Say Goodbye To Scuff Marks On Your Floors With One Genius Tennis Ball Hack

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Keeping your floors looking like new means getting rid of everyday scuff marks that seem to appear just when you think your floor is flawless. Everything from rubber shoes and high heels to furniture and chair wheels can create marks. Whether you have vinyl, hardwood, or laminate flooring, these unsightly blemishes can make your floors seem unkempt and take away from their luster. 

However, there is one surprising hack you can use to remove these smudges: a tennis ball. If you've tried every floor cleaning hack or commercial cleaner but still cannot conquer those frequent scuff marks without straining your back or hurting your knees, look no further. Just attach a tennis ball to a pole, such as a mop or broom handle, and rub it across the scuff mark for easy removal. How and why does this work? Tennis balls are made of rubber, but they have a felt cover which is well-suited for gripping tennis rackets. 

The abrasiveness of the felt, combined with the friction created when running it over scuff marks, helps to successfully lift them out. Having the tennis ball on a broom handle makes it easier for you to do it without the use of knee pads. This hack is simple, it's affordable, and best of all, everyday people attest to its effectiveness online. You can buy a three-pack of tennis balls online for around $4, like this Wilson set. 

Removing scuff marks with a tennis ball is one of the many simple cleaning hacks you can use to keep your floors looking like new. However, it helps if the floor is clean before you try this method. Dusty or dirty floors can reduce the friction needed to buff away the mark. Instead, the felt from the ball may only pick up the dirt. You also do not want to grind dirt deeper into your floors, so be sure to sweep your floor (or vacuum, if appropriate) before getting started.

For the next step, you will need to grab a knife or box cutter and cut a small X into the tennis ball for the mop or broom handle to fit through. Then, secure the tennis ball on the top. If you don't want to attach a tennis ball to your regular mop or broom, visit Dollar Tree to purchase a broom handle for $1.50. Go over the scuff mark with the ball in a back-and-forth motion until it disappears. Be sure to use a gentle touch with this scuff mark removal method as applying too much pressure may damage delicate surfaces, such as hardwood or luxury flooring. 

If you have multiple scuff marks, work in small sections, about a few feet at a time, before moving on to the next area. You might want to try this hack first in a small, unnoticeable area before attempting it in the more visible part of the room.