How to Repair a Nicked Wood Floor

Sweep the wood floor with a broom and dustpan to remove dirt and dust from the surface.

Fill a bucket with 1/2 gallon of warm water. Add one cap full of wood soap and stir it into the warm water.

Dampen a clean cloth with the soap solution. Wring out the excess. Wash the wood surface at the site of the nick to remove oils and any stains that might impede the durability of the repair.

Moisten a clean cotton cloth with an oil-based wood stain that's one shade lighter than the color of your floor.

Apply the wood stain to the inside of the nick by wiping the dampened cloth over the surface. Wrap the cloth around a cotton swab to help you push wood stain into the nick, if necessary. Use only enough stain to cover the surface of the wood without having it pool inside the nick.

Allow the wood stain to dry for four or more hours.

Fill in the nick and blend the repair into the surrounding surface by brushing shellac over the wood. Apply the shellac in one light coat, allowing excess shellac to fill in the nick. Let the shellac dry overnight before using the floor.