Tips for Removing Scuff Marks from Walls
It doesn’t matter how careful you and your family tread around your home – scuffs marks will show up sooner or later. When these markings do rear their ugly heads, don’t panic. Most scuff marks and related blemishes are easy enough to clean or conceal. The key to proper removal is tackling the problem quickly and decisively. Let’s explore some useful tips for removing scuffs, scratches, and scrapes from your interior walls.
Top Tips for Removing Scuff Marks from Walls
Be Gentle at First
There are many ways to clean dirty or damaged surfaces inside and outside your home. Your method of choice should be determined by the problem’s severity. Scuff marks might look tough, but they’re usually removed with minimal effort. Knowing this, save the pressure washing and other extreme cleaning solutions for your home’s exterior surfaces. For scuff marks, all you typically need is a gentle cleaning solution, sponge, cloth, and maybe a selection of items found around the house. More abrasive solutions are available as well, but these run the risk of damaging your wall’s paint job. So, it’s best to go easy at first and, if necessary, work your way up to more intense cleaning procedures. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you test the method on a small area first to make sure it won’t do damage.
Soap and Water Can Save the Day
Warm water is the first solution to try when removing scuff marks. The addition of some gentle dish soap can make things even easier. Take a soft sponge or cloth, dampen it with the water-based solution, and gently wipe the targeted area until the scuff mark disappears. If this doesn’t quite do the trick, move on to the next set of tricks.
Household Objects Come in Handy
While soap and water usually work just fine for removing scuff marks, sometimes you need something a little more abrasive. Don’t reach for chemical removers or sandpaper just yet, however. Common objects such as tennis balls, pencil erasers, toothpaste, and baking soda all come in handy for getting rid of those scuffs and scratches. If you decide to use an eraser or tennis ball, make sure you don’t rub them over the scuff mark too aggressively – these materials offer plenty of friction without having to press too hard, and the gentle heat often loosens up scuff marks with ease. As for using baking soda, mix it with water and then apply it the same way you would if you were just using water and soap (one tbsp. baking soda per one cup of warm water, stirred). If all else fails, consider brushing the scuff mark with a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swab lathered lightly with non-gel toothpaste.
Need a Stronger Solution?
Deeper, more stubborn scuff marks might not back down so easily. As mentioned earlier, abrasive solutions can damage the interior house paint currently clinging to your wall. You want to avoid this outcome if possible – at the same time, you might want to touch up this area with a fresh coat of paint anyway. If so, you don’t have to worry as much about removing paint along with the blemish. These more intense scuff mark removal solutions include paint thinner, nail polish remover, and other solvent-based solutions (typically applied in small amounts to cotton swabs and dabbed on the marks in question).
Finishing the Job
Depending on the severity of the scuff mark and your removal methods, eliminating the scuffs may or may not mark the end of your project. If your wall took on some paint damage during the removal process, you’ll want to perform some sanding and interior painting to touch up the surface. It’s imperative that the paint you choose perfectly matches the color and finish of the surrounding wall. If you’re not sure how to select paint color for walls in this way, seek color matching services from painting professionals or at your local paint and hardware store. If you thought ahead, you might still have paint from a previous job stored somewhere for this exact occasion.
Say Goodbye to Scuffs, Scratches, and Scrapes
Scuff marks may be annoying, but they’re usually easy to get rid of with a little time and effort. Of course, if scuffs and scrapes are the least of your home painting concerns, the experts at Nash Painting are here to help. We’ve restored and transformed countless interiors and exteriors for homeowners and business owners throughout Nashville, Franklin, and Brentwood, TN. To learn more about us, our services, and our values, call us at 615-829-6858 today!