Scratched Wood Furniture: 4 easy fixes

Scratched wood furniture can be a pain. As antique furniture dealers, we’ve come across hundreds of amazing pieces that needed a touch up. It can seem like a daunting task, but if you’re dealing with blemished home decor, don’t stress. There are tons of ways to go about fixing the problem. Some are orthodox, and others are...more creative. By the end of this article, we think you’ll be prepared to make your dented or scratched piece of furniture look as good as new.

1. Use a Furniture Crayon

A furniture crayon can be used to cover a scratch or shallow dent in scratched wood furniture. You can find them for sale at basically any hardware store, or online on sites like Home Depot. All you have to do is rub over the affected area with the furniture crayon to fill it in.

Don't forget to wipe down your wood furniture afterward!

It may be a good idea to wipe over the area with a paper towel or dry cloth to remove any excess wax. And make sure to use the right color or the area will stick out like a sore thumb! For more on the ins and outs of furniture crayons, you can check out our post here!

2. The Iodine Method (for Dark Wood Furniture)

Iodine can also be a great way to cover furniture scratches, especially for pieces crafted from a darker wood. Iodine can be bought at most major stores, and has a variety of uses. Our favorite is making furniture look great! Just apply Iodine using a cotton swab or Q-tip. Wipe away the excess liquid afterwards. This is an important step because it prevents the chemical from staining the rest of the piece. Note that this method is not ideal for lighter colored furniture, as it will stand out against light colors.

3. Olive Oil and Vinegar

All this method requires is a few household items: olive oil and vinegar. This might be the easiest way to fix scratched wood furniture at home. You’ll want to make a solution of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts olive oil. Mix them together, and then use a cloth or cotton swab to rub over the scratched part of your furniture. Once again, use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe away any excess liquid to prevent stains and smells!

4. The Walnut/Pecan Method

Using a walnut or pecan to repair a furniture scratch might sound nuts, but it works! You’ll want to use the meat of the nut, not the shell. Using the shell will scratch the piece. Gently rub over the scratch with the nut until it fills in. This works because the meat of the nut is softer than the wood. We wouldn’t suggest eating it after, but hey, to each their own. 

Hopefully this guide has been helpful to you in your quest to get those pesky scratches out. For more information on scratched furniture repair and other furniture repair tips, you can check out our guide here! If you have any questions, we’d be happy to help at [email protected].