How to Remove Vacuum Cleaner Skid Marks
A vacuum makes your house cleaner by removing dirt, dust and other buildup from carpets and hardwood floors, but no cleaning instrument is perfect. The wheels and edges of the vacuum can leave ugly black skid marks on floors and the baseboards of your home.
Water alone will not remove these marks, but they are not permanent. A few methods exist to try to remove these marks and return your home to looking its best.
Things You Will Need
- Eraser
- Water
- Rag or cloth
- Toothpaste
- Tennis ball
Tip
Cover the edges of the vacuum cleaner with duct tape or masking tape to prevent skid marks from walls and trim.
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Erase the skid mark using an ordinary pencil eraser. Use a new eraser if possible so you don’t transfer any lead marks onto the surface. Rub until the mark is gone, and wipe up the eraser remains with a damp cloth.
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Cover the skid mark with toothpaste (not the gel kind). Toothpaste is slightly abrasive and can help to draw the marks off of a wall or floor. Allow the toothpaste to sit on the surface for five minutes. Wipe up the paste and the mark with a damp cloth.
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Rub at the mark with the fuzzy section of a clean tennis ball. The skid mark will come off on the rough surface of the ball. Do not use a ball that is meant for display -- such as one with an autograph -- as the black mark will adhere to the ball.
The Drip Cap
- A vacuum makes your house cleaner by removing dirt, dust and other buildup from carpets and hardwood floors, but no cleaning instrument is perfect.
- Erase the skid mark using an ordinary pencil eraser.
- Use a new eraser if possible so you don’t transfer any lead marks onto the surface.
References
Writer Bio
Samantha Volz has been involved in journalistic and informative writing for over eight years. She holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with a minor in European history. In college she was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper and completed a professional internship with the "Williamsport Sun-Gazette," serving as a full-time reporter. She resides in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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