the most common region where marks remain an eyesore, removing the scuffs is of utmost importance. The flooring type limits the cleaning methods to avoid ruining the overall appearance. Always ensure that you test the cleaner with a small unnoticeable area; this way, you can see if the area dries with the proper coloring and gloss.
Here are the top ten ways to get rid of those stubborn scuff marks.
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Use A Shoe
The most common culprit for these unsightly marks is dark-soled shoes. The most common method employed to tackle it is using another shoe. But make sure they are clean and light-soled.
Take a clean tennis shoe, put your hand into the shoe, and use the shoe’s heel to press against the scuff mark gently. Don’t apply too much pressure. If applying pressure does not work, twist the shoe back and forth for the desired effect.
Use An Eraser
Make use of the old stationery supplies in your home. Rub off the scuff marks using the eraser. Make sure the erases are clean and without any residue of the graphite on them. Remember to clean the shavings immediately.
This works best against dark flooring where the marks need lightening. If you have marks against light flooring, don’t use this method.
Nail Polish Remover
The acetone works well on everything! Be it to remove the nail paints or make the scuff marks go away, damp dome cotton or microfiber cloth with acetone and scrub the scuff mark until it comes off. Ensure you don’t increase the scrubbing area beyond the scuff mark; clean with a moist cloth and dry after scrubbing. Not all flooring can withstand the small amount of acetone in nail polish, so be careful if you have sensitive flooring with a glossy topcoat.
Kitchen Supplies
If you have to remove scuff marks from hardy floors, you can use abrasive cleaners to bring the scuff off quickly. First, prepare a mixture of baking soda and warm water in a 1:1 ratio. Next, use a clean, soft cloth to rub this mixture on the mark in a circular motion. After cleaning, wash out the residue and dry the floor.
Squeeze Some Lemons
Similar to baking soda solution, the lemons are slightly abrasive and can clean several marks. After wiping the scuff marks, squeeze in lemon juice directly to the scuff mark. Once the liquid has started to work its action, scrub gently with a soft cloth and clean the area. This is another remedy that you should be wary of if you have sensitive flooring.
Alcohol
Another solution to rub the scuff off is an alcohol solution. Dab some alcohol onto a soft cotton pad and hold it over the scuff for some time. Once the scuff is wet, rub the cotton in a circular motion to remove anything left.
Use only mild or less concentrated ones for cleaning purposes. If you are buying a commercial one, make sure they do not have any bleaching agent, as the bleach will make the color fade away. Once again, this is a method to be wary of if you have floors with a glossy topcoat.
Dish Out The Soap
The dish soaps are fair enough to work against scuff marks. Use a sponge or clean cloth to apply the soap onto the scuff mark. Gently rub the spot until it comes off. Wipe away the soapy solution with a damp cloth.
Tennis Ball
Take a tennis ball to scrub the scuff mark. The tennis ball can be an excellent tool to remove the spot as long as it is clean. Pick up the ball and gently scrub the scuff mark with it. Alternatively, you can stick it up on a broom and use it to nudge the scuff mark. This is a perfect method if you have floors with a glossy surface.
Toothpaste
If you thought toothpaste was only for your teeth, think again. Use your toothpaste as the cleaning agent against scuff marks on the floor. Apply a small amount of paste on an old brush and scrub gently in a circular motion. After doing the scrubbing, clean the area with a dry towel.
Conclusion
While trying out any method, bear in mind the chemical potential of the mixture. If the cleaning solution is too abrasive, it will leave an unsightly spot more significant than the scuff. Though these DIY solutions are unlikely to leave a mark, beware while using these tips on light-colored flooring.
