How to remove scuff marks from painted walls

What a scuff mark really is

A scuff is usually something left on the paint, not damage in it. Rubber soles, chair legs, bags, vacuum bumpers and furniture rub off a thin film of rubber, plastic or dirt as they slide past. That film sticks to the paint because the surface has tiny peaks and valleys. A dry eraser or a mild soap can often lift it off because it never soaked in. A dent, a gouge or bare drywall is a different job and needs patching, not cleaning.

How much cleaning the paint can take depends on its sheen. Flat and matte paints have a rough, low-shine surface that hides flaws but holds onto dirt. Paint makers say they're less durable than satin or semi-gloss, so hard scrubbing can polish them. That polishing is called burnishing, and it shows up as a shiny patch that stands out under light. Eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and gloss have a smoother, tougher film. That's why hallways, kids' rooms and trim are often painted in a higher sheen. Fresh paint is soft too, so wait until it has cured before you wash it.

Why the scuff won't come off cleanly

Let's fix it

1. Check the paint sheen and test a spotBefore you clean, find out what kind of paint you're working on. Shine a flashlight across the wall at a low angle. Flat or matte paint looks chalky with almost no reflection. Eggshell has a faint glow, satin a soft sheen, and semi-gloss or gloss a clear shine. If you have the leftover can, the label names the sheen. Next, pick a hidden spot, such as behind a door or inside a closet. Try your cleaning method there first and let it dry. If the paint still looks the same and shows no water marks or shiny patch, it's safe to use on the scuff. Paint makers say to wait at least 2 weeks after painting before washing.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • The test spot turned shiny or lighter That's burnishing, and the paint is likely flat or matte. Skip harder methods and stick to a dry eraser and very light soapy water, or plan to touch up in Step 6.

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2. Rub it off dry firstStart with no water at all. Many fresh black shoe and rubber marks lift right off with friction. Use a clean white art eraser, the soft vinyl kind sold for drawing. A pink pencil eraser can leave its own color behind. Rub the mark with short, light strokes in one direction, and brush away the crumbs. For marks low on a wall, a clean tennis ball works the same way. Hold it in your hand. Rub gently and check often. On flat paint, stop as soon as the mark is gone, since rubbing the same spot too long can polish it.
   Done

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3. Wash with warm water and dish soapIf a mark or gray smudge is left, add water. Mix 2 or 3 drops of mild dish soap into a bucket of warm water. Dip a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, then wring it out until it stops dripping. Too much water can mark the paint or run into outlets. Wipe the scuff in small circles with light pressure. Work from the outside of the mark inward so you don't spread it. Then wipe the spot with a second cloth dampened in plain water to rinse off the soap. Pat it dry with a clean towel. Let it dry fully before you judge it, since damp paint can look darker than it really is.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • A clean-looking ring shows around the spot Wash a slightly larger area and feather the edges out, so there's no hard line between clean and dirty paint.
   • Water ran down the wall Wring the sponge harder and wipe drips from the bottom up right away. Streaks often dry out; buff any left with a dry microfiber cloth.

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4. Try baking soda paste on tougher marksFor marks that stay after washing, such as furniture rubs or crayon, try baking soda. Mix a spoonful of baking soda with a few drops of water into a paste about as thick as toothpaste. Dab a little on a damp soft cloth, not on the wall. Rub the mark gently in small circles for a few seconds, then check. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, so it works best on eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and gloss paint. On flat or matte paint, test it in your hidden spot first, because it can leave a dull or shiny patch. Rinse with a damp cloth and pat dry.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • The mark is gone but the spot looks dull The paste took a little sheen with it. Stop rubbing there. A light coat of matching paint in Step 6 usually hides it.

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5. Use a melamine sponge lightlyA melamine sponge, often sold as a magic eraser, can remove stubborn marks. It works like very fine sandpaper, though, so it can also take off a little paint. Use it only after the gentler steps, and test it in your hidden spot first. Wet the sponge and squeeze it until it's just damp. Hold it flat and use the lightest pressure that works. Make a few short strokes, then wipe and look. Stop as soon as the mark fades. On flat and matte paint, it often leaves a shiny or dull patch, so skip it there or accept that you may need to touch up. Rinse the spot with a damp cloth and let it dry.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • Paint color is coming off on the sponge Stop right away. You're wearing through the paint. Let it dry and touch up the spot in Step 6.

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6. Touch up if the finish changedIf a shiny patch, dull spot or bare area is left, paint is the fix. You need the same color and the same sheen. Leftover paint from the original job matches best; stir it well. If you have none, a paint store can often match a chip cut from a hidden spot. Clean and dry the area first. Use a small brush or mini roller, matching how the wall was first painted. Apply a thin coat to the spot and feather the edges outward with an almost dry brush. Let it dry and check from several angles. If it still shows, the touch-up may need to cover the wall from corner to corner. See the guide to touching up wall paint for more.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • The touch-up looks like a patch This is common with flat paint, older paint or a slightly different sheen. Repaint the whole wall section from corner to corner instead of adding more coats to the spot.

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Watch it done

5 Ways to Get Scuff Marks off Painted Walls [Easy and Safe]By Repaint Now on YouTube. Their method may vary a little from ours.

Watch on YouTube

If it comes back

If marks keep showing up in the same spot, something keeps hitting it. A door handle, chair back or vacuum is the usual culprit. If a door knob has started to dent the wall, see the guide for a door that swings open or closed, and add a door stop.

If a scuff turned out to be a dent or a small hole, cleaning won't hide it. See the guide to patching a hole in drywall, or the guide to fixing a dented drywall corner for an outside corner.

If paint flakes off when you wipe it, or bubbles up, the problem is adhesion, not dirt. See the guide to fixing peeling paint. To blend a repair into the rest of the wall, see the guide to touching up wall paint.