Tennis balls and other hacks to get rid of ugly scuff marks on walls

When wheelchair tires and black-sole shoes scuff a floor, one recommendation is to rub the marks away with the fuzzy cover on a clean tennis ball. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Q: What is the best way to clean scuff marks made from rubber wheelchair wheels off painted drywall and enamel-painted doors?

A: Scuff marks, by definition, are superficial — they sit on a surface without affecting whatever’s underneath. Scuffs are different from scratches, which dig into the underlying surface. But, of course, what appear to be scuff marks often also involve scratches. And even if you start out dealing only with scuffs, you can wind up adding scratches if you aren’t careful.

Some scuffs, like those from wheelchair tires or certain kinds of shoes, are smears left when a relatively soft material like