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Wow, good memory! Over a year ago I shared a hack on Instagram about how to fix scratches on wood. I didn’t use a walnut, but I did use 2 common ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. I can’t believe I haven’t written a post dedicated to this topic yet so let me share all FOUR easy methods I use to fix scratches on wood!

1 // Wipe on a little stain

If you have some stain on hand that closely matches the color of your wood, you can use an old rag to wipe a small amount of stain onto the furniture. Start with a little and add more until you feel it’s covered well. Minxax is my go-to brand for stain and they offer a ton of colors. Two things to note about using this method: 1) Stain naturally makes raw wood darker so in some cases you may notice that the scratches will become darker than the rest of the surface. Test a small inconspicuous spot first. 2) Stain cannot be used on wood that comes in contact with food. For wood in the kitchen (such as wood bowls or cutting boards), I suggest trying option #3 below.

2 // Use a furniture pen

I was first introduced to furniture pens when I worked in retail. As you can imagine, floor model furniture is prone to wear and tear and the easiest fix for small, inconspicuous scratches was a furniture pen. They come in a variety of colors and do a great job of blending in with the wood. I also find it easy to wipe away excess markings if necessary.

3 // Wipe on Food Safe Mineral Oil

When it comes to wood bowls, cutting boards, butcher block countertops, or any wood object that will come into contact with food, you can use a food safe mineral oil. This not only hydrates dry and cracked wood, but it also disguises unwanted scratches. I use this mineral oil regularly.

4 // Use an oil and vinegar mixture

And last but not least, the hack that you were originally asking about! You can fix scratches quickly using simply oil and vinegar from your kitchen! Mix 3/4 cup vegetable oil and 1/4 cup white vinegar in a bowl and wipe the mixture on any wood scratch using a rag or paper towel. This does an incredible job of matching to the existing wood and disguising shallow scratches! Someone asked me how long this will last and it varies, but my dresser has gone 1.5 years without any fading or touch ups.

Enjoy these easy touch up tricks! If you have a question that you’d like me to answer on the blog, submit your question here.