Symptoms
- Scratch marks appear under moved furniture
- Dark scuff marks where legs rest
- New marks appear each time furniture is repositioned
Likely causes
- CommonBare wood, metal, or plastic legs contacting the floor directlyAny hard material can scratch a finished floor without a protective pad.
- PossibleDirt or grit trapped under a felt padWorn-out pads with debris underneath can scratch just as much as no pad.
- CommonDragging furniture instead of lifting itSliding furniture across the floor causes far more scratching than lifting and placing.
What to do
- Clean the scratched area of the floor to assess whether it's a surface scuff or a deeper scratch.
- Apply self-adhesive felt pads or rubber leg caps to the bottom of every furniture leg.
- Replace any felt pads that look worn, flattened, or have debris embedded in them.
- For deeper scratches already present, use a wood floor touch-up marker or repair kit matched to your floor's finish.
- Going forward, always lift furniture to move it rather than sliding it across the floor.
- Consider furniture sliders for larger or heavier pieces you move occasionally, like for cleaning.
Tools and parts
- Felt pads or rubber leg caps
- Wood floor touch-up kit (if needed)
Felt furniture leg padsSearch: “self-adhesive felt furniture pads”
Wood floor scratch repair kitSearch: “hardwood floor scratch repair kit”
When to call a pro
For significant floor damage beyond a touch-up kit, a flooring professional can assess whether refinishing that section is needed.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.