I’ll never forget the time when my oldest brother refused to use a coaster my mom gave him to set under his glass of iced tea, and his stubbornness resulted in three glaring white water stains on my parents’ wood end table.
He was 14 at the time and the scene was far from pretty… and I’m not referring to the water stains.
Homeowners with wood furniture are familiar with the trepidation that sets in during parties where dozens of people are milling around with wet glasses and no coasters. The fear of white water stains is palpable.
Fortunately, there are ways to remove water stains from wood surfaces. The key is finding one that works for your particular piece and using it as quickly as possible before the water can further penetrate the wood. For example, if a guest spills a drink on your wood coffee table, immediately blot the area with a soft, cotton rag to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Be careful not to scratch the wood. If you don’t have a soft cloth to work with, then use a hair dryer on a low setting to dry the excess moisture before it sets into the wood. Once the stain is gone, buff the area with oil-based furniture polish.
For older white water stains consider the mayonnaise method. With this process you will need to apply a thick layer of the popular condiment to the water mark and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning, wipe up the mayo with a soft cotton cloth, then treat the area with a commercial wood cleaner.
Another option is to use white toothpaste (not the gel-type) to remove a water stain. Simply apply a dime-sized amount of toothpaste to the stain and buff gently with a soft cotton cloth. Once the stain lifts, wipe off the toothpaste and polish per usual.