How to Remove White Heat Stains From a Wood Table

There is nothing more upsetting than when someone inadvertently places a hot dish down on a beautifully-finished wood table. In mere seconds, it seems as the finish on your wood table is ruined with a giant white streak left behind. Well if the damage was only surface deep, here are some tips on how you can remove white heat stains from your wood table.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Iron (with steam capability)
• White t-shirt
• Wood table with white heat stains

1. Turn your iron to a low to medium setting and let it heat up.

2. Double-fold a white cotton T-shirt and place it over the white heat stains on your wood table.

3. Press the iron back and forth on the T-shirt, moving the iron slowly but consistently in the same manner you'd press a dress shirt.

4. Tap the steam release on the iron so that a burst of steam hits the back of the T-shirt over the stain.

5. Remove the T-shirt and see how you did. If the white heat stain was deep, then it will not be removed. But if the hot dish was on the wood table for 10 to 30 seconds, you stand a good chance of removing the stain.

Tips & Warnings

• The white heat is actually a collection of moisture that has been deposited between the wood and the finish of the wood. Think of an air bubble. By counteracting it with steam, you are in essence releasing that air bubble.