How to Buff Furniture Scratches

Over time, even the toughest wood finishes, such as polyurethane, will start to show minor scratches as a result of regular wear and tear. These little scratches will dull the finish, giving your wood furniture a drab, unattractive appearance. As long as the scratches are only superficial and don't extend beyond the protective topcoat, you will be able to buff them out using common household items. If the scratches penetrate the protective topcoat and affect the wood, this method will not be effective and you will need to completely refinish the piece.

Commercial wood cleaner
Clean, lint-free cloth
Furniture polish
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Microfiber polishing cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Clean off the surface of the wood with a commercial wood cleaner and a soft, lint-free cloth. You must remove dirt, dust and other potentially abrasive materials before buffing the furniture. Otherwise, you risk creating further scratches.
- 2
  Apply a small amount of wood furniture polish containing either orange oil or lemon oil to the furniture. Alternatively, mix equal amounts of lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl. Whisk the two ingredients until they are well-incorporated.
- 3
  Buff the polish or olive oil mixture into the wood with a microfiber polishing cloth. Blend the polish into the wood using small, circular motions. Keep buffing until the scratches disappear and the wood returns to its original luster.

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