How To Get Knife Marks Out Of A Kitchen Counter

Laminate countertops are made to withstand a lot of wear and tear, but in an area where sharp knives are often used, there will eventually be marks in the counter. If a scratch is too deep, you may need to call in a professional to repair your counter. For shallow cuts and marks, however, you can usually remove scratches from a solid surface countertop using products such as furniture paste wax for laminate worktops.

Before you remove scratches from a solid surface countertop, you need to clean the counter to remove food or dirt from the area. The proper way to do this is to first dampen a clean rag or towel with warm water and put a few drops of dish soap on it. You can also fill a small bowl or bucket with warm, soapy water and wet the rag in it. Then wipe the counter with the soapy rag. You can clean the entire countertop, paying particular attention to the scratched or marked area.

After cleaning the area, let it air dry for a few minutes and then dry it thoroughly with a clean, dry towel. Make sure that it is completely dry before using any kind of laminate kitchen worktop scratch remover. If the area still appears to be dirty after using water and soap, you can use a disinfectant spray on the area. Then wash with a soapy rag and dry the area in order to be ready to remove scratches from a solid surface countertop.

1. Apply Wax

Using a clean, soft rag, such as an old cotton tee shirt, apply a coating of furniture wax to the marked area of your countertop. Apply the wax in a circular motion with just a little pressure, as though you were waxing a car. Add as much wax as needed to fill the scratches. Don't worry about applying a little extra wax. If necessary, car wax can be used as an alternative to furniture paste wax for laminate worktops.

2. Remove Wax

Let the wax set for a couple of minutes, then use a separate rag or towel to buff it and remove any excess wax. Be sure to use a circular motion when doing this, and make sure the area is coated evenly. Wait 20 to 30 minutes for the wax to dry before using the countertop or setting anything on it.

3. Use Laminate Filler

If the marks are too deep for wax to remove scratches from the solid surface countertop, you can use a laminate or Formica filler from Home Depot or any other hardware store. Pick out a laminate filler color that best matches your counter. You can do this by taking a photo of your countertop with you when visiting the store.

4. Remove Excess Filler

Squeeze the laminate filler from the tube to fill the entire mark or scratch. Use a plastic putty knife to spread the filler and create an even surface. Remove any excess filler with the putty knife. Following the instructions on the filler tube, let the laminate filler dry and then wipe the area with a clean towel or rag before using the counter.