Quick Fixes for Wood Furniture Stains
For a return on your investment, there’s no substitute for wood furniture. Cherry, maple and oak are the most durable, although many people like the look of pine, a softer wood that’s susceptible to nicks, dents and scratches. Stay away from pressboard furniture. It’s more unstable than wood, and the piece will have a much […]
By The Editors of Yankee Magazine|Jun 21 2012|
For a return on your investment, there’s no substitute for wood furniture. Cherry, maple and oak are the most durable, although many people like the look of pine, a softer wood that’s susceptible to nicks, dents and scratches. Stay away from pressboard furniture. It’s more unstable than wood, and the piece will have a much shorter life, which negates its lower price. Keep your furniture looking great by removing stains from the wood using these techniques.
Remove Wood Furniture Stains
- Water Marks or Rings: Cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter, press down with a warm iron, and repeat. You can also try the mayonnaise method.
- White Marks: Rub lightly with ashes mixed with lemon juice. Remove any excess from wood with polish.
- Milk Stains: Rub stain with a cloth dampened with household ammonia.
- Heat Marks: Dampen a cloth with mineral spirits and polish lightly with the grain. Dry the surface of the wood and buff.
- Stuck Paper: Soak the area with vegetable oil or olive oil, let sit a few minutes and rub along the wood grain with a coarse towel or cheesecloth. Dry and finish with polish.
- Gum: Hold an ice cube on the gum until it hardens. Use an old credit card to crack it off the surface, then polish the wood.
