This is an extra but vital step in making your wooden furniture and flooring look as good as possible, both now and in the future. Please note – Always test on a small area first to ensure that it is compatible with the surface finish.

The heat expands the timber, opening up pores that moisture can then penetrate. When the area cools down and the wood contracts again, the water then becomes trapped beneath the surface. If you’ve read any of our other cleaning guides, you’ll have no doubt come across these two products before. All gone! The bicarbonate of soda worked on the lighter water marks but had little effect on older ones. (Image credit: Future/Natasha Brinsmead) 3. Can mayonnaise remove water rings?Dark marks made by water or heat indicate damage to the wood. The finish may need to be completely removed so the bare wood (see our guide on stripping wood here) It can then be treated with Wood Bleacher. From dining tables to floorboards, coffee tables, nightstands, cabinetry, and sideboards, you’re guaranteed to have at least one wooden surface in your home. The verdict: This one was a bit hit and miss in all honesty. While it did nothing on the ingrained dark water stain, I did have huge success in removing white water rings from some bedside tables and all it took was a gentle rub. It also made a difference to some light water stains on the wooden frame of our bi fold doors so definintely worth a go on lighter, fresher stains.

If the appearance of the stain doesn’t seem to be changing, you can also try introducing steam which has been found to work well in some cases. If you’ve ever set a coffee mug down without a coaster or left a hot dish on the dining table while eating your Sunday roast, you’ll be all too familiar the dreaded white heat mark left behind. I love mayonnaise when mixed with prawns, but to remove stains...really? I had always thought of mayo as being something that caused stains rather than removed them. Be sure to follow the instructions on the oxalic acid product label carefully, as different products may require different dilution ratios or application methods. The first method to try is the hairdryer approach. Select a low heat setting (you want warm air not hot) and hold the dryer 3-5 inches above the stain.

How Do You Get Stains Out of Wood?

The ring remover can cause a slight shiny area once used. If you are using this on a satin or matt finish, simply use the 0000 wire wool to gently rub over the shiny area to dull it slightly. We would recommend to always finish by coating with a wax. The ironing method made little difference to this stain —and there were no significant changes to the white stains either. (Image credit: Future/Natasha Brinsmead) 2. Does bicarbonate of soda and water remove water stains? The above stain removal methods are so effective that they not only eliminate the stain—they may also start to strip the wood stain used to colour the wood and provide a protective coating. Vinegar and olive oil: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and olive oil in a bowl. Dip a clean microfibre cloth in the mixture and use it to apply it to the stain, rubbing gently in the direction of the wood grain. Let the cleaning solution sit for a few hours or overnight, then wipe it off. The stain should be lighter and less noticeable.