Do you really need to gut your entire countertop if you get a small scratch on your stainless steel? Sometimes we just need a few small tips to hold us over between remodels. Our Construction Project Managers dish out their favorite temporary fixes for hiding and repairing these common small scratches.

Stainless Steel Scratches

1. Get Perfect-It Rubbing Compound, Revere Stainless Steel and Copper Cleaner, or even whitening toothpaste
2. Determine the direction of the steel grain and rub the paste into the scratch with a cloth
3. Use a damp cloth to remove the excess paste and dry thoroughly with a new cloth
4. Repeat the paste & buff process if needed

Tip: Keep your stainless steel appliances clean and shiny with a spritz of vinegar!

Photo credit: naturalmommie.com

Porcelain Scratches

1. First, try bleach. Fill the sink with warm water, add 2 capfuls of bleach, and let it sit over night. Oftentimes this will do the trick to remove dull marks and discoloration. But if that doesn’t work…
2. Use Bar Keeper’s Friend or baking soda to create a paste and buff into the scratch in a circular motion
3. Use a damp cloth to remove the excess paste and dry thoroughly with a new cloth
4. Repeat the paste & buff process if needed

Mirror Scratches

1. Toothpaste to the rescue again! Rub whitening toothpaste into the scratch with a cloth
2. If that doesn’t work put a couple of drops of clear nail polish on a cloth and buff out the scratch

Hardwood Flooring Scratches 

1. Clean the affected area with floor cleaner and dry thoroughly before starting
2. Carefully rub steel wool in the direction of the grain over the scratch to gently buff it out
3. Use a wax stick to fill in the scratched area and blend into the nearby wood, allow to set for 15 minutes. If you’re floors have a polyurethane finish, then skip this step completely and use a coat of poly instead.
4. With a soft cloth, use large stroked to buff the wax
5. Clean the area once again with a damp cloth and let dry

Note: For deep gouges, consider using wood filler or hire a contractor to remove and replace the affected panels

Stone Countertop Scratches

1. Clean the affected area with a mild dish cleaner and cloth to see if this takes out the scratch
2. If not, move on to a mildly abrasive sponge and apply pressure in a circular motion with the dish cleaner
3. Rinse with water and allow to dry, repeat if necessary

And if any of these scratches are, in fact, large gouges, then be sure to call your contractor to get a professional repair or appliance replacement right away.