Richard asked: How do I remove white watermarks from wood furniture? A glass with water was on the table without a coaster, resulting in a white mark that is on the furniture.
Table of Contents:
You set down your drink or place the hot pizza box directly on the table and before you know it, you’re left with a white reminder mark. White marks on the finish of a wooden piece of furniture can be created from both heat and moisture. However, removing them uses the same process. Some of the methods below work better on fresh marks, but it is possible to remove marks that have been there for years. Try one or try them all, it’s virtually guaranteed that one of them will remove the marks and restore the beautiful finish on your wooden table.
Mayo and Ash Method
You Will Need:
- Mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
- Ashes (baking soda will work if ashes are not available)
- Hair dryer
- Soft cloths
Steps to Remove the Watermark:
- Gather all of your supplies and get ready to scrub!
- Put a small amount of mayonnaise and ashes onto the whitened area.
- Rub the two products onto the white area with a soft cloth, following the grain of the wood.
- As you are rubbing the area, use a hairdryer to add heat.
- When the mark is removed, wipe away any remaining mayo and ashes with a clean cloth.
Wax Paper Method
You Will Need:
- Wax paper
- Iron
- Soft cloth or towel
Steps to Remove the Watermark:
- Preheat the iron to a low heat/warming setting with NO steam.
- Place wax paper over the are with the white mark
- Cover the wax paper with a towel.
- Place the iron over the area for a few seconds a time. Keep the iron moving to avoid creating a new heat mark.
- Repeat with a fresh piece of waxed paper until the mark is removed.
Iron Method
You Will Need:
- Cotton cloth (a white t-shirt works well)
- Iron
Steps to Remove the Watermark:
- Preheat the iron to a warm setting (start lower and work your way up as starting with too much heat can lead to additional damage).
- Place the cotton cloth over the marked area.
- Move the iron over the cotton cloth WITH steam. Keep the iron moving at all times to avoid applying too much heat in one spot.
- Repeat until the mark is removed.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- There are also commercial removers such as Jasco White Ring Remover available to remove marks safely from most finishes. Other white ring removers can be found at hardware and home improvement stores.
- If the watermark is fresh, simply dry the area quickly with a hairdryer to avoid leaving a mark.
- When heating the area with the hairdryer, keep it moving to avoid overheating the varnish.
