If you have a wooden table at home, you know how easy it is to leave a white mark behind accidentally.
Whether it’s from a recently placed hot cup of coffee or a glass of ice-cold water sitting for too long, all it takes is one wrong move, and you’re left with a white ring on your wood table.
If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry. You can actually remove white spots on wooden tables with some common household products.
How Do You Remove White Spots on Wooden Table?
To remove white heat rings or water stains from wood furniture, mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil and apply it with a soft cloth while moving with the wood grain. Use another clean, soft cloth to shine it up.
You can also apply heat, use mayonnaise or rub with toothpaste to eliminate white spots.
Read on to discover more on how to remove heat stains from wood.
What causes white spots on furniture?
Moisture
If your table has been exposed to moisture, it may have white stains caused by water damage. These stains are called “blooms” and can be fixed by applying heat to the area with an iron set on its lowest setting or a hairdryer.
Damage caused by the minerals found in water
But sometimes, the white spots are not caused by water, so wiping up or applying heat doesn’t completely eliminate them. Water contains minerals like calcium, lime, and iron that react with the natural tannins in the wood, causing white spots or rings that are difficult to get rid of.
Chemical Reactions triggered by heat
Hot cups or glasses can also cause white spots on furniture. The heat from the drink triggers a chemical reaction in the finish. The moisture in the wood underneath the finish rises to the surface, and when it dries, it leaves a white spot.
Removing these marks can be done easily with some common household products.
Different Ways to Remove White Spots on Wooden Furniture
Using Vinegar
Step 1: Place newspaper under the table to protect the floor from spills.
Step 2: Pour 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle. Mist the area where the white ring appears and allow it to sit for about two minutes.
Step 3: Scrub at the white mark with a toothbrush and continue spraying with vinegar if you need to keep the area damp.
Step 4: Wipe up any excess liquid with a rag or paper towels after you finish scrubbing.
Lastly, rub your hand across the area where you scrubbed at the white mark to see if it has faded or disappeared entirely. If not, repeat Steps 2 through 4 until it disappears.
Using Mayonnaise
Step 1: Clean and dry the wood surface.
Step 2: Apply mayonnaise to the white mark with a cotton cloth and rub it into the discolored area.
Step 3: Let the mayonnaise sit for several minutes, then wipe off any residue with a clean cloth. Repeat if needed.
Step 4: If using mayonnaise doesn’t work, try toothpaste instead. Spread toothpaste over the stain and let it sit for several minutes, then wipe off any residue with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary
Using Toothpaste
Step 1: Rub the white spot with toothpaste.
Step 2: Put a little bit of toothpaste on your finger, and rub it over the white mark until it disappears.
Step 3: Wipe the table clean with a damp cloth.
Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the spot disappears
After the white spot has gone away, dry the table completely with a soft, clean cloth.
Ironing/Steaming
Try ironing or steaming out the water stain. Heat can help draw out moisture from deeper within the wood and raise the wood grain so that the surface looks even again.
For this method:
Step 1: Use a hairdryer or clothes iron to heat the affected area for several minutes until it feels warm or hot.
Step 2: Take a slightly damp cloth and lay it over the spot.
Step 3: Use an iron set on low heat (or on steam) and move it over the damp cloth for about 30 seconds until you’ve covered the entire stained area. Do not leave the iron on one spot for too long, or you could burn your table.
Step 4: Wipe away any residue with another dry cloth.
If possible, air-dry your furniture outside in direct sunlight for several hours. Place a plastic tarp under your table if there’s still some moisture left inside that could seep through.
Keep checking to see if the water stain has lifted before reapplying heat.
Important Considerations When Removing White Spots on Furniture
There are a few different ways to remove white spots from wood furniture.
The method you use will depend on several things:
● The cause of the white spot,
The cause of the white spot determines the removal method to use. For instance, heating is the best solution for white spots due to moisture damage — for chemical rings or heat marks, you can rub with mayonnaise or use toothpaste.
● The type of finish on your wood furniture
The method to get rid of the white spots will vary depending on the cause and the finish type. For example, if you have a matte finish, you can fix it by applying some heat with an iron. But if it’s shiny, you’ll need to use a different method.
● How deep the stain is
For deeper stains, you will need to strip off some of the finish before reapplying it to make it even with the rest of your furniture.
Final Thoughts
Whatever the cause of the unsightly spots, there are several ways to remove them. The method that works best for you will depend on what caused them and the type of finish on your wood furniture.
It’s important to test each treatment in a small area first to ensure it won’t damage the finish. If it doesn’t work, keep trying until you find one that does.
