---
title: "Quick Tip: Fix Wood Scratches with This Favorite Snack"
description: "One out-of-the-shell nut is all it takes to fill in and fix light scratches on wooden furniture or hardwood floors. Read on for the trick!"
date: "2015-07-27"
modified: "2020-08-27"
authors:
  - name: "Kathleen Corlett"
    job_title: "Editor in Chief"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/kathleen-corlett.md"
url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-fix-scratches-on-wood/"
categories:
  - "DIY"
  - "Furniture & Design"
  - "Repair & Maintenance"
---

# Quick Tip: Fix Wood Scratches with This Favorite Snack

![How To Fix Scratches On Wood - Walnuts](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Walnuts_Fix_Wood_Scratches.jpg>)
*How To Fix Scratches On Wood - Walnuts Photo: fotosearch.com*

An unsightly scratch in your new hardwood floors—or worse, the expensive mahogany table you splurged on in a recent dining room redesign—can be enough to turn your hair gray. But before you start to stress over normal wear and tear, rest assured that there *is* an easy and inexpensive trick that can minimize slight damage to your favorite wood surfaces. Moreover, that fix might just be hiding out in your pantry, camouflaged as a favorite afternoon snack.

![How To Fix Scratches On Wood - Walnuts](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Fix-Scuffed-Surfaces-with-a-Walnut.jpg>)
*Photo: fotosearch.com*

### STEP 1

Crack open the shell of a walnut and dig out the meaty portion—one nut should be enough for one scratch, so no need to sacrifice an entire handful.

### STEP 2

Run the nut back and forth over the scratch a few times in the same direction as the wood grain, then rub your finger over the scratch to warm the wood even further.

### STEP 3

Let the scratch sit for about five minutes, and finish by buffing it with a soft cloth. The oils from the nut will form a layer over the scratch, filling it in and darkening it so that your furniture will look as good as new.

The best part of this simple solution? You get to reward yourself for a job well done with a tasty treat of leftover walnuts.

## Author
As the editor-in-chief at BobVila.com, Kathleen Corlett is as passionate about crafting quality how-to guides for household projects as she is cleaning, organizing, and building DIY solutions for her own home in New York. She has worked on the BobVila.com team for 10 years; before that, Kathleen previously contributed to Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, and Cleveland magazines.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleencorlett>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/katcorlett>)