How to remove scratches on wood according to their type

Inevitably, no matter how arduous the cleaning, over time wood will suffer wear and tear, especially in homes where there are children or pets and accidental abuse is a daily occurrence. This disease is suffered by furniture, doors and floors on which, due to bumps, rubbing or falls with objects, with objects on the surface, tears or bites of the dog or cat or simply by constant contact, marks and the dreaded scratches appear.

It’s sad, but nothing is forever. And if your intention is to take care and make your objects made of this material look like the first day, it is vital that you know the proper way to repair scratches in wood, remedy the damage and remove the scratches.

Here we tell you everything you need to know about how to remove scratches on dark, light, varnished and even lacquered wood so that, whatever the case may be, you can solve and restore your furniture in a matter of minutes. Don’t miss any detail!

How to repair scratches on wood with homemade tricks?

No matter the time, advanced, novel or elegant materials, wood will always be a favorite when it comes to buying household items and even for flooring. Undoubtedly, the warm and refined touch it brings to the environment is unmatched.

However, although at first glance it looks timeless, solid and robust, wood deteriorates, especially if it is not properly cared for. That’s when uncomfortable indentations, scratches and scrapes begin to greet you. Don’t despair! Here are the 4 best homemade tricks to remove scratches and fade light stains on wood.

Keep in mind: Remember that these methods are carried out with products of natural origin, therefore, although they are very effective, economical and environmentally friendly, they may not be as effective as chemicals specially manufactured for this purpose.

Cod liver oil

Although its odor is a little uncomfortable, it is highly recommended since ancient times to mitigate and disguise scratches on furniture, doors and various wooden objects. To use it, simply purchase it in a pharmacy or health food store and do the following:

1. Open a capsule and rub the liquid on the scratched area.
2. Wait a couple of hours until it fully penetrates the wood.
3. Rub with a soft, lint-free cloth to add shine and polish.
4. Repeat the process at least twice a week.

Walnut paste

There is a popular belief that every day gains more strength, yes, we refer to the paste with walnuts. A natural and inexpensive remedy to restore the original shine and that covers scratches light wood quickly. This is because its fat and pulp penetrate the wood and renew its appearance. See how to do it correctly:

1. Grind the nuts to a fine powder.
2. Once this is done, add a little water to moisten this powder (you can do it with water or with olive oil to make it even more pasty).
3. Wait a few minutes for the mixture to thicken and rub the wooden furniture with it several times and let it dry completely.
4. Remove excess nut paste by wiping with your finger or a clean cloth.
5. Repeat the procedure weekly.

Note: You can also try cracking open a walnut and rubbing the fruit directly on the scratch until it releases the oil and melts on the wood, darkening it and hiding the scratch.

Natural furniture wax

This is one of the most commonly used for furniture finishing, turpentine wax is also recommended. This solid and versatile material is commonly found in do-it-yourself, fine arts, hardware or specialty stores for this type of repairs. It is suitable for covering cracks and scratches in solid wood as well as for restoring antique furniture.

Simply rub a good amount of wax on the surface to be treated with a cloth or wipe a piece of solid wax directly to fill in the cracks that have been made and polish with a soft sponge or cloth. If the wood still feels dry, reapply until it looks wet and shiny.

Coffee sediments

This is a great technique for removing scratches on dark wood such as rubber or acacia. This is due to the fact that this is a coloring material, which, when in contact with the scratch, helps to reduce its visibility to a great extent. Likewise, using the leftover coffee grounds is ideal for reducing stains, filling cracks and improving the appearance of old, scratched wood.

1. Lightly moisten the coffee grounds with linseed or olive oil.
2. Apply the mixture to the furniture by pressing firmly with your fingertips.
3. Let stand for one hour and remove the residues with a brush after this time.
4. Rub with a clean, dry cloth to polish and apply furniture wax (as above) to set the color.
5. Perform this procedure once a week for best results.

And if the wood is darker, such as mahogany or cherry, use iodine with a cotton swab.

How to remove scratches on varnished wood?

This is a somewhat complicated process depending on the size of the scratch that has been caused, however, with the right materials it is simple. So if you were wondering There are two ways:

• If it is a light scratch, try a pen or marker in a color identical to the wood. Paint over the mark and then apply a coat of varnish. Before painting with the marker, we recommend that you try it in a corner or a hidden place to test if it is similar.

You can also use almond oil or furniture polish to hide small marks. All you have to do is dampen a soft cloth in this liquid, rub the wood until it is completely filled, let it dry and cover with varnish.

• If it is a deep scratch, it changes a little. The proper way is to paint with a fine brush and varnish the area. Once dry, tear carefully with a spatula and remove any remaining varnish. When finished, pour repair liquid and rub with a clean gauze or cloth to give the wood a shiny appearance.

How to repair scratches on lacquered furniture?

Each type of wood requires a special treatment, in the case of lacquered furniture, the steps are as follows:

1. Remove all the dirt present on the wood with a brush dampened in warm water and dish soap and then dry the surface thoroughly.
2. Apply and spread a coat of paste wax (light or dark, this will depend on the color of the furniture) and polish with a clean cloth. If you do not have wax, you can prepare a homemade product with lemon juice (or white vinegar) and olive oil in equal parts and rub the scratches with a microfiber cloth, the results are very similar.
3. Once this is done, cover the scratch with a coat of nail polish, which will smooth the finish and make the mark disappear.
4. Finally, sand the area a little with sandpaper and apply varnish. Do not forget to ventilate the environment and wear a mask to avoid intoxication.

And don’t forget that prevention is the key, so learn to how to clean wooden doors and furniture properly and be alert to any signs of danger for this material, such as the mold and mildew stains on wood surfaces and the nails of our beloved pets.