How To Remove Stains From Wood
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Wood furniture and hardwood floors can add timeless and elegant touches to your home. However, wood can stain easily—whether from an unattended spill, heat stains, or other accidents—making it essential to maintain your floors. Stains may also show up in different ways depending on the type of stain and how deep it is. For example, white stains are often surface-level water stains that you can easily remove, while dark stains are deeper and may require more work.
If you prefer do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement projects, here’s a step-by-step guide on removing stains from wood and preventing them going forward.
Project Overview
Here’s a quick overview before you begin the project:
- Completion time: Varies based on stain size
- Estimated cost: $1–$40*
- Skill level: Beginner
*Article prices based on WalMart.com and HomeDepot.com inventory
How To Remove Water Stains From Wood
Water stains on wood often appear as white or light-colored cloudy rings or splotches. Lighter coloring indicates that the moisture hasn’t set into the wood but instead is trapped within the wood’s finish. When moisture comes into prolonged contact with the finish—such as a cold glass of water without a coaster—it can cause white rings. Most surface-level water stains in wood are simple to remove and only require a few household items, which we’ll share below:
Tools:
- Clothes iron
- Towel
Estimated cost: Under $20
If you notice a white ring on a wood table or a light-colored stain on your hardwood floor, grab a towel or rag to remove excess moisture and clean the area before attempting to remove the stain. Plug in your clothes iron, set it to the lowest heat setting, and cover the stain with a dry towel. Run the hot iron over the towel several times until the stain disappears. This method only works on stains that have appeared within the past few days.
Tools:
- Cloth or towel
- Mayonnaise
Estimated cost: Under $5
The oil in mayonnaise can penetrate the wood’s surface and displace the moisture in a new water stain. Dip the end of a clean, soft cloth into the mayonnaise and apply it to the stained area. Gently rub the mayonnaise into the stain and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe away the remaining mayonnaise and clean it with a damp cloth or towel.
Tools:
- Cloth or towel
- Non-whitening, non-gel toothpaste
Estimated cost: $5
Not only can toothpaste remove stains from teeth, but also it can remove water stains from wood. Dab some non-whitening, non-gel toothpaste on a clean cloth and gently rub the toothpaste into the stain. Leave it for one minute before wiping it away. If the stain is still there, repeat the process. Don’t scrub too hard, and go with the wood grain.
How To Remove Heat Stains From Wood
Placing a hot object on a wooden surface can cause the wood to expand and absorb moisture. If left untreated, the moisture can penetrate and discolor the wood. Once the wood cools, the pores reseal, leaving a hazy white heat mark behind. Heat can stain most types of wood, even sealed surfaces. It’s best to assume any hot item can stain your wood furniture or hardwood flooring. Check out our guidance below to find out the best tools for removing heat stains from wood:
Tools:
- Blow-dryer
Estimated cost: $10–$25
Applying more heat can open the wood’s pores and help remove the trapped moisture. First, turn your hairdryer on to its lowest heat setting. Then, hold the hairdryer several inches away from the wood’s surface and move it from side to side. Stains closer to the surface should begin to fade after a minute or two, but if you don’t notice any changes, increase the temperature setting and continue to move the hairdryer over the stain for several more minutes.
Tools:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Olive oil
- Wood polish
Estimated cost: Under $10
Both olive oil and vinegar can penetrate the wood’s surface to remove heat stains. Mix equal parts olive oil and distilled white vinegar, and use a paintbrush or rag to apply the mixture to the stain. Let it sit for about an hour before checking whether it worked. Wipe the surface, dry it, and apply furniture polish to the wood.
Tools:
- Cloth or towel
- Petroleum jelly
Estimated cost: Under $5
Similar to mayonnaise, petroleum jelly can remove heat stains from wood. Dip a clean cloth or paper towel into the petroleum jelly and apply it to the stain. Gently rub the jelly into the stain and let it sit for a few hours. Wipe away the remaining jelly and clean the area with a damp cloth or towel.
