Amanny asked: How do I remove scuff marks from black kitchen appliances? There is a scuff mark on my fridge door, and I don’t know how to remove it.
Scuf
f marks can be caused by a variety of things. It’s important to ensure that the mark is simply a scuff, and not a scratch. Scuff marks occur when a layer (usually either rubber or paint) is left on the surface from something rubbing up against it. A scratch is a mark that goes into the surface, leaving a small indent. Scuff marks are fairly easy to remove, so if it does not remove easily, it may actually be a scratch.
Always test a new cleaning solution on a small hidden area first to look for any adverse reaction.
You Will Need:
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- Rubber eraser
- Windex
- Baking soda
- Cooking oil or petroleum jelly
- Soft cloths
Steps to Remove the Scuff Marks:
- Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are very effective at removing both rubber and paint scuff marks from a variety of surfaces. If the scuff mark is small, you may want to cut a small square of the sponge off. This way, the entire sponge does not get wet and can be used more easily at a later time.
- Begin by moistening the sponge with water.
- Gently rub the sponge over the surface of the scuff mark and watch it disappear.
- Avoid applying to much pressure. It is not necessary and can actually rub away the finish on the surface.
- If there are no Magic Erasers available, a regular white eraser can also be used to rub away scuff marks.
- Windex has also been found effective and can be sprayed on and wiped away with a soft cloth.
- Another option is baking soda, which works particularly well for textured surfaces. Sprinkle some baking soda on a damp cloth or sponge and scrub off the scuff mark.
- Some scuff marks respond well to oil, such as cooking oil or petroleum jelly. Simply wipe the oil onto the mark, let it sit for a minute, then wipe off the scuff.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Rubbing a rubber scuff mark with a tennis ball works well to remove it from a non-textured surface.
- For a stronger solution, try scrubbing off the mark using steel wool in a circular motion. Be careful though; this can easily scratch some appliance surfaces, especially stainless steel.
Sources
- Cleaning Tips for Free Spirits & Other Slobs by Martha Walden
- Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic
- 99 Cent Solutions by Reader’s Digest
My refrigerator doors were scuffed by house door weatherstrip as the movers forced the fridge into the house. No dents, but the finish looks terrible. Any suggestions?
Hi Joe,
Weatherstrips tend to be a rubber material, meaning that the scuffs you see on the fridge should be deposits on the surface of the fridge (removable) as opposed to having removed some of the material of the fridge. The steps in the article should work to remove the scuffs, regardless of their color (black rubber scuffs, white scuffs, etc.). Good luck!
DO NOT use the Magic Eraser if you have a shiny fridge surface with no texture. I tried a small section on mine and you can see where I tried to clean the scuff mark. I am still trying to find a way to clean shiny appliance surfaces.
Try WD-40 and a soft cloth to buff.
I use Goo Gone; works great. I also used it on my car to remove scuff marks, tar, etc.