How To Fix Dog Scratches On Hardwood Floors?

Pets are adorned in houses but if you have hardwood floors in our house, you might need to be a bit careful.

Having dogs in your house can be a very lovely experience but dogs can scratch your hardwood floor extensively.

If this has already happened to you, you shall find a lot of useful information which you can follow to fix dog scratches on hardwood floors.

Besides, another important feature is that you won’t have to sand the floors any further for this.

The easiest way to fix dog scratches is to stain and seal the hardwood floors. This technique has been used for decades to fix and repair damaged hardwood floors because it surely works wonders. Staining and sealing can make the floors lively again and restore their shine and appearance while making the dog scratches less visible every day.

But worry not, as there are some other easier methods to which you can adapt to reduce the effect of dog scratching on your hardwood floors.

Make sure to read till the end to get to know these easy methods.

How To Fix Dog Scratches On Hardwood Floors?

Polishing the wooden surface with a suitable wood polish is an effective way to ensure that the scratches are less prominent.

Moreover, with proper care and timely maintenance, the wood can also heal itself from the dog scratches it has suffered from.

Keep reading if you want to get to know the detailed procedure of how you can fix your hardwood floors and make them look as good as new again.

Cleaning The Floors Before Fixing Scratches

Cleaning the hardwood floors is necessary before any procedure. Besides, cleaning the floors can also help with scratches caused by dogs and other pets.

The reason is that a buildup layer on the surface can give an appearance of extensive scratching, even if there isn’t as much.

Moreover, cleaning the floors can also remove minor scuff marks that might appear as scratches from your dog’s paw but not scratches.

Hence, cleaning the floors can restore the lost shine and the original appearance of the hardwood floors, even if your dog extensively damages them.

Let us elaborate if you don’t know the right way to clean the floors.

Remove The Dry Dust

Removing dust and dirt from the floors is a primary process in cleaning the floors. Dry dust is easy to remove and can be removed using a mop or a vacuum.

Moreover, there can be remnants on the floor too, which might cause disturbances in repairing your scratched wooden floors.

These dust particles and remnants are not stuck on the surface so they can be swept away with a vacuum and mop.

You don’t want these to get trapped on the surface; hence, it is only wise to remove them immediately.

You can’t wet mop the floor right away because if the floor is too dirty, you may create a puddle of mud and water or move dirt around.

If your floors have scratches caused by other things but not pets, here’s a whole comprehensive article on fixing scratches on hardwood floors. Do give it a quick look.

Check For A Buildup Layer

Although it is unnecessary, there can be a buildup layer of dirt and dust on the hardwood floors.

An easy way to check for this is to see any visible accumulation of dirt or grime on the surface.

If you can’t see the surface clearly or the wood has darkened in areas, there are chances that there is a buildup layer on the surface.

An easy way to remove the cloudy layer is to use a wood surface cleaner which can soften the layer and make it easy to scrape off the surface.

Wetting the surface and the layer would soften it and make it easier for you when you proceed toward the next few steps.

You can only return them to their original form if you use an effective cleaning solution with effective cleaning abilities strong enough to clean the floors and combat all the impurities crusted on the top.

Using Polish On The Hardwood Floors

A suitable wood polish can repair the hardwood floors and free them of the worst-looking scratches on the surface.

The polish can work its way to the surface of the wood and make the luster rich again so that the grain and the fibers readjust. As a result, the scratch becomes less and less visible over time.

Polishing can also restore moisture and color of the hardwood floors.

Besides, if your floors have become dull as your dogs constantly induce traffic on them, you can get the shine back using a polish and giving the floors a good buffing session afterward.

Wood polishes are the ultimate way to fill up and hide scratches on the floor without any extensive steps that you might have to take.

They are among the best methods of keeping your wooden floors in the healthiest condition. Here are some noticeable benefits of using wood polishes to fix scratches on hardwood floors.

Using the wood polish is very easy; all you need to do is apply the polish to the surface in the recommended dosage and then rub it on until the wood absorbs it.

Then, use a lint-free cloth to rub the floors and give them a good buff so the floor starts shining.

Staining The Wooden Surface

Wood stains can protect the surface of the wood from the inside and are the best way to fix your hardwood floors that have suffered from dog scratches over time.

Stains are easy to apply and have a quick drying time of almost 6-12 hours, in which you will start to see the results and the fruit of your effort will start to bear.

Choosing the right type of stain according to your wood is very important, but it should not be overemphasized and made into a big problem.

While there are many types of stains in the market, it does not matter which one you choose; all you need to do is check if it gives your wood the desired level of protection.

You can also get clear stains which are non-colored so that the original color of the wood is not affected in appearance.

• It can give your hardwood floors a lighter or darker color.
• It can hide minor dents and scratches to make the surface appear spotless and smooth.
• Stains lock in moisture in the wood’s surface to keep it moist and healthy.
• Using a stain on your wooden floors can protect the wooden surface from the inside.

Moreover, wood stains also keep the wood hydrated and prevent it from drying up, which decreases the chances of further scratching.

Depending upon the product, you might need a few coats of stain on your hardwood floors, but the scratches will be filled up completely after the process.

Another interesting feature of wood stains is that they can be used on finished or unfinished surfaces.

They can fill up the scratches on the wood’s surface and the varnish layer to give the floors a spotless look.

Seal The Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors which dogs extensively scratch can be fixed using a suitable sealant to seal the floors. The sealant can fill up the previous scratching and prevent further scratches on the wooden floors.

The sealant will lock the stain under its layer and keep it stable on the wood’ surface while preventing it from evaporating or getting worn out.

As we know, a moist surface can’t be scratched easily due to its lubrication. This can also fill up the old scratches over time.

Besides, this will also promote the luscious appearance of hardwood floors and allow them to be retained for longer.

Sealing your hardwood floors after they have received the right treatment is important.

If you are looking forward to pursuing this option alone or with others mentioned before, you must know that there are various materials that you can seal your hardwood floors with.

Sealants must be applied on clean and dry floors, and you can also seal a previously finished or stained floor.

Apply your preferred product according to the instructions given by the manufacturer and let the sealant dry and harden.

The main types of sealants are water and oil-based. Below is a comprehensive introduction of both to better understand the difference and choose the best one.

Water-Based Sealants

If you are looking for an easier solution to apply a sealant on your hardwood floors, you must go for water-based sealants.

They are much thinner in viscosity and can be applied using a brush. Another important fact is that they do not emit any VOCs and have a low drying time.

Moreover, they are faster to apply; however, you have to make sure to adopt the right way of sealing with the brush to prevent any lap marks from becoming permanent.

Oil-Based Sealants

Oil-based sealants are renowned for their quality of adding color to the appearance of your hardwood floors.

Oil sealants are thicker and take much time to dry. However, they do not require too many coats, as 1 or 2 would be enough.

But, they emit VOCs while drying, making it impossible to stay in the same room for a few days.

Hardwood floors restored or reclaimed are also covered with this sealant because of their rejuvenating abilities and desirable appearance.

Restored wooden floors are often worn out; water-based sealants can make them appear even trite.

Oil-based sealants are effective for harder jobs requiring more staining power, color, and the ability to comprehensively fill in scratches and dents to give the floors a unified look.

Final Words

Hardwood floors are very easily scratched if they are not finished. If you have pets in the house, especially dogs, it is recommended that you get your floors sealed or finished as soon as possible.

This will give the floors a protective layer and prevent them from getting scratched in future.

However, if you have already faced the problem of dog scratches on your floors, and don’t know how to fix them, you must consult the methods mentioned above.

By following these steps, you can get your hardwood floors rejuvenated easily.