Scuffs are finish abrasion—often gray or white marks from shoes and furniture—rather than deep cuts into the wood. Most clean up without sanding the whole room.
Clean first
Dry-dust, then use a floor cleaner approved for your finish. Many “scuffs” are residue that a microfiber pad removes.
Buff light marks
A white nylon pad or soft cloth with a bit of floor polish can erase shallow scuffs on polyurethane. Test in a corner. Avoid aggressive pads that cut through finish.
Markers and touch-up
If color shows through, a floor repair marker or wax stick matched to the board can hide remaining lines. Wipe excess so dirt does not collect in the repair.
When scuffs mean refinishing
If wear paths show bare wood across a room, plan a screen-and-recoat or full refinish. Spot polish will not rebuild a worn wear layer.
For more repairs like this, start in the Scratches & Surface Fixes hub. If you are working through a related problem next, see Scratched Wood Floor Repair: Restore Your Home’s Natural Glow or Wood Table Scratch: Simple DIY Methods to Restore the Shine.
