How to Fix Scuffs on a Vinyl Floor

Baby Oil or Mineral Oil for New or Minor Scuff Marks

• 1

  Pour about three drops of baby oil over fresh or minor scuff marks on a vinyl floor. If you don't have baby oil, mineral oil also works. Let the oil sit on the marks for a few minutes.

• 2

  Wipe each oiled area with a damp cloth. Use a nylon scrubbing pad to lift away remaining scuff marks. Do not use abrasive pads such as those made of steel wool because they will scratch the finish on your vinyl flooring.

• 3

  Rinse the areas thoroughly with soapy water to remove the oil.

Non-Alkaline Cleaner for Large, New Scuff Marks

• 4

  Spray large, new scuff marks with a non-alkaline cleaner designed for vinyl flooring.

• 5

  Wait a few minutes while the non-alkaline cleaner sits on the scuff marks. During that time, the cleaner breaks down the marks.

• 6

  Wipe the scuff-marked areas with a damp cloth. Avoid using an abrasive pad such as steel wool, which may remove the vinyl's sheen. Rinse the areas thoroughly with clean water.

White Eraser or Rubber-Soled Shoe for Old, Minor Scuff Marks

• 7

  Rub old, minor scuff marks with either a white eraser or the edge of a shoe that has a white, rubber sole, Keep rubbing each mark until it disappears. Avoid using colored erasers or colored rubber soles because they can stain vinyl.

• 8

  Sweep up the debris from the eraser or rubber-soled shoe immediately. The debris can mark vinyl if not removed.

• 9

  Wipe the area with a damp cloth, and rinse it thoroughly with clean water.

Baking Soda for Older Scuff Marks Over Large Area

• 10

  Mix about 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a small amount of warm water. Add only enough water to make a thick paste.

• 11

  Apply the paste with a cloth to older scuff marks covering a large area of vinyl flooring. Scrub the marks with the paste until the marks are gone.

• 12

  Wipe the area with a damp cloth. Rinse the affected flooring thoroughly with clean water.

Bleach for Stubborn Scuff Marks

• 13

  Mix a solution of three parts bleach to one part water in a bucket. Soak a white towel or white cloth in the solution.

• 14

  Lay the soaked cloth over stubborn scuff marks, and leave it in place for a maximum of one hour. When you remove the cloth, the marks should be gone or significantly faded.

• 15

  Wipe the affected area with a clean cloth, and rinse the vinyl flooring thoroughly with water.

• 16

  Repeat the procedure 24 hours later if the scuff marks were not removed completely.