3 ways to remove rings and stains from wood furniture

Wood is easily damaged by water, leaving behind unfortunate marks. Remove rings from wood and keep it looking new using these three methods.

No matter how hard we try to take care of wood furniture by using coasters, polishing it and warning our kids to be careful, stains are still common. It might make you panic to see that a hot coffee cup or icy glass has left a ring on your favourite piece of furniture, but don't fret—you probably don't have to throw the whole piece away. There are some simple remedies for dealing with wood stains that can help salvage your furniture. Here are some of the best ways to get your wood back in good shape again.

Most light-coloured stains mean the stain hasn't gotten through too much of the wood and is only marring the surface. This means that you might be able to remove it by getting rid of the watermark with an oily substance. Try rubbing the area with a furniture polish that is oil-based. You can also try using mayonnaise or petroleum jelly to penetrate the surface and displace the water with oil.

Another great way to try to remove rings from wood is by using toothpaste that has a gritty texture. Sometimes the abrasive effect will help clear up the stain. If the toothpaste doesn't work, try combining it with a little baking soda. This makes it even more abrasive and can get the stain to disappear. However, don't rub the wood too hard—you don't want to end up scratching the surface.

If the stain is dark-coloured, that means the stain has gotten through the surface and into the deeper layers of the wood. These stains are a little harder to remove and involve removing the finish. If you are working with an antique piece, be aware that refinishing will lower the value of the piece. First you have to sand the finish off the wood and use a brush to apply bleach onto the stain. Let it sit for a few hours and then repeat before letting the wood dry overnight. Once the furniture is fully dry, you can apply varnish and your furniture should look as good as new.

Wood stains may cause panic when they appear on beloved furniture, but with a bit of elbow grease and the right strategy, they might just disappear in no time.