As the wood reheats, its pores will re-expand and the hair dryer will evaporate the stain-causing moisture.
Once the stain begins to lift, stop increasing the iron’s heat. This method may take around 10 minutes depending on the severity and size of the stain.
Repeat this process until the stain is completely lifted out of the wood. Once it’s gone, wipe the table dry with a clean cloth. Make sure to use non-gel toothpaste since it’s the least abrasive type. Look for the simplest toothpaste with the fewest ingredients you can find.
Once the stain is gone, wipe down the table with a damp cloth to remove excess mayo or jelly. For old, stubborn stains, let the mayo or jelly sit for several hours (or even overnight if needed). Repeat this process until the stain is fully gone.
Try mixing your oil with a few drops of liquid dish soap for a stronger clean. Rub with a light touch to avoid damaging the finish of the wood. If you notice little scratches, buff out the spot afterward to restore the finish. [7] X Research source Alternatively, try vegetable or lemon oil.
Repeat as much as needed to remove the stain fully. A combination of vinegar and oil is thicker and more effective than plain vinegar by itself (although it is possible to lift the stain without oil). [9] X Research source Keep distilled, white vinegar handy in your cleaning supplies cabinet—it’s useful for removing a variety of stains from lots of different surfaces!
Salt is a natural abrasive that will buff the whiteness out as well as absorb the moisture that caused the stain in the first place. Consider adding some furniture polish to the area afterward to restore the shine.
Car wax takes 1 to 24 hours to dry depending on the type of wax, the temperature and humidity, and the thickness of the wax layer. If you’re hesitant about using car wax on your interior furniture, try substituting furniture polish.
Sand very lightly to remove as little of the wood or finish as possible. Most tabletop veneers are only about 1/40 in (0. 6 mm) thick. [15] X Research source Try a cabinet scraper instead of sandpaper. It won’t get plugged up with dust like sandpaper will, so it may save some time and money. [16] X Research source Evaluate the wood after the stain is gone. You may need to buff out sand marks or apply a new layer of varnish or finish to restore the area. Sandpaper or scrapers give you more finesse and control over how much you remove than a chemical remover does.
