Laminate Floor Scratch Repair: 8 Methods (with Videos)

Laminate flooring is manufactured to be durable and long lasting. The tough plastic top layer is designed to handle daily wear and tear, but unfortunately, it can easily scratch. Knowing how to remove scratches from your laminate flooring can help you keep your floors looking their best.

Unlike hardwood floors, laminate flooring can't be sanded and refinished. So scratches and scrapes need to be filled-in with waxes and putties. And, if you're lucky enough to have minor scratches, you may be able to simply cover it with a specially designed stain pen. This article will give you a variety of different methods to help you repair your laminate floor scratches.

Laminate Floor Scratch Repair

Fortunately, there's a number of different methods to repair laminate floor scratches and scrapes. Some are extremely easy and others take more time and effort. The method you choose will largely be determined by the damage to your floor as well as your skill and comfort level.

Keep in mind that your goal to repairing laminate floor scratches is to cover the damage so it blends with the rest of the floor. You will not be able to remove the scratch, in other words, if you inspect the area you will still be able to see it. The scratch just won't be as noticeable.

Compound Filler

An easy and effective laminate floor scratch repair is to use a compound filler. This method works nicely if you have simple scratch. The supplies are inexpensive and great to have on hand for future repairs. 

Here's what to do:

• Use a paper towel to wipe the area of the scratch on the laminate floor
• Apply the compound filler and gently work it into the scratch
• Run a plastic putty knife over the scratch, gently push down while scraping across. Be sure to use a plastic putty knife and not a metal one, as the metal could scratch your laminate floor 
• Use a paper towel to wipe off the excess compound filler from your floor

Watch the Video

Stain Marker

Using a stain marker can be an effective way to cover scuff type scratches. This method can be hit and miss when it comes to deeper scratches, but if it works for your laminate floor damage, it is arguably the easiest way to go.

Here's what to do:

• Wipe down the scratched area with a paper towel
• Find a stain marker that matches the color of your floor and cover the scratch
• Using a paper towel, remove the excess stain from the scratched area
• Repeat if necessary

Watch the Video

Wax Pencil

If you have a deeper scratch, or the stain marker didn't quite conceal the scratch to your standards, you can try using a wax pencil. The wax will fill the damaged area and conceal the laminate floor scratch.

Here's how to use a wax pencil to repair your laminate floor:

• Wipe the area of the scratch with a paper towel
• Find a wax pencil that matches the color of your floor 
• Work the wax into the damaged area
• Wipe off the excess with a towel

Watch the Video

Repair Kit

You may be able to purchase a repair kit directly from the manufacturer that will match your floors, or you can purchase a more generalized kit, such as the one from Fortivo which will give you all the elements you need to make repairs and match your floor's color.

Using a repair kit does require more work, however, they can also handle more significant damage. In most cases, repair kits are great for scratches, dents, chips, cracks, etc.

Although the steps may vary slightly based on the damage you are repairing, here's what you do:

• Clean the area
• Use the wood putty if necessary to fill the damaged area
• Match the color of your floor on the chart, then mix the colors in the mixing container
• Apply the color to your floor 
• Allow to dry

Watch the Video

Burn-in Kit

Another type of laminate floor repair kit is the burn-in kit. These kits are a favorite among many users as they allow you to fill chips, scrapes, and other damaged spots with hot wax, and are well-suited for floors with deeper damage.

Many burn-in kits, such as the one from Homyl come with everything you need, including a wide variety of wax colors so you can closely color match your floor.

Here's what to do:

• Clean the damaged area and select the wax (or waxes) that most closely match your floor's color
• Use the soldering iron to melt some wax from your selected wax stick
• Fill the damaged area with the melted wax
• Once the wax has dried, use the scratch block to remove the excess wax
• Add a second colored wax for wood grain detail if needed
• Again, once the wax dries, use the scratch block
• Apply varnish if your kit came with a varnish pen

Watch the Video

Polish / Restorer 

Another option to remove laminate floor scratches is to use a floor restorer such as the one from Rejuvenate, or our favorite, from Bona. These products are easy to use, fill in micro-scratches, and even adds a layer of protection to your floor.

Although, it should be noted that over use can cause your floor to become sticky, so it's important to always use per the manufacturers recommendations.

Home Remedies to Repair Laminate Floor Scratches

If you're looking to fix a laminate floor scratch, but don't want to use one of the store bought products, there's also a few home remedies you can try. 

Melted Crayon

If you've got young children, you probably have access to crayons, which makes this a go-to option to try. The melted crayon method is similar to using a store-bought burner kit, only much cheaper!

• Use a paper towel and wipe down the damaged area of your laminate floor
• Simply select a crayon that closely matches your floor (it's usually best to go slightly darker)
• Using a knife, shave (or cut) a small amount of the crayon
• Place the shaved crayon in a microwave safe bowl, and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds or until it has melted (keep a close eye on it while it's in the microwave)
• Carefully drip a few drops of the melted crayon into the scratch, then use a clean cloth to rub it in
• Wipe off the excess with a plastic putty knife

Although, we recommend using a microwave to melt the crayon, you could also drip the wax directly into the scratch using a lighter or match.

Toothpaste and WD40

This one might surprise you, but if your laminate floor has minor scratches or scuff marks you can remove them with toothpaste and WD40. There's a good chance you have both at home!

Although, it is important to note that this method is only effective with minor damage, not deep scratches.

Here's what to do:

• Wipe the damaged area with a paper towel
• Dab a small amount of toothpaste with WD40 on the scratched area using a paper towel
• Once you are satisfied with your results, clean the area with water and vinegar

Tips for Preventing and Repairing Laminate Floor Scratches

Preventing scratches to your laminate floors is always the best way to keep your floors looking sharp. But let's face it, even with the most careful habits, scratches happen.

Here are a few tips to help you prevent scratches and damage, and how to prepare for repairing damage after it happens

Protecting Your Laminate Floors

• Place protective pads on your furniture legs
• Use a rug or mat in high traffic areas
• Clean your laminate floors daily. There's plenty of inexpensive floor care kits that make taking care of your floors a quick and easy task. This kit by Bona includes everything you need for daily and deep cleaning 
• Add a protective layer periodically to your laminate floor. Be sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations to prevent build-up. When it comes to protective layers, you can get too much of a good thing and need to strip your floor

Repairing Laminate Floors

• Small Scratches: Using a wax pencil, marker, or crayon will often cover small scratches so that they are unnoticeable
• Large Scratches: Compound filler or putty are better suited for larger damage

• If your scratch is in a very noticeable area, it's a good idea to find a corner or other area where you can test to see if the color in the repair kit is a good match for your floor
• Always clean the damaged area before filling the scratch. You want to make sure the area is clean of dust and dirt
• Don't be afraid to add several layers of the repair (wax pencil, marker, crayon, filler, etc.). After only one application the scratch may still be visible. Although, keep in mind, your main goal is to make it less noticeable so that it blends in with your floor
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions
• It's a best practice to use a plastic putty knife to remove any excess wax. Using a metal putty knife may cause scratches to your laminate floor
• If you apply varnish to the filled-in area, feather the edges. This will help it blend with the rest of the floor. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation when working with varnish
• In worst a case scenario where the scratch is too deep to be filled, you should be able to replace a single board