You might think your wood flooring or furniture is forever damaged when you find the surface is dented. However, there is actually a very easy way to remove the dented part of the softwood surface. The solution comes from the magical combination of heat and humidity. By rubbing a regular iron over the dents, you can remove dent marks and damage, and restore smoothness to the wood surface. This step only takes a few minutes and, when it's done, you won't even be able to see the mark.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Wetting the Wood
Step 1. Wet the dented area
Pour in just a little water, just enough to wet the dent and a little around it. Make sure the dented part is completely wet. Water pooling in the dent is a sign that the spot is completely wet.
- Using a dropper or pipette will help you pinpoint where the water should be dripping.
- If there is serious damage or chipping around the dent, you may need to have it repaired with professional help so as not to make it worse.
Step 2. Place a tissue or a wet washcloth on the dent
Wet a rag or tissue, and wring it out to remove the water, then place it directly over the dent. This damp cloth will add some moisture while creating a barrier that protects the hardwood floor from damage from the heat of the iron.
- You may be able to use an old t-shirt, an unused rag, or another cloth that won't matter if it breaks.
- If the surface of the furniture is dented on the sides or corners, you may need to hold the damp cloth while steaming it.
Step 3. Allow the water to soak into the wood
Leave the wood for a minute or two to absorb as much water as possible. The wood will become soft and supple when water is absorbed into it. The wood will expand and the dented area will fill again as you heat the area.
The deeper the water is absorbed in the wood, the more effective the evaporation process
Part 2 of 3: Steaming the Dentted Part
Step 1. Heat the iron
Turn on the iron on the highest heat setting. Leave it for a few minutes to heat it up. The iron must be hot for it to work effectively.
- The iron will be very hot once it is turned on. Touching the surface will burn your hands.
- When not in use, place the iron on a firm, flat surface to prevent it from rolling over.
Step 2. Rub the iron on the dented area
Press the iron against the rag covering the dent and move it in a circular motion. Repeat this by slowly enlarging the area you are ironing. Continue to heat the wood until the rag is dry, then lift the rag slightly to check your work.
- The heat from the iron (coupled with the moisture from the water) will cause the dented part of the wood to expand back into shape.
- Don't leave the iron on one spot for too long as this can burn the fabric or wood underneath.
Step 3. Wet the wood again and repeat as many times as needed
To fix small, shallow dents, you may only need to iron them once. However, for severe dents or areas with multiple marks, continue to add water and iron gently until the most severe dents are flat again.
- Between each ironing attempt, be sure to re-wet the cloth with water or take a new damp cloth or tissue.
- You may not be able to completely flatten the dent. However, heating it will help flatten the hardwood floor and make dents less visible.
Part 3 of 3: Polishing and Protecting Wood
Step 1. Allow the wood to dry completely
Wet wood is still soft so it is prone to breakage and damage. Allow the wood surface to dry on its own before proceeding to the next step. At this time, do not reassemble the furniture or place other objects to avoid further damage.
- The heat from the iron will evaporate most of the moisture in the wood, but it may take several hours for the wood to harden and stiffen again.
- The wood will shrivel as it dries, so starting to sand or applying pressure too quickly will only create new problems.
Step 2. Smooth the wood with sandpaper
In some cases, the wood will be slightly stained or water can make the wood color slightly faded. You can work around this by rubbing a small piece of coarse-textured sandpaper over the area until it blends into the surrounding wood.
Rub gently without pressing too much so that the surface of the wood that may be softened by dents is not scratched
Step 3. Apply a coating material to protect it
Once you've finished smoothing the wood surface, be sure to coat it with paint or laminate. This will hide any remaining dents and serve as protection against future stresses and impacts.
- In most cases, coating it once can cover the dent marks.
- Allow the newly coated area to dry overnight before touching it.
Step 4. Repair large dents with filler
Sometimes heating the wood surface is not enough to remove dents. Large, deep dents with chipped, cracked, or chipped wood should be treated by a professional. Severe damage can usually be repaired with a durable varnish or epoxy filler.
- If the damaged part of the wood floor is large, ask a carpenter to help cut special wood that is tailored to the damaged part.
- After that, the repaired part may still need to be painted or re-polished.
Tips
- Using the steam feature on the iron may be more effective at removing dented pieces of wood.
- Heat is best suited for removing small dents from soft, unpolished wood species such as pine, birch, or cedar.
- Consider covering areas that are prone to damage with pillows, rugs, or other bedding.
- Apply a coat of varnish to protect furniture or wood floors from drops, spills, or other accidents.
Warning
- Do not let the iron directly touch the surface of the floor or wooden furniture.
- Avoid using synthetic fabrics to cover wooden surfaces. This type of fabric melts easily due to the heat of the iron.
- There is no guarantee that evaporation will work for hardwood or plywood that is thick and painted or coated with a clear protective coating.
