How to Remove Scratches from Vinyl Flooring? [Step-by-Step Guide]

Published on:
Last Update:
scratched vinyl flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring is a cost-effective, fashionable and attractive floor choice to have in your home or office. However, just like any other engineered flooring, it gets scratched from daily wear and tear. But, how do you get rid of these scratches?

In short:

You can get rid of unsightly scratches marks and gouges off your vinyl flooring with Wearmax scratch concealer or a Scratch Mark Repair Kit. First, deep clean the floor using liquid dishwashing soap and warm water to remove any sticky marks. Then, lightly sand the vinyl surface, vacuum clean to get rid of dust, and apply the scratch concealer. For deep scratches, wax the floor. Finish by wiping any excess and allow it to completely dry.

Does vinyl plank flooring scratch easily?

No. Vinyl plank flooring doesn’t scratch easily as it’s relatively scratch-resistant. Just like laminate flooring, vinyl flooring is made to be low-maintenance compared to solid wood flooring. It can generally withstand wear even from pet claws and furniture drags. However, that doesn’t mean that vinyl plank floors are entirely scratch-resistant.

While it won’t scratch easily, vinyl flooring is still susceptible to tear under heavy pressure. This is because vinyl planks are made of plastic material all the way through. It’s slightly less durable compared to laminate flooring that features both hardwood and plastic construction.

As such, you’ll want to avoid dragging heavier pieces of furniture across your vinyl floor as this will leave behind unsightly dents and scratches. If you’re looking for vinyl flooring that’s more resistant to scratches, we recommend going for luxury vinyl planks (LVP).

While this type of high-end vinyl flooring costs more, it’s less susceptible to pressure and movement from above. It’s even harder to scratch compared to regular vinyl plank flooring.

How to remove scratches from vinyl flooring

The proper method for removing scratches from vinyl flooring depends on whether the scratches are light or deep.

How do I remove light/fine scratches from vinyl flooring?

For fine scratches caused by pet claws, shoes, and dropped items such as glass. The following procedure should help to fix and get rid of fine-light scratches:

  1. First off, prep the floor by cleaning it either with a broom, a vacuum cleaner, or a wet mop. This will help you to see the marks on the vinyl floor clearly and determine how deep the scratches are.
  2. After determining that they’re mild scratches, get rubber or a tennis ball and use it to rub over the scratch lines on your vinyl flooring.
  3. If you still have superficial scratches present on the floor after this initial treatment, follow up by wiping on them with an alcohol-drenched piece of cloth.

How do I remove deep scuffs, gouges and scratches from vinyl flooring?

The procedure detailed above won’t work for deeper scratches. In these cases, you’ll need a PU cleaner, as elaborated below:

  1. To start, lightly sand the scratched floor area using fine-grit sandpaper. This helps to level up the surface by getting rid of any protruding edges and particles.
  2. Finish off the surface preparation by dusting the surface with a piece of cotton clothing.
  3. Next, take out your PU cleaner and shake it for about 20 seconds before spraying.
  4. While holding the PU cleaner about 30cm from your vinyl surface, spray directly over the scratch lines. Let the area dry for no less than five minutes before spraying again.
  5. If scratch marks are still visible after the first two applications, a third application is recommended.
  6. Once done, let the scratch-free vinyl surface dry up for up to six hours before anyone can walk on it.

Here a video guide on how to fix scratch marks on LVP flooring

Scratch removal kit Scartchfix for LVT floors incl. pen and spray

How do I keep my vinyl floor from scratching?

Scratches ruin the aesthetic appeal of vinyl floors and eat into your valuable time and financial resources as you have to fix them. That’s why it’s important to undertake the necessary measures to ensure that scratches don’t occur in the first place.

For instance, I generally advise people to install floor protectors beneath furniture legs. This will prevent the vinyl flooring from developing scratches and scuff marks due to furniture movement or pressure from the weight of the furniture.

Another way to prevent scratches is by installing a mat on entryways to rooms with vinyl flooring. This is because as one walks into the house from outside, they bring in dust particles which are abrasive and can easily cause light scratches on vinyl planks. With a vinyl-backed mat- however- you can prevent dust particles from reaching your vinyl floor in the first place.

My last tip to keep vinyl flooring from developing scratches is simply by cleaning it regularly. Remember, entryway mats only minimize the transfer of dust particles onto your vinyl surface, but won’t exactly capture all the dirt. Soon enough, you’re bound to have a dust buildup, leading to scratches on your vinyl floor. You can prevent such dirt buildup through regular cleaning – including sweeping and mopping.

With the info here, you’ll never be stuck with a scratched vinyl floor again.

Photo of author

AUTHOR

Joe McGuinty
I’ve been working with floors for over 12 years. I started as a flooring contractor, primarily in materials selection. Then, I switched careers into accounting, so my wife and I began buying, renovating, and re-selling homes on the side. You’d be surprised how much value you can add to a home simply by adding new floors.

Leave a Comment