How To Remove Dark Stains From Wood
Oxidation and old water stains can create dark stains on furniture and wood floors. Darker stains have set into the wood and are much more difficult to remove. Some household products may remove the marks, but if that doesn’t work, you may have to use a sander or grit sandpaper to sand the wood surface and eliminate the old stain. Here are some tools you might need to remove dark stains from wood:
Tools:
- Cloth
- 3% Hydrogen peroxide
Estimated cost: Under $5
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural cleaner and whitener that works well for stain removal. Stronger formulas can discolor wood if left sitting for too long, so only use over-the-counter 3% hydrogen peroxide and be mindful of how the stain remover reacts with the wood.
Soak the end of a damp cloth in hydrogen peroxide. Press the cloth into the stain to allow the hydrogen peroxide to soak into the wood. Leave the cloth on the stain overnight. In the morning, remove the cloth and wipe the area with a clean damp cloth. Repeat this process once the wood is dry if the stain remains.
Tools:
- 100-grit sandpaper
- 150-grit sandpaper
- Superfine steel wool
- Varnish
- Wood polish
Estimated cost: $30–$40
Sand the stain with 100-grit sandpaper and blend the edges with 150-grit sandpaper. Work with the grain of the wood. Apply several coats of varnish that match the color of the finish. Blend the surrounding wood using superfine steel wool and finish by buffing the area with high-quality wood polish. You can find all these items at The Home Depot if you don’t have them at home.
Tools:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
Estimated cost: Under $5
White vinegar is an acidic formula that can safely remove stubborn stains from wood. Soak several paper towels in white vinegar and place them over the stain. Let the towels sit on the stain for 30 minutes, and then use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the area clean. Let the wood dry for 30 minutes. If that doesn’t work, apply baking soda to the mixture and scrub it into the wood. Afterward, clean the wood with a cloth and allow it to dry.
Safety Considerations
Most of these methods use natural household products and don’t require any safety precautions. However, methods that use wood bleach, mineral spirits, or other chemical hardwood floor cleaners will need ventilation and safety gear, such as rubber gloves and eye protection.
Preventing Wood Stains
There are several ways to prevent wood stains. Taking preventive measures is worth the effort because stain removal can be difficult and time-consuming. Here are simple ways to help prevent wood stains:
- Coasters: Always use a coaster when placing a hot or cold drink on a wooden surface.
- Furniture polish: Polish typically contains oils, waxes, and sometimes silicone, which can create a barrier on the wood’s surface. However, this barrier is usually not completely waterproof and only temporary.
- Placemats: Use placements to prevent hot plates from staining your wood table.
- Protective finish: Lacquer, polyurethane, and varnish are protective finishes that can prevent water rings from forming on wooden tables.
- Trivets: If you have a wood kitchen countertop, use trivets under warm pots and pans before putting them down.
Our Conclusion
From common household items to specialized cleaners, various methods exist for stain removal. Removing stains isn’t difficult, but taking quick action can save you additional time and money. To prevent new stains from forming, use coasters and placemats for hot and cold items, and seal and waterproof your wood to prevent new stains from appearing on your floors or furniture.
FAQ About Removing Stains From Wood
Will vinegar remove wood stains?
Vinegar is a natural, safe cleaner that you can use to remove stains on your wood furniture or hardwood floors. Use white vinegar or a combination of vinegar and olive oil to penetrate the wood’s surface and remove the stain.
What is the best stain remover for wood?
The best stain remover for wood is heat, but some common household items will also work. You can use a blow-dryer or clothes iron to remove moisture from a new stain. White vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and mayonnaise are also effective stain-removal solutions.
What is the easiest way to remove stains from wood?
Applying heat is the easiest way to remove stains from wood without stripping and refinishing it. The best way to remove older stains is to use sandpaper to remove the stain and then apply wood varnish.
Can you remove dried stains from wood?
There are multiple methods to remove dried stains from wood. Hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar are natural stain removers. If that doesn’t work, you may need sandpaper to remove the stain completely.
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