If the stain appears white, there’s a good chance you could remove it.
The whitened area indicates that the water has only seeped into the wax or polyurethane finish on the wood.
Dark water stains are more difficult.
The Spruce / Hilary Allison
The moisture has penetrated the finish and seeped into the wood, causing it to darken.
With some elbow grease and patience, though, it is possible to remove both types of water stains.
Here are tips and techniques for restoring your wood surface to its former beauty.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
A smooth, clean surface will make stain removal much easier and improve your chances of success.
This is good news because these stains are easier to remove than their darker counterparts.
Apply Mineral Oil
Pour a generous amount of mineral oil onto a soft cloth.
Rub the white mark with the cloth, working with the grain of the wood.
Let the oil remain on the wood overnight.
If the stain remains, move to the next step.
Petroleum jelly also works well in a pinch.
Apply Mineral Spirits
Wait a few minutes, and the stain should disappear.
Finish by buffing the area with a clean, dry cloth.
For hydrogen peroxide, begin with a 1:1 dilution of hydrogen peroxide and water.
If the stain is still present, try the chlorine bleach method.
Finally, use a good wood polish tomake your wood shineagain.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
