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Step 1
Clean up stains as soon as possible using standard wood cleaner. Many stains will be removed by this process if done soon after the stain occurs.
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Step 2
Remove white stains and water marks by placing a cotton cloth over the stain. Using a dry iron with no steam, press down on the cloth for several seconds. Remove the cloth and inspect the stain. Repeat until the watermarks are gone.
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Step 3
Remove white stains as well as some darker stains by rubbing them with a rag soaked in mineral spirits. You may need to rub for several minutes. Mineral spirits will remove the wax on the furniture without harming the finish. The area will look dull when finished, but this can be resolved by adding a coat of furniture wax.
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Step 4
Remove grease stains by pouring salt directly onto the stain. Let the salt sit there for several minutes. Remove the salt and repeat until the grease is gone. Polish the area with a good wood polish once you have finished. You can also remove grease stains by placing a cloth dipped in wood cleaning solvent on the stain. Let the cloth sit for five minutes and then remove.
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Step 5
Remove protein stains, such as food or urine, by rubbing the area with a white cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Rub for as long as five minutes, checking the stain every minute. This can damage some finishes, so test it on a hidden area first. This is also said to work on water stains.
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Step 6
Remove crayon from your wood furniture with toothpaste (not gel). Rub the toothpaste on the mark with a damp cloth. You can also try using a mixture of 50 percent toothpaste and 50 percent baking soda, which is said to also remove white water stains.
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Step 7
Remove dark stains using xylene or Goof Off. Dab a small amount onto the stain using a cotton swab. Your goal is to dissolve and remove the part of the finish that is stained.
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Step 8
Remove stains caused by milk products by rubbing them with a cloth dipped in ammonia. Wipe off with a dry cloth.
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Step 9
Remove dried stains by creating a paste of rottonstone or a finely powdered pumice and linseed oil. Rub the paste onto the stain using a soft cloth. Repeat until the stain is gone.
