How to Remove Water Marks From Wood Surfaces
You may be surprised by some of these ideas for removing water marks from timber tabletops
Even the most wonderful guests can sometimes be clueless about using coasters beneath a glass. This usually results in the dreaded ring mark and other stains on wooden tabletops. With the entertaining season in full swing, here are a few ideas to help make sure the only things left behind after a great party are the memories.
Toothpaste, mayonnaise or baking soda
Timothy Dahl, home improvement expert, DIY enthusiast and editor of the design and DIY website Charles & Hudson, says he’s had success removing water marks and rings with some admittedly dubious techniques. He experimented on a table of his own using three different removal methods: toothpaste, mayonnaise and baking soda. “They might seem a bit far-fetched,” he says, “but we were pleasantly surprised.”
Although he successfully removed water marks from the tabletop with each technique, Dahl says a big part of whether a stain will come out depends on how long it has been allowed to soak into the wood. “There is a point of no return,” he says. “It depends on how long the moisture has been locked in there and how long it has dried.” The white water rings he worked on with the following methods were several months old.
Timothy Dahl, home improvement expert, DIY enthusiast and editor of the design and DIY website Charles & Hudson, says he’s had success removing water marks and rings with some admittedly dubious techniques. He experimented on a table of his own using three different removal methods: toothpaste, mayonnaise and baking soda. “They might seem a bit far-fetched,” he says, “but we were pleasantly surprised.”
Although he successfully removed water marks from the tabletop with each technique, Dahl says a big part of whether a stain will come out depends on how long it has been allowed to soak into the wood. “There is a point of no return,” he says. “It depends on how long the moisture has been locked in there and how long it has dried.” The white water rings he worked on with the following methods were several months old.
TOOTHPASTE: Dahl put a basic white toothpaste (not a gel) on a clean, dry cloth and dabbed it directly on the stain. He says the success of this method can be chalked up to abrasion, not water extraction. Dahl allowed the toothpaste to sit for a few minutes, then gently rubbed the toothpaste along the line of the stain. He said he began to see results immediately.
WHAT NOT TO DO: Dahl warns against scrubbing too hard or too far outside of the stain, which could potentially inflict additional damage by wearing away the finish. In addition, avoid using gel toothpastes and brands with bleaching agents. For his own experiment, Dahl used Sensodyne. In other words, keep it simple.
The best natural products to clean your house with
WHAT NOT TO DO: Dahl warns against scrubbing too hard or too far outside of the stain, which could potentially inflict additional damage by wearing away the finish. In addition, avoid using gel toothpastes and brands with bleaching agents. For his own experiment, Dahl used Sensodyne. In other words, keep it simple.
The best natural products to clean your house with
MAYONNAISE: Spread mayonnaise directly on the water mark and let it sit. Dahl left the mayo sitting for about three hours, and says some folks recommend leaving it to work on the stain overnight. After the waiting period, simply wipe away the spread. “We didn’t do any scrubbing as we had done with the toothpaste,” he says.
BAKING SODA: Finally, Dahl mixed a solution of baking soda and water using a 2:1 ratio in a small bowl, then used a soft, clean cloth to gently scrub the water mark with it. Although it lightened the stain, Dahl says the results were not as dramatic as with the toothpaste. Still, for a recently created white water mark, it might be worth a try.
Why baking soda is your new best friend
Why baking soda is your new best friend
Superfine steel wool
For white rings that don’t respond to a hair dryer, Johnson says his next step is using a super fine 0000 steel wool. He advises pouring a finishing product such as antique oil directly on the stain, then using the super fine 0000 steel wool to lightly abrade the surface, rubbing in the direction of the grain. Then use a towel to wipe the finish off. When you are done, use the finishing product again and wipe the entire surface of the table to polish it.
“Finally, once you’re done with the oil, wipe the oil off and put on a clear finish so it won’t happen again,” Johnson says.
For white rings that don’t respond to a hair dryer, Johnson says his next step is using a super fine 0000 steel wool. He advises pouring a finishing product such as antique oil directly on the stain, then using the super fine 0000 steel wool to lightly abrade the surface, rubbing in the direction of the grain. Then use a towel to wipe the finish off. When you are done, use the finishing product again and wipe the entire surface of the table to polish it.
“Finally, once you’re done with the oil, wipe the oil off and put on a clear finish so it won’t happen again,” Johnson says.
Dark rings and water marks
Dark water stains on a wood surface mean the water has soaked through the top layer of the finish and been absorbed into the wood. These stains are too deeply ingrained to be removed with surface techniques; the piece may need to be refinished. “When it gets into the wood, it will have to be stripped,” says Jose Arroyo, wood refinisher and owner of A & A Antique Restoration in the US.
Arroyo says the best way to deal with water stains is to avoid them altogether. To prevent stains, he suggests applying a topcoat of conversion varnish. “It’s the strongest product we have right now,” he says. “It’s a little more expensive, but I think it helps, and the water slides right off.”
Finally, of course, don’t forget the coasters.
Dark water stains on a wood surface mean the water has soaked through the top layer of the finish and been absorbed into the wood. These stains are too deeply ingrained to be removed with surface techniques; the piece may need to be refinished. “When it gets into the wood, it will have to be stripped,” says Jose Arroyo, wood refinisher and owner of A & A Antique Restoration in the US.
Arroyo says the best way to deal with water stains is to avoid them altogether. To prevent stains, he suggests applying a topcoat of conversion varnish. “It’s the strongest product we have right now,” he says. “It’s a little more expensive, but I think it helps, and the water slides right off.”
Finally, of course, don’t forget the coasters.
TELL US
Do you have any tried and true methods to remove water marks that aren’t mentioned here, or have you had success with any of these methods? Share your experiences in the Comments section below.
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Do you have any tried and true methods to remove water marks that aren’t mentioned here, or have you had success with any of these methods? Share your experiences in the Comments section below.
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“What we’re looking at when we see a white mark – sometimes it’s a white ring, sometimes it’s a cloudiness – is moisture that’s trapped in the finish. That’s the sign of a weak finish,” says Bruce Johnson, a wood finishing expert, spokesman for American wood finishing company Minwax, and author of the book The Wood Finisher. The ring indicates that the finish is wearing out and not keeping out moisture properly, he says. In this case, the moisture has not yet reached the wood itself, but has settled into the layer of finish. The good news is, if you act quickly there is hope.
Hot air
One of the best treatments for water marks that have recently occurred is also one of the simplest: a hair dryer. Johnson suggests setting a hair dryer on warm or low and moving it back and forth directly over the mark. In most cases, the action should draw out the moisture, dry the surface and cause the ring to evaporate.
Be aware that the fix will also heat up the wax finish on the wood and melt it slightly. Try buffing with a soft rag once the water mark evaporates.
WHAT NOT TO DO: “A lot of times people will grab the furniture polish or wax and pour that on the white mark,” Johnson says. “Well, all that does is prevent the moisture from escaping on its own.” He advises that you just leave it alone.
TIP: Try moving the piece of furniture to a dry area of your home and set up a fan to blow over the affected area.