Unsightly scuffs, marks, and stains can be common on walls, baseboards, and flooring in even the best-maintained homes. This is because of their high exposure to accidental knocks and scrapes from furniture, pets, and small children; to soiled clothing during entertaining, for example. While it’s impossible to completely prevent the appearance of scuffs on your home’s walls and floors, many useful tips can help remove these scuff marks from your walls. While some methods may leave a light indentation or discoloration behind, they are still easier and less expensive than hiring professional services. Some suggestions for removing scuff marks include using a damp rag, fine abrasive paper, or a commercial scuff remover.

Ways to Remove Scuff Marks from Walls

1. Use a Damp Rag

Dampen a clean rag with water and rub over the wall or floor where the mark is located. In many cases, this is all the cleaning that is necessary.

2. Use Fine Abrasive Paper

Purchase a piece of fine abrasive paper from a home improvement store. Alternatively, you can also use a very fine grit sandpaper or emery board found in a nail care kit. Rub the scuff mark with the abrasive until it has faded. If necessary, work on small areas at a time with gentle pressure.

3. Use toothpaste

Apply a small amount of toothpaste with a soft brush to the areas containing the scuff mark. While it is designed to clean teeth, its abrasive action will dissolve the stain and discoloration on your walls. Rinse thoroughly before applying a fresh coat of paint.

4. Use baking soda and water

Baking soda contains a mild abrasive that can remove scuff marks when combined with water. The process can be messy and should be done in an open space or outdoors.

5. Use a scuff remover

Many scuff removers are available at most home improvement stores, online, and even at some department stores. A variety of brands offer products designed for use on walls, floors, and other surfaces. Scuff removers are highly effective in removing scuff marks and discoloration from walls. However, they may leave a residue behind after use. Before applying fresh coats of paint, thoroughly clean the area with warm water and baking soda.

6. Use a torch

A low-wattage handheld electric burnisher is useful for removing scuff marks from walls and floors. The procedure is relatively simple: turn the burnisher to a low setting and lightly tap over the mark until it disappears entirely. Use caution when using a burnisher as it is hot and will leave a mark on the wall or floor surface.

7. Sometimes only a pencil eraser is needed

For smaller scuffs, a pencil eraser can be used to remove them. Rub it gently over the mark until it is gone. While this technique doesn’t always work, it’s a cheap and easy way to remove minor stains from walls and other surfaces.

Winding Up

There are many methods to remove scuff marks from walls; most are generally quick and easy. For those that have left a permanent mark on the wall or floor, sandpaper can sometimes be required to remove them. However, this may leave a slight indentation or discoloration once the spot is dry. Using a scuff remover or commercial scrubber will also leave behind some trace residue on your wall once it has dried. In the case of a scuff mark left by a pencil eraser, use a damp rag to remove it.