How to Remove Old Stains From Wood Chairs

Improperly sealed wood furniture is more apt to stain because it has no way to prevent moisture from getting in and causing spots to appear. Day-to-day life and children have a way of taking a toll on wood chairs, and occasionally a little extra time and care are needed to bring these pieces of home décor back to their best. Fortunately stains on wood chairs are an easy fix.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine bleach Vinegar White toothpaste Baking soda Mayonnaise Ashes WD-40 Clean cloth Paper towel

Instructions

1. Apply chlorine bleach on a nonabrasive clean cloth to the stained area under direct light. Allow the bleach to sit on the stain for 15 minutes. If the stain persists, apply more bleach and repeat the process up to three times. Rinse with equal parts vinegar and warm water once the stain is gone. This is very useful for removing water stains.

2. Apply a mixture of white toothpaste and baking soda to the stain, being sure to work it well into the stain and allowing it to sit on top of it. Allow the toothpaste to sit for 20 minutes before wiping it away with a clean cloth. This works well on both water stains and ink stains.

3. Apply a generous amount of mayonnaise to the stain and work it into the stain well with a paper towel. Allow the mayonnaise to sit overnight and wipe the area clean in the morning. This method works for almost any kind of stain.

4. Apply a paste of equal parts baking soda and water to the stain with a clean cloth. Allow the paste to sit overnight and remove it the next morning with a damp cloth. This is a good method to remove water stains.

5. Rub the area with ashes from a cigar or cigarette and a cloth until the stain is gone. This will work on most types of stains.

6. Spray WD-40 on the area and rub with the grain of the wood with a soft cloth. Use a mixture of warm water and dish soap to rinse the area. This is a great method for removing crayon or other wax stains.

Tips & Warnings

• Polish wood furniture on a regular basis to prevent water from getting under the finish and causing marks. Furniture polish can be purchased from almost any supermarket or local home-improvement store. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

• Test different methods on an inconspicuous part of the chair before trying to remove the stain. This may prevent damage to the chair.