How do I remove hot steam stains on wood table?

Lorraine
by Lorraine
I have white cloudy marks on oak table from heat- how do I remove them?
  12 answers
  • William William on Nov 03, 2016
    Mix 50/50 white toothpaste and baking soda, rub in. Do not use gel toothpaste for this. Rub in a paste of salt and olive oil, allow to sit for up to an hour. Wipe off. Rub in Miracle Whip (Mayonnaise) and wipe off after an hour. Mix 50/50 vinegar and olive oil and rub into the watermark. Try straight white toothpaste (non-gel). Rub in with the grain then wipe off. Make a paste with baking soda and a few drops of water. Rub in then wipe off. You can also try salt instead of baking soda. Rub some Vaseline (or other petroleum jelly) into the watermark and leave overnight. Wipe off in the morning.
  • Saundra Freeman Saundra Freeman on Nov 03, 2016
    mayonnaise will work most times
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 03, 2016
    Coconut oil.mayo or oil should work as well.
  • Judy Ackerman Judy Ackerman on Nov 05, 2016
    I use Vaseline. Rub a coat on the spots and leave for 24 hours. Repeat if needed.
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Nov 06, 2016
    You can follow up, with Old English.
  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jan 31, 2022

    Check those ideas here https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=watermark%20from%20wooden%20table&rs=typed&term_meta[]=watermark%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=from%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=wooden%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=table%7Ctyped

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 28, 2022

    Warm iron over a cloth shoud dry it out!

  • Darlene Petty Weinberg Darlene Petty Weinberg on Sep 02, 2022

    Thank you everyone for your responses.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jan 01, 2023

    I would use a warm iron (no steam) put a clean dry dishtowel over it and iron, check often.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 02, 2023

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KskAev-S1G8

  • Deb K Deb K on Dec 03, 2024

    Hi Lorraine, hope this helps you.

    1. Baking soda
    2. Baking soda's gentle abrasion can remove moisture trapped beneath the wood's surface. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste, and apply it to the stain with a microfiber cloth.
    3. Toothpaste
    4. White, non-gel toothpaste can remove water stains from the wood's surface. Apply the toothpaste to a cloth and rub it into the stain in a circular motion.
    5. Mayonnaise
    6. Apply mayonnaise to the stain with a clean rag and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe away the mayonnaise with a cloth.
    7. Vinegar and olive oil
    8. Mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil in a bowl. Apply the mixture to the stain with a clean cloth, wiping in the direction of the wood grain. The vinegar lifts the stain, while the olive oil polishes the wood.
    9. Vinegar
    10. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, or squeeze a lemon into a cup of water. Lightly scrub the solution into the stain, following the wood grain.

    When removing water stains from wood, it's important to be gentle so you don't scratch the finish. You should also avoid rubbing the mixture onto unstained areas of the wood.


    Here is also a video.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PQ-Oh9r0oo&t=11s