Of course this has happened. Someone puts the glass directly onto the wooden table before you prepare the base. As a result, ring stains form on the surface of the table. Before you go out of your way to repaint your countertop, learn about some of these inexpensive options for removing stains from wood.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Remove the White Ring
Step 1. Remove the stain using an iron
Wipe off any remaining water on the table surface. Place a towel, t-shirt, or other cloth over the stain. This cloth will protect the table from the iron. Turn on the iron on low and rub it gently over the cloth for a few moments. Lift the cloth to see if the stain on the table has been removed successfully. If not, change layers of fabric and repeat.
- Be sure to turn on the steam-free iron.
- Try to clean the stain as soon as possible. Dry the entire surface of the stain before starting to clean the stain.
- Wipe the water and moisture off the countertop each time you lift the iron.
- White rings are caused by vapors or liquids. This white color indicates that the vapor or liquid is just getting into the varnish, which means it will be much easier to clean than a darker stain.
Step 2. Wipe the stain with a wire sponge and lemon oil
Buy a soft wire sponge. Soak a wire sponge in lemon oil. Gently rub the sponge over the white ring. Then wipe the stain with a cloth that has been moistened with alcohol denat.
Lemon oil is an ingredient that will lubricate and prevent the wood from scratching
Step 3. Try using toothpaste
Place the toothpaste on your finger or a piece of cloth. Rub toothpaste on the wooden surface until it feels hot. Wet a cloth with water and wipe off the toothpaste. Drain any remaining water.
- Make sure to use white toothpaste and not gel.
- You don't need to use a lot of toothpaste. Just a little is enough.
- Don't rub the wood for too long. Try not to rub beyond the stained area, as this can peel off the varnish and protective coating of the wood.
- Repeat again until the stain on the wood is gone.
Step 4. Dry the stain with a hairdryer
Get a hairdryer ready and turn it on on high. Hold it near the stain. The stain on the wood should start to disappear as the hairdryer picks up the moisture. Be sure to run the hair dryer around the stained area.
- The time it takes to perform this step is probably 10-30 minutes.
- Rub a little olive oil on the wood surface after drying to restore moisture.
Step 5. Wipe the stain with an oil-based product
Products that contain oils such as mayonnaise, butter, and petroleum jelly can seep into the wood and remove moisture. Rub mayonnaise or petroleum jelly over the stained surface. Leave it for 1 hour or overnight.
- Be sure to add more mayonnaise to the stain if it starts to dry out.
- Mix mayonnaise or petroleum jelly with cigarette ash to make it more abrasive in removing stains.
Step 6. Use baking soda
Mix baking soda with toothpaste or water to remove stains. If using water, mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part water. Use a rag to gently exfoliate the stain.
If using baking soda with toothpaste, mix the two in equal proportions. Wipe it over the stain with a rag. Clean with a damp cloth afterwards
Method 2 of 2: Removing Other Stains
Step 1. Use baking soda to remove the stain
Baking soda is a powerful cleaning agent. To remove stains, mix baking soda with distilled vinegar or lemon juice. Make a thick paste like toothpaste. Rub it over the stain. Use a sponge to rub the paste onto the wood surface. When finished, wipe the paste off the area with a cloth and clean water.
- You can also use your fingers instead of a sponge.
- Add a little vinegar or water if the stain is difficult to remove.
- Repeat this step until the stain is removed.
- You can also try using the Magic Eraser to remove the dye.
Step 2. Use dish soap to remove any non-greasy stains
Use laundry soap to remove food stains and nail polish. Mix the laundry soap with warm water, soak a washcloth in the soap solution, and then rub it over the stain.
This method is best suited for cleaning lean stains
Step 3. Clean grease stains with ammonia
Try using a small amount of ammonia mixed with cold water to clean greasy stains. Wet a cloth with the ammonia solution, then gently wipe it over the stained area.
Step 4. Clean the animal droppings with a bacteria-killing solution
When animals leave their droppings on wooden floors, the bacteria must be removed. Bacteria can cause stains and bad odors. To remove stains and bacteria, use a 5% phenol solution. You can buy this solution at hardware and home supply stores. Clean the area affected by animal waste with a damp, soft cloth.
If your floor is waxed, use a wire sponge and mineral spirit. Clean the area in a circular motion. Wipe and re-gloss the area afterwards
Step 5. Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the permanent marker
Pour a small amount of the isopropyl alcohol solution onto the rag. Wipe the rag over the surface of the stain to remove it. Wipe with a damp cloth afterwards to remove any residue.
- Try using it on the underside of the table first to make sure it's safe for the table.
- Try using toothpaste to remove permanent marker stains, too.
Step 6. Use bleach to clean black stains
Use the oxalic acid found in wood bleach and some household cleaning products. You can buy this product at home supply stores and some department stores. First, you'll need to peel off the layer of varnish on the stained area to clean it.
- Mix the oxalic acid product with water to form a thick paste. Be sure not to mix it in a metal bowl, as oxalic acid can stain the metal. Apply the oxalic acid paste to the surface of the stain using a disposable rag or brush. Let it dry. Apply a few more times. Rinse the stained area each time you apply the oxalic acid paste again.
- If bleach doesn't remove the stain, it's possible that the stain was caused by something else, such as food or wine. Try using hydrogen peroxide or bleach as the next step.
- Return a coat of varnish to the stained area. Apply varnish only where it needs it.
- Black stains are caused by water seeping deep into the wood veneer. These stains are much more difficult to remove.
Tips
- Try all of the methods in this article on one of the hidden areas first before trying to clean the stain as it may actually exacerbate damage to certain woods.
- If the black stain has soaked too deep, you may need to peel off the layer of varnish. You may also have to peel the wood to remove the stain and then varnish it again.
