There’s something so timeless about wood floors and furniture. Maybe it’s their distinctive grain patterns, naturally warm hues, or decorative versatility. In any case, while wood surfaces are durable and fairly easy to maintain, they’re still prone to occasional scratches, whether from moving furniture or a pet’s sharp claws. Luckily for us, nuts are a…
Go Nuts on Wood Scratches
You can repair minor scratches on wood using the meat of walnuts, pecans, and macadamias — basically any nut that’s rich in natural oils. First, clean the wood surface thoroughly using a microfiber cloth and suitable cleaning spray, or a solution of warm water and a few drops of dish soap.
Once the floor or furniture item is clean, take the nut of your choice and gently rub it over the scratch, working from multiple angles. Let it sit for a few minutes, so the oil from the nut soaks into the scratch, then buff the area with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. This should conceal the scratch and make the wood surface look like new.
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How It Works
What appears to be a magic trick is, in fact, simply nature at work. Rubbing walnuts, pecans, or macadamias on scratches fills the indentations with natural oils from the nuts.
Before you run off to the pantry, though, know that there are a few limitations to this hack. Using nuts to fix wood is best for surface-level scratches and lighter wood finishes. If you’re dealing with a deep scratch, the nut oils alone may not completely fill it, and you may need a specialized wood filler. The same goes for scratches in high-traffic areas of the home. Since those spots get more use, the oils may wear away faster, requiring occasional touch-ups. As for dark wood, the lighter color of the nut oil may not blend as well.
