How To Remove White Water Rings and Steam Stains from Wood

We've all been there. You or a guest places something wet on your wood furniture. You wince as you notice it but don't move it in time to prevent water damage. 

If that's happened to you let me tell you how easy it is to remove water rings and white stains from almost any wood surface. These tips also work to get a steam stain, like from hot pizza boxes, out of a wood table.

Not too long ago I was trying to get some cleaning done while prepping for guests and sprayed the mirror above my antique dresser with window cleaner. I put the bottle of cleaner down, wiped the mirror and walked away.

A few hours later one of my sons pointed out to me that the bottle was leaking and there was a puddle underneath it. When I lifted the bottle there was a large milky white stain from the excess moisture.

The first thing I did was to dry off the surface of the wood (blot, don't rub!) and then I waited.

Jump to:

• ⚙️ Quick Fix
• 🧂 Vegetable Oil and Salt
• 🫙 Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
• Other Cleaning Posts You May Like
• 🧲Iron Method
• 🪥 Mayonnaise and White toothpaste

⚙️ Quick Fix

My guests came and we all had a great time and then they left....and after they drove away I pulled out my secret weapon to remove water stains.

I grabbed a bottle of Lemon Oil {Holloway House} furniture polish and a clean cloth. 

I placed a small amount of Lemon Oil on a soft cloth and rubbed the stained area on my wood furniture.

The oil was rubbed into the white rings in a circular motion.

After waiting a few minutes I then buffed the area gently. The good news is that was all it took and the water stain was all but gone.

There is a very slight trace of it but I doubt anyone but me will notice it.

I also went ahead and rubbed the Lemon Oil on to the entire top of the dresser so that it all had the same tone and I was thrilled at how much better it looked. Some of the smaller scratches and the overall dullness were also gone.

Lemon oil is the best option I've found to restore wooden furniture but below are some different methods all of which work well and yield good results.

🧂 Vegetable Oil and Salt

This method works on white heat stains from a hot dish or a hot cup of coffee as well as white marks from liquids.

• Make a thin paste of salt and oil - roughly ¼ teaspoon of salt per tablespoon of oil.
• Wipe the paste on to the affected area with a soft cloth and buff lightly as you wipe it off.
• *Olive oil can be substituted for vegetable oil

🫙 Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip

Apply mayonnaise to white spots on the wooden surface and let sit for 1 hour. Wipe clean with a soft cloth or sponge.

🧲Iron Method

Lay a thick dry cloth or towel over the spot and press it with a warm iron until the white heat marks disappear.

🪥 Mayonnaise and White toothpaste

Rub heat rings with mayonnaise and white non-gel toothpaste. Wipe the area dry and polish the entire surface of your piece of furniture.

These are my top 4 picks for effective ways to remove unsightly heat stains and water marks from wood and they all work wonders.