Make Furniture Scratches Disappear with This Nutty Hack

I’ve mentioned I have a cat, Boudin. What I have not mentioned are his 18 little toes and claws. Trimming Boudin’s nails is a Herculean feat, where my fat tabby contorts his body in ways that defy physics. And so, my wood floor, one of the very reasons I chose my apartment, is subjected to a variety of scratches.

Recently, while complaining to an old coworker about the marks over drinks, he reminded me of an old home repair tip: use a walnut to rub away the scratch.

Yes, a walnut. Here’s how it works: Crack the walnut (or similarly oily nut, like pecan or macadamia nut), then rub the meat of the nut over the scratch. You want to make sure the oil really soaks into the wood, so warm the area with friction from your finger and go over the scratch from different angles. After a couple of minutes, the natural oils in the nuts will seep into the wood, helping to heal the unsightly marks. Wipe down the wood with a soft cloth, and your floor or furniture should look as good as new! (Want to see the fix in action? Check out a video tutorial here.)

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Now, there are some caveats. This trick only works on finished wood and is most successful with lighter scratches. Deep grooves and darker woods will likely need the help of floor polish. Oh, and you want to hold off on using nuts if you have a precious antique; that's better for a professional to look at.

As for me, I’ll still keep trying to trim Boudin’s nails. But if he leaves a mark or two, I’m happy to crack out this hack.

What's your best DIY hack? Share tips and tricks in the comments section below!