How to Salvage Kid-Damaged Furniture: 6 Common Disasters You Can Fix

AD It YourselfHow to Salvage Kid-Damaged Furniture: 6 Common Disasters You Can FixProtect your home from sticky hands

By Shivani Vora

May 30, 2022

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Crayon art on the walls? Spilled milk on your favorite couch? We've got all the fixes for a kid-ravaged home. Illustration: Julia Abbonizio/Getty Images

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“But it was an accident,” is a phrase parents often hear as their children try to explain things like why swirly, red marker designs are suddenly decorating your white walls. Even well-behaved kids have a mishap that can do a number on your house: Stains, scratches, upholstery pilling, and dents are all fair game.

Interior designer, and mother of two young children, Caron Woolsey, who runs an eponymous design company in Woodlands, Texas, knows how to protect furniture firsthand. She says that her furniture, along with her walls and floors, have seen the brunt of this kid-induced damage. “All the neighborhood kids constantly over,” she says. “We have a stampede running through our house at all times. They have fun playing and jumping everywhere, but our house definitely sees the impact.”

Luckily, Woolsey says you don’t need to invest in new pieces or have your floors redone to return them to decent shape. A few simple DIY tricks is all it takes to give them a refresh.

Catalina Castaño, a New York City–based interior designer and a mother of two young children, agrees. “I always want my house to look clean and crisp, and I have figured out easy-to-follow fixes to do that,” she says.

Instead of pulling your hair out in aggravation due to household damage from little rascals, learn how to tackle the destruction instead. Fight back with these six handy tips so little vandals don’t stand a chance.

The problem: Grime and scratches on the walls

The solution: Our experts swear by the power of Mr. Clean MagicErasers. They can tackle nearly every kind of scuff and handprint on any wall and most any kind of paint. 

Woolsey also suggests installing wood panels two thirds of the way up the walls. “You can paint the panels the way you would a kitchen cabinet, and they are much more durable and scrubbable than a wall because they don’t tarnish the way a wall can,” she says. “They’re pricier up front but worth it in the long run.”

Another idea: Repaint your walls with emulsion paint—a water-based paint that’s tougher than standard paint and can stand up to scuffs. Castaño recommends going for a satin or gloss finish because these sheens allow unwelcome marks to be wiped away more easily. 

The problem: Pilling upholstery 

The solution: Seating with cotton, linen, and synthetic blend upholstery is prone to pilling, especially if your kids get a thrill rolling around or jumping on and off the furniture. “My kids use our couches like a gymnastics apparatus more than a place to sit,” Woolsey says.

A fabric shaver is a miracle at removing pills and transforming the surface of textiles. Woolsey recommends Beautural Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover. Spending $9 instead of $900 for a new armchair is a no-brainer. 

The problem: Chipped furniture

The solution: Has that dining table seen too many unhappy meals? Cue toddler banging a cup for more milk. Any piece of natural wood furniture can get a mini facelift with furniture markers that hide the imperfections. Another option: repaint the entire piece with black paint so you can hide new chips with a Sharpie, Woolsey recommends. 

The problem: Scratched wood floors and furniture

The solution: Old English Scratch Cover Polish is magic in a bottle, according to Woolsey. Put some on a rag and rub it over the damaged areas. It camouflages scratches and color blemishes. Castaño likes clear wax or a polish shade close to the color of the furniture. “Clean the surface with a soft cloth, apply the wax, and then buff,” she says. “This technique and application will make the surface smooth.”

To preserve a new wood table from messy little hands, Castaño suggests placing a thick pad over the surface, then covering with a pretty, washable tablecloth. “If there’s a spill, you can wash the cloth,” she says. “If there is any damage due to kids doing their homework or arts-and-crafts projects, the pad will protect the surface from dents.”

The problem: Stained rugs and carpets

The solution: Make a mixture of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% distilled white vinegar, put it in a spray bottle, and spray all over the rug. Wipe the rug with a cloth, and watch most stains disappear. “My daughter had reflux and threw up constantly on our carpets,” Woolsey says. “This solution saved them every time. It’s also chemical free.” 

When replacing an unsalvageable rug, know that 100% hand-knotted wool is most durable.

The problem: Stubborn sofa stains 

The solution: Skip the spot cleaner because it can discolor the fabric, according to Castaño.  Even soap and water can leave unsightly watermarks. “The best way to clean stains is to wipe them down with a clean cloth that has a little bit of water on it,” she says. “Let it dry, and repeat several times. The stains will eventually fade.” Once a couch is clean, protect it from future disasters by spraying it down with Scotchgard fabric protector.

For a mess on a leather couch, rub with a cloth and some leather oil—though olive oil can work too, just test in an obscure spot first. “The oil will penetrate through the leather and even out the color,” Castaño says.

For a couch that has lost its battle with grape juice and chocolate milk, invest in a slipcover. Once the spills take over, yet again, you can tackle the pesky stains .

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