Black streaks on the floor or walls? Try these DIY methods to make them disappear

Not all stains that appear on floors are easy to remove with simple soap and water, especially in the case of wooden floors that, obviously, shouldn't be washed too often with water. In fact, it often happens that the soles of some types of shoes leave dark marks and scuffs on the floor, as do as the wheels and legs of some pieces of furniture, and more (luggage cases, for example). And these dark streaks occasionally show up on the walls too, ruining their appearance.

However, there are a number of home tips you can try to get rid of them, and they're all pretty simple and inexpensive. From tennis balls to vinegar, find out how you can make dark streaks and scuffs on your floors and walls disappear.

• Use a tennis ball: you will need a clean, new tennis ball, and you just have to use it as you would a regular, normal rubber (eraser), rubbing the marks and scuffs to erase any traces left by shoes. This is a method often used on wooden floors, and to make it more convenient for you, you can cut the ball with an "X" using a utility knife, in order to open the ball partially and put the end of a wooden handle into it (a wooden spoon can work). In this way, you can use your improvised "rubber" more smoothly and easily.
• Erasers: The erasers used in schools can also be useful on dark streaks on the floors. First take care that the rubber is not already dirty with traces of pencil or ink before starting.
• On tile or stoneware floors you can also try baking soda mixed with hot water to create a light paste. Pass it over the marks to be eliminated with the help of a microfiber cloth or a soft sponge, then remove the paste, after letting it act for a few minutes, by washing and drying the surface as you usually would.
• There are those who also use nail polish remover (nail polish remover is basically an acetone solvent with a fatty material added, like lanolin or caster oil). This product is not suitable for very delicate floors and, in any case, it can ruin the glossy finish of the floor’s coating, so it should be used sparingly and infrequently. First test the polish remover product on a small out-of-sight area of the floor to determine if it will cause any lasting damage.
• Magic Melamine Gum: Melamine sponges (also called nano-magic erasers, or magic sponges) are as effective when used on walls as they are on floors, and are used just like regular cleaning gums or slimes.
• On walls (which do not have delicate wallpaper affixed to them), you can also use the following method: mix half a liter of hot water, a glass of white vinegar and a few drops of dish washing soap in a bowl. Use a sponge to pass the mixture over the marks and scuffs, rubbing lightly on each individual mark. Then use a soft cloth to wash the entire wall, rinse off with another (clean) cloth and finally dry the wall’s surface using a final, dry cloth.

Do you have a favorite method for removing these types of markings and scuffs from your floors and walls?