Repair a Scratch in Hardwood

Surface scratches can vanish without refinishing — match the color and seal.

Difficulty: Easy Time: 15 min Cost: $10

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Tools

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Soft cloth

Materials

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Stain marker or wax filler stick
Get the closest match — go slightly lighter, you can darken
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Polyurethane wipe-on
For deeper scratches

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Steps

1

Clean the scratch

Wipe with a cloth. Skip wet cleaners — they can swell the wood.
2

Match the color

Test the stain marker in a hidden spot (under a rug edge, inside a closet). Apply along the scratch and immediately wipe with the cloth — only the scratch keeps color.
3

Seal (optional)

For a deeper or more visible scratch, dab a tiny amount of wipe-on poly along the scratch line. Wipe off the excess. Let dry.