A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

Textiles

Remove Stains From Heel Marks

Hard Surface Floors

Resilient

  1. Use an all-purpose spray cleaner. Follow directions.
  2. If marks remain, use superfine (#0000) steel wool dipped in a liquid wax. Rub gently in a circular motion. Wipe with a damp cloth, dry with a clean cloth, and apply a coat of floor wax or polish.
  3. Use a commercial non-toxic dry-chemical cleaning bar. These may be purchased from a hardware store, commercial cleaning supply house, or flooring dealer.

CAUTIONS:

  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
  • Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of chiIdren.

Wood (Oiled, Polyurethaned, Stained, Varnished, Waxed)

  1. Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the heel marks. Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with clear water.
  2. For stubborn marks, use superfine (#0000) steel wool dipped in a liquid wax. Rub gently in a circular motion. Polish or wax as soon as possible to re-seal the exposed wood.

CAUTIONS:

  • Steel wool can remove a light portion of the wood finish, so rub gently.
  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
  • Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of children.
  • When using caustic, toxic, aromatic or flammable cleaning solutions, be certain to provide for adequate ventilation.

Wood (Painted)

  1. Light heel marks can sometimes be removed by wiping a painted surfaces with a cloth dipped in warm, sudsy water.
  2. Crayerase, a non-toxic, dry-chemical cleaning bar, can be used to remove the marks. If the Crayerase leaves a shiny mark, sponge the shiny spot with a cloth moistened with hot water.

Furniture

Wood (Exterior, Interior – Painted)

Sometimes heel marks are left on the legs of painted furniture. Wipe scuff marks with warm soapy water. Be sure to dry surface thoroughly with a dry cloth. If marks remain, apply liquid wax with superfine (#0000) steel wool and rub in the direction of the wood grain.

Exterior Surfaces

Porches, Decks, Patios: Wood (Painted)

  1. Light heel marks can sometimes be removed from painted surfaces by wiping the scuff marks with a cloth dipped in warm, sudsy water.
  2. Crayerase, a non-toxic, dry-chemical cleaning bar, can be used to remove the marks. If the Crayerase leaves a shiny mark, sponge the shiny spot with a cloth moistened with hot water.

Wood (Stained)

Put appliance wax on a soft cloth and wipe until the stain is removed. Then remove excess wax with a clean cloth.