Turn An Old Crayon Into A Cheaper Way To Remove Hardwood Floor Heat Stains

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Hardwood floors have a lot going for them. They are one of the best flooring choices to pair with a modern farmhouse, last long, are available in a variety of colors and types, and are easy to clean. Sadly, they may develop heat stains (white unsightly marks) over time if they come into contact with hot items regularly. They'll be more pronounced if the protective coating has worn thin over the years. While you can let them be if you'd like your floor to have a bit of character, they can stand out too much and may be a deterrent if you plan on listing your home in the near future. So, getting them out is necessary. Since you should think twice before painting this item around your house, rub an old crayon over the stains to camouflage them instead.

Just pick one that closely matches your floors and get to work. Remember, you might have to blend in more than one shade to replicate your floor's natural hue. This hack works because paraffin wax is the key ingredient in crayons. As such, they double as a wax filler and help hide the white stains from your flooring. Moreover, they contain binding agents. This keeps them solid and allows them to maintain their shape by adhering to the wood. So, you won't have to worry about the crayon-covered marks regressing back to their original state after a while. Plus, this is an inexpensive hack, as you don't need any other supplies except an old crayon or two.

Get your pack of crayons and pick the color you think is the closest match to your hardwood floor. If you aren't sure, rub it in an inconspicuous spot to be 100% certain. A layered approach will be best if your floors have distinct undertones and streaks. Once you have the required shades, clean the heat stains with a damp microfiber cloth to eliminate dust and grime. Then, let it air dry.

Now, start coloring in the marks. Pick a small section or stain at a time and rub your crayon back and forth till you see the wax penetrate the mark. Be patient and go over it gently to get the stains out of your hardwood floors. It's also better if you go along the grain of the wood for a more natural look. If you have to use more than one crayon, keep a paper towel (or an old cloth) handy and buff the surface after each pass to help the color blend in better. Once done, turn on your hair dryer and set it to low. Move it back and forth over the marks to let the crayon adhere the cracks. 

In case you notice a scratch, too, you can slightly melt the tip of your crayon with a blow dryer or lighter and drip the melted wax into the gap. Afterward, use a credit card to scrape away any excess dried wax. Go over the stain again with a paper towel to help buff it in. To let your fix last a while, seal it with a coat of clear wood polish, like Guardsman's Clean & Polish For Wood Furniture.