Laminate is chosen for being practical and affordable, yet even a high wear-class floor picks up scratches over time. Most are caused by shoe soles, chair legs and fine grit carried in from the street, especially in winter along with road salt.
Light, pale marks that your fingernail does not catch on can be made almost invisible at home. Deeper damage needs a wax repair pencil or filler paste matched to the floor colour.
What you will need
- WD-40 Smart Straw with its thin straw, or WD-40 Multi-Use
- microfibre or cotton cloths
- a wax pencil or touch-up marker matching the laminate
- laminate repair paste and a plastic scraper
- a vacuum cleaner and a slightly damp mop
Important: Treat only a small area at a time and never leave excess product on the floor, as a wet surface is slippery. Check the result first on a hidden spot, for example under the sofa.
Step 1
Check how deep the scratch is
Run a fingernail across the mark. If it does not catch, only the top protective layer is affected and the scratch can be disguised. If your nail snags or the pale core board shows through, move on to the wax and paste steps.
Step 2
Clean the area
Vacuum the floor, wipe the spot with a slightly damp mop and let it dry. Grit and dirt left in the groove will only widen it as you work.
Step 3
Apply the product to fine scratches
Spray WD-40 Smart Straw through the thin straw precisely along the scratch. The straw lets you reach even the finest marks without overspray on neighbouring boards. Where there are many scratches in one area, regular WD-40 Multi-Use sprayed onto a cloth also works.
Step 4
Wait and buff
Leave the product for about 30 seconds so it fills the groove. Then buff the spot with a dry microfibre cloth in circular motions until the sheen matches the rest of the floor. Make sure all excess is removed.
Step 5
Fill deep damage
Fill deep scratches with a wax pencil or repair paste in the laminate colour. Work the filler into the groove, scrape it flush with a plastic scraper and buff. On a wood-effect floor you can redraw the grain with a touch-up marker.
Tip: Fit felt pads to chair legs and put a mat by the front door: in winter, grit and salt on shoes are what scratch laminate the most.
What next
Remove grit from the floor regularly and check furniture pads every few months. Treat fresh light scratches straight away so they do not build up, and the floor will look new for longer.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».