How to Remove Water Stains From Wooden Furniture

Whether it's from a carelessly placed glass or an accidental spill, a water stain on your wooden furniture can mar the otherwise sleek appearance that it lends to your home. Water stains may appear to be permanent damage that only refinishing can fix, but it doesn't always have to come to that. Before you prepare to refinish your furniture, consider a few simple methods first that may save you plenty of time and effort.

Things You'll Need

• Mineral spirits
• Soft clean cloth
• Vaseline
• Mayonnaise
• Cigarette ashes
• White toothpaste
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Apply mineral spirits to a clean soft cloth and gently rub the area to remove the stain. This may take a couple of minutes. If the area begins to look dull, use the mineral spirits to clean the entire surface to and apply a new coat of furniture polish.

2. Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the stained area and leave it there until you can no longer see the stain.

3. Apply enough mayonnaise to the stain to cover it completely and leave it overnight. In the morning wipe the residual mayonnaise away with a clean cloth. Make a paste of cigarette ashes and mayonnaise and rub it into the stain well. Leave it to sit for 20 minutes before wiping it away with a clean cloth.

4. Mix white toothpaste with baking soda in equal parts and rub it into the stain. Continue to rub the paste into the stain for 10 to 20 minutes before wiping it away with a soft, clean cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the stain is removed, use a furniture polish to restore the shine.

• Avoid the use of harsh chemicals and abrasives that may scratch the furniture.

References

• How to Remove Stains In Wood Furniture
• Removing Stains On Furniture
• Removing Water Stains from Wood Furniture