How to Remove Stains from Wooden Furniture?

IN THIS POST:
– Light Stains
– Dark Stains

Wooden furniture is a staple in most homes, but sadly, while being quite durable, it is prone to scratches and stains. Scratches on wood furniture can easily be removed using some home-based methods though, and luckily, the same can also be said for all kinds of stains that get left behind on a wooden surface. Let’s discover how to remove stains from wooden furniture with some easy tips and hacks.

Ways to Remove Stains from Wood

All wooden furnishings are available in two common hues – light or dark. Ironically, most wooden surfaces will also suffer from stains in the same hues, usually found in the shape of rings.

A light stain with wood discolouration leaves a white water ring behind and is generally caused by moisture seeping into the polished layer of the wood. This can happen when you place a cold glass of water or a hot steaming pan on top of a wooden surface or spill liquid onto it. While it may look bad, this kind of stain is easy to clean, in comparison to darker stains.

A dark stain on the wood often means that the moisture has passed from the top surface into the wood itself, and can be harder to get rid of. It may also damage the wood over time if care is not taken.

Below, we’ll cover some methods to remove stains from wooden furniture, focusing first on light and then on dark stains.

How to Remove Light Stains from Wood?

Here are some of the most common methods to remove light water stains from wood:

Use an Iron

Considering that light stains on wood are caused by moisture penetrating through the polished or waxed layer, application of heat can actually make the water content evaporate without doing any further damage to the wooden furniture. For this:

• Set the iron to the lowest possible heat setting and turn it on.
• Turn off all steam functions in steam irons, as you do not want to expose this spot to more moisture.
• Place a clean cloth over the stain.
• Iron over the fabric gently and slowly, moving in only one direction.
• Avoid touching the hot iron directly to the wooden tabletop or surface.
• Lift the cloth to check the results after ironing over the spot for five times.
• Repeat as many times as needed.
• You can try to dry the moisture using a hairdryer as well.

Apply a Baking Soda Solution

There are countless uses of baking soda in a normal household and since it is a mild cleaning agent, it has fewer side effects. After making a solution with equal parts of baking soda and water, this is what you’ll do remove water rings on wooden surfaces:

• Apply the paste or solution to the spot or stain.
• Gently rub it in place in circular motions using a soft cloth.
• Continue rubbing until the water stain vanishes.
• Wipe up the surface with a clean cloth.

Opt for Oil-Based Products

Oil-based products should help you lift the stain before it penetrates too deeply into the wood. This includes products like mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, and butter. Here’s how to make the magic happen:

• Apply your chosen product onto the stain.
• Let it remain on the surface overnight.
• Wipe the surface to remove the oil residue in the morning and the stain should be gone.
• Apply more of the lubricant on the surface if the spot goes dry before it’s time to wipe it off.

How to Remove Dark Stains from Wood?

If the above techniques have not worked out or if your stain is darker in colour, try these methods to remove dark stains from wood:

Scrub with Toothpaste

When water has been left sitting on the wood’s surface long enough, it may penetrate directly into the wood, resulting in a much darker stain. Here’s how you can get rid of it using simple white toothpaste and a soft toothbrush:

• Apply a small dab of the toothpaste onto the stain.
• Avoid using gel-based or coloured toothpaste.
• Gently brush the watermark on the wood with a toothbrush.
• Do not apply excessive force as you may damage or scratch the polished surface.
• Continue to scrub gently until the stain is gone.
• You can use a soft cloth instead of a toothbrush as well.
• Wipe the surface clean with a fresh cloth once you’re done.

Combine Baking Soda with Vinegar

Dark stains on wooden surfaces can also be removed by combining two of the greatest household cleaners – baking soda and white vinegar. That’s right, the uses of white vinegar are just as versatile as those of baking soda, and together, they can help you get rid of tough stains. Here’s how:

• Create a paste of baking soda and white vinegar.
• You can also use lemon juice instead.
• Spread the paste over the stain.
• Use a sponge to gently rub the solution into the surface.
• Continue rubbing to make the stain lighter.
• Wipe the paste away when you’re done with a clean cloth and water.
• Repeat the process for stubborn stains.

Bleach It

Before you opt for this option, know that you might require a new coat of polish on top of the wood once the stain is gone, especially if the bleach is left on the wooden surface for too long. Here’s what to do:

• Dip a paintbrush in bleach and apply it to the stain.
• Please wear gloves to avoid damaging your skin in the process.
• Let the bleach dull the stain for a few hours.
• Wipe the bleach away with a wet sponge.
• The stain should be light enough to blend with the original colour of the wood.
• Apply a coat of vinegar to the spot to end the chemical process of bleaching.
• Reapply a coat of polish to the wood if needed once it is dry.

Now you know how to remove stains from wood surfaces. However, if the results are not to your satisfaction, consider staining light woods to a darker hue and bleaching dark woods to a lighter hue to make the marks less visible. Moreover, try to use coasters on all wood surfaces to avoid watermarks and stains.

Here are some things to consider when you choose furniture for high-use areas around the house, as well as some tips on how to refinish hardwood floors and how to protect wooden furniture from moisture that you can browse through, to help ensure a longer life for your wooden furniture.

Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more DIY tips and tricks on home décor. You can also send us your comments and suggestions on the post at blog@zameen.com.