Help! Damaged wood floors with magic eraser

7 years ago

I used a Mr. Clean magic eraser all over my hardwood floor and the finish is gone -- does anyone know how I can fix this? It looks terrible :(

Featured Answer

charleee

7 years ago

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is great for things like bathtubs but not for wood floors! It's probably removed the finish completely. You may have to refinish them, or at least lightly sand and then re-clear coat them. I would suggest calling a floor company in your area and have them come out and give you a professional opinion.

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Comments (13)

PRO
Rockin' Fine Finish
7 years ago
what type of finish was on there ?
PRO
Rockin' Fine Finish
7 years ago
could you post a picture
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PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
7 years ago
charleee is right, call a local wood floor finisher. Ask them if the floor can be screened and only a top coat of poly applied instead of totally sanded down and refinished. Screening is basically manually sanding the top layers of finish off a floor so that new poly can be applied. It generally does not get down to the actual stain layer of the floor.
aes107 thanked Brickwood Builders, Inc.
PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
7 years ago
I'm with Deborah. The "magic" eraser is a product that is refined mini brillo pad = bad for anything with a finish. Basically you have "sanded" down tiny areas of finish. So the easiest thing to do is "finish the job" and have it screened. A screening (light sanding) and then refinishing is going to be your way out of this. In the flooring biz we call this a "buff and coat". It happens all the time. It is for people who want to pep up their wood floors without having to completely sand off the top layer of wood and start again. Buff and coats are very common. The work BEST with site-finished floors but can be done with "factory finishes" that come that way out of the box.

Hopefully this is not a "factory finish". If it is, you may want to contact the producer to find out what type of finish (polyurethane, urethane, acrylic, water based, aluminum oxide, ceramic, etc) and what line of product they would recommend. This may have to do with the warranty...but most likely it will have to do with which product "grabs" the finish the best.

Example: my cork floors are finished with water based polyurethane. In "theory" any water based poly should do it. Wrong. My floors are considered "slick" when it comes to other people's products. I very few options with finish...but I do have options. It is well worth a phone call to the maker of your floors. They will help guide you to the best solution for what ails your floor.
bellesmom14
6 years ago
I did the same stupid thing. I haven't found a fix, but old English has helped!
brdnrd
5 years ago
Don't worry. This may turn out to be a good thing in the long run. Your refinished floors will look fabulous!
ttjl04
11 months ago
Hello, I know this is old but I did the same thing in a small but very noticeable area of my home. We just had our floors completely redone two months ago. To say I’m distraught and in panic about this would be an understatement! im having the same company that previously did our floors come and try a touch up but they are saying it might not help and no guarantees. I’m so worried. Anyone successfully have a touch up repair done and it worked?
jlhill1111
last month
I ruined my credenza with that stupid eraser.

😞 help!
jlhill1111
last month
PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
last month
Find a local furniture refinisher. I don't think there is any quick fix for that.
Ben Kramer
last month
Ttj were they able to fix the issue?
Ben Kramer
last month
Having the same issue as everyone here. Noticed a scratch on my hardwood floors. Didn’t read up that these erasers can damage hardwood. I used it on a large scratch and now I have white scuff marks, potentially removed the poly. Any additional advice would be helpful.