Scuff Mark Remover

A lived-in home inevitably has a few scuff marks here and there. Shoe scuff marks on floors are most common. However, the marks can be left behind from a variety of other items, and they can be found on walls, trim and even cabinets. Upon discovering a scuff mark, you may be inclined to grab your favorite household cleaning product and a wet cloth. Scrubbing some types of scuff marks in this fashion may be effective, but you may be dismayed to see that your efforts are ineffective or that they have damaged the surfaces in some cases. What can you do to remove scuff marks in your home?

• Removing Scuff Marks from Walls and Trim

Scuff marks should be cleaned off of walls as soon as possible in order to prevent them from setting in. You understandably do not want to damage your paint job, so you should take the least abrasive approach first. If the scuff remains after you have scrubbed it with a clean cloth and your favorite cleaning product, you should pull out a melamine sponge. After wetting the sponge, use a variety of motions to generate results. This includes rubbing up and down, right to left and in small circles.

If these methods are not effective, you can attempt to clear away the scuff using liquid dish soap and a clean cloth. You can either mix soap and water in a bowl or apply the soap directly to the scuff mark. Use a clean cloth to rub the stain away. An alternative to this solution is to scrub the scuff using a sponge and a paste made out of water and baking soda.

If you have exhausted these methods without fully removing the mark, it may be time to get out the touch-up paint. Keep in mind that you may need to apply a few coats if you are using a light color to conceal a dark scuff mark.

• Cleaning Scuffs Off of Floors

There are a few tried-and-true cleaning methods that can easily remove scuffs off of hard floor surfaces. Whether you are cleaning wood, laminate or tile, you can use your choice of unexpected supplies. Depending on which items are easily accessible to you, the options are a tennis shoe with a light-colored sole, a tennis ball or a pink pencil eraser.

To use the shoe, simply place the sole against the scuff. With light pressure, twist the sole over the mark until it is gone. If you choose to remove the mark with a tennis ball, you will need a clean ball, a sharp knife and a broom or mop handle. Using the knife, cut an X-shaped hole in the tennis ball. Slide the end of your handle into the tennis ball, and scrub the floor with your new cleaning tool. If you only have a small mark to remove or you do not want to tear up your tennis ball, you can simply scrub the ball over the scuff mark by hand.

If you prefer to use the eraser method, choose a light-colored eraser. Get the floor damp using a wet cloth. Then, rub the eraser over the mark. Use the clean cloth to wipe up all of the eraser remnants.

While these methods could be effective for all types of hard floors, there are a few other approaches that you could try if you are cleaning tile or laminate flooring. One option is to scrub the mark using a clean cloth and a thick paste of water and baking soda. Wipe away any residue with a clean cloth after the mark is gone.

For laminate floors only, nail polish remover could be used. However, you should consult with the flooring manufacturer before attempting this method. After you determine that acetone is safe to use on your floor, dampen a cotton ball with the acetone. Wipe away the mark using the cotton ball. For large scuff marks, you may need to use several cotton balls. Remember to quickly clean the floor with a wet cloth when you are done working with the acetone.

• Keeping Your Home Clean the Easy Way

Scuff marks can make your home look filthy even after you have cleaned it. This is only one of many issues that your routine housekeeping tasks may not tackle. Between the time and energy required to clean your home and the many extra steps required to tackle more unusual messes and blemishes, keeping your home as clean as you want it to be is a challenge. Are you searching for a better way to enjoy a pristine home? The Cleanzen Providers are happy to start working in your home. Contact us today to learn more about our services.