Quick cleaning tips for busy moms: Fixing surface scratches on wood furniture

June 5, 11:16 AMSeattle Eastside Family ExaminersMichele & Lexie

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A surprising fix for scratches: Crayons!

It was a sad day when I noticed that my youngest child had been using my favorite wooden side table as a teething toy. I saw some discoloration in the wood and as I leaned in to examine it further, I realized that she had been gnawing it like a termite and had caused a good amount of surface damage. A quick survey of other wooden furniture in my home let me know that a) I needed to find a way to fix these scratches, and b) my kiddo might have splinters in her gums. Luckily, there are several easy ways to repair surface scratches!
 

• Many times, wood polish will do the trick. You can even find polish that come in a variety of shades to match the stain of your wood. Choose the one that is the best match and follow the directions of the polish to apply it.
   
• Wax is another easy way to fill in a scratch. You can find wood wax or cabinet wax in just about any hardware store (sidenote: I once made my husband run to Lowe's with me at 9pm on a Saturday night following an inspiring episode of 'Trading Spaces' in which kitchen cabinets were waxed and looked amazing. I decided my cabinets needed to look the same way. My husband was not amused.)
   
• You can use shoe polish for more than just shining those shoes! Apply a small amount (use the color that matches your wood, like brown), and rub it in very well. The scratch practically disappears.
   
• Another easy way to fix that scratch is to use crayons. Yep, right from your kid's bin! Just pick the color that matches your furniture and then rub it into the scratch. Hint: You might not want your kiddo to see you "coloring" the furniture. It may give him or her some ideas.
   
• Brazil nuts, pecans, and walnuts can also be used to fix scratches. The oils of the nuts can be rubbed into the wood with a cloth and smoothed in. You'll have to cut the nuts first to release the oil.

Check out more quick cleaning tips for busy moms!