I’ve burned a scorch mark onto my floor more times than I care to admit, usually as a result of being overly hasty when multitasking between laundry and letting my hair dry while using a hot curling iron or flat iron. Removing scorch marks from floors can depend upon the type of floor you are working with. Scorch marks on vinyl, laminate, hardwood, and tile all behave quite differently when exposed to heat. What works beautifully to remove a scorch mark from one type of floor can completely ruin another.
This article explains how to correct heat damage to flooring, ranging from a scorch mark on the surface of a floor to a completely melted patch. I’ve had my share of battles with burnt stains and although many are easily removed using basic equipment, others require a little more elbow grease (or sometimes, an alternative solution). I’ll go over the basics for correcting heat damage to flooring.
Determine the Type of Floor and Degree of Damage
Before attempting to remove a scorch mark from your floor, identify what type of floor you have. Believe it or not, this is more important than you would think.
A vinyl floor feels smooth and somewhat cushioned underfoot. They are essentially made of plastic. Laminate flooring resembles real wood but has a thick, synthetic topcoat. Hardwood has a natural wood grain and may only darken instead of melt. Ceramic or porcelain tile does not melt, however, it may become discolored and/or impact grout lines.
Once you determine what type of floor you have, evaluate the depth of the scorch. Is it a surface scorch or did the heat penetrate through multiple layers? If it is simply a surface discoloration, great! You should be able to remove it. However, if it is a melted hole or deep black spot, you may need to repair or replace the affected area.
Removing Scorch Marks from Vinyl Floors
Vinyl floors are heat sensitive, therefore making them easy to damage, yet relatively simple to fix if the scorch is not too deep. I personally used an iron and let it sit on the vinyl, causing a nasty brownish/black mark. The following method worked for me:
Clean the area around the scorch using a gentle soap and warm water. This cleans the surface of the floor to ensure you are not rubbing dirt into the floor.
Next, create a baking soda paste (baking soda and water) or use white vinegar. Using a soft cloth, gently rub the scorch area in a circular motion. I was amazed at how well the baking soda paste lifted the light discoloration.
If the scorch penetrated through the surface of the floor, gently sand the area using 600-800 grit sandpaper. Sand slowly. You want to smooth the surface of the floor, not gouge it.
Apply a vinyl floor repair kit or color-matched filler (available at local hardware stores). This fills in any lost texture and matches the color of the surrounding area.
Optional advanced fix: If the scorch penetrated through the top layer of the vinyl, or if the tile is warped, it is best to cut and replace the damaged tile. Using a heat gun and vinyl tile adhesive can make replacing the tile easier than you thought.
Removing Scorch Marks from Laminate Floors
Since laminate flooring has a thin, plastic-like top layer, scorch marks usually appear to be more superficial. However, if the laminate melts, it is a disaster waiting to happen. Timing is everything when removing scorch marks from laminate flooring.
Begin with a melamine sponge (Magic Eraser). These products are amazing! Simply dampen the sponge and gently rub the scorch area. Many minor scorch marks caused by irons will come out using this method.
If the scorch area remains, apply a small amount of acetone or rubbing alcohol to a soft cloth. Before applying, test the product in a non-visible area of the floor. Some laminates may not be compatible with chemicals. Gently rub the area in a circular motion.
If the scorch area melted the laminate, you will need to sand the area using 800 grit sandpaper, and then apply laminate floor repair wax or filler sticks (if possible, color match the surrounding area). I have successfully used filler sticks to blend in areas where I sanded the laminate.
However, if the scorch is too deep, you may need to replace the entire plank. Although laminate planks lock together, YouTube was my friend during this process.
Removing Heat Stains or Burns from Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors break my heart whenever they get scorched. However, the good news is that most heat damage to wood is more cosmetic than structural.
Using a combination of baking soda and white toothpaste, gently rub the scorch mark in the direction of the wood grain with a soft cloth. Amazingly, this can lift the minor discoloration.
To remove darker scorch marks, use a 0000 grade steel wool, dip it in mineral oil, and gently rub the scorch mark in the direction of the wood grain. Take your time, you are not sanding, you are merely blending.
Afterwards, clean the area and apply a wood polish or wax. It brings the shine back to the finish and blends the repair.
For deeper scorch marks, you may need to lightly sand the area and then refinish the area with a matching stain. I once used a wood stain marker to hide a dark circle on my kitchen counter left by a hot pot, it wasn’t perfect, but unless you are standing directly next to the spot, you wouldn’t know it existed.
Cleaning Scorch Marks from Tile Floors
Tile floors are the least likely to melt, but scorch marks can occur, especially on lighter tiles or in the grout.
Mix baking soda and water to form a paste and apply it to the scorch area. Using a toothbrush, gently scrub the area. If the baking soda paste does not remove the scorch mark, try using hydrogen peroxide or oxygen bleach (non-chlorine) to remove the deeper stain.
If the grout is stained, you can restore the grout using a grout pen or by regrouting a small section. I used a grout pen to restore the grout in my bathroom, and the results were pretty good for a 10-minute fix.
When to Call a Pro
DIY has its limitations. If your floor has melted, warped, or the scorch went through several layers, it is time to call a professional. Flooring professionals can replace boards, refinish hardwood evenly, and color-match vinyl repairs far better than a patch-up kit.
If you have attempted to follow the methods outlined in this article and the scorch area remains, it may be time to call a professional.
Tips to Prevent Scorch Marks from Occurring in the First Place
After scorching my vinyl floor, I became paranoid about heat damage. Here are some tips I learned:
Use a heat-resistant mat under your curling irons, flat irons, and space heaters.
Have a trivet available to protect surfaces from hot pots and pans. Never leave a hot item on the floor, even for a second.
Invest in an iron rest if you work with fabrics, etc., as I do. Iron rests are lifesavers!
Place a silicone mat under your hot tools if you are using them near the floor. Trust me, it is worth the investment to prevent heat damage to your floor.
Scorch marks occur when we are distracted by our surroundings. Whether you have a vinyl, laminate, hardwood, or tile floor, there is a method to remove the scorch marks.
The key is to act quickly and to use the proper method for your specific type of flooring. Do not panic. Do not begin using steel wool immediately. And do not assume the scorch mark is irreversible.
By using the proper method for your flooring, you can remove the scorch mark and restore your floor’s appearance without having to replace the entire floor.
