How To Remove Scuff Marks From Walls: 5 Ways

Nothing renews a room like a fresh paint job. And nothing ages one like smudges, smears, and scuff marks all over the walls and baseboards. High-traffic areas around the house naturally get scuffed up during daily life, but you don’t have to throw your hands up and repaint every year. We’ve collected the best methods for removing scuff marks whether you have wallpaper or painted walls. Let’s get started.

Considerations Before Getting Started

Using too much elbow grease can remove paint and make a scuff mark look worse than when you started. Be careful when using anything abrasive, which can strip paint or rough up high-gloss surfaces. You should avoid abrasive cleaning methods altogether with wallpaper. Start with the gentlest methods first when cleaning scuff marks (we’ve listed them here in order of intensity). If all else fails, buy a small can of paint for touching up stubborn stains.

What You Need

• Lint-free, white cleaning cloth
• Bowl full of water
• Dish soap
• Additional options: Distilled white vinegar, baking soda, white toothpaste, Magic Eraser, kneaded eraser

How To Remove Scuff Marks From Walls

Method 1: Use A Damp Cloth

Dampen a lint-free, soft, white cloth. If your paint has a flat finish or you are cleaning wallpaper, you don’t want the cloth to be so wet that it will drip and discolor the wall. Test in a hidden area first to make sure it won’t stain. Lightly rub scuff marks to remove them.

Method 2: Try Soap And Water

If water alone doesn’t work, add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl of water. Soap and water is very safe to use on satin and glossy finishes, but may leave behind residue on a porous, flat paint. Test this cleaning method first if your paint has a flat finish. Dampen a cloth with the soapy water and rub away the scuff marks.

Method 3: Add Vinegar

The mild acidity of vinegar can help dissolve scuff marks on more durable paints. Add distilled white vinegar to your soapy water, making a 50-50 mixture. Dampen your cloth and gently scrub marks away.

Method 4: Make A Paste

Add to your scrubbing power by making a thick paste with baking soda and water. Use a sponge or cloth to buff out scuff marks. Be careful that you don’t rub so hard you remove the paint.

A white, non-gel toothpaste is another mild abrasive that may be effective in removing scuffs.

Method 5: Erase The Scuffs

If other methods fail, a Magic Eraser will make short work of scuff marks. The melamine foam sponge works like a very fine sandpaper, so be aware this can remove paint and rough up a high-gloss finish. Lightly dampen the Magic Eraser and rub marks off of your wall, using very light pressure.

If you want to try a less abrasive method on wallpaper or flat paint, an artist’s kneaded eraser may do the job on light surface scuffs. Press the eraser on the wall to lift dirt from the fibers.

Tips To Prevent Scuff Marks

Try these tips to reduce the number of scuff marks you’re getting around the house:

• Place furniture like chairs and sofas a few inches from walls to avoid accidental dings.
• You can also arrange furniture to redirect people away from walls in high-traffic areas.
• Remove shoes while in the house to avoid scuffing up baseboards and floors.
• For easier cleaning, use satin or semi-gloss finishes rather than flat paint.