You can be as vigilant as you’d like about using coasters in your home, but all it takes is one clueless guest setting their glass down on a table to create a dreaded ring on your beautiful wood furniture. Before scrubbing wildly, throwing our your furniture, or going on a witch hunt to track down the offending party, you should know that there are some very simple ways to get white moisture rings out of your wood furniture.
A white ring left by a wet glass indicates that moisture has made its way into the finish of the wood. This also means that there’s still a good chance you’ll be able to salvage the wood. The most effective method for getting rid of the ring is to release the moisture itself from the finish. Most people try to use oils or other polishes to buff out the ring, but this only results in sealing the moisture within the finish. What you should do instead is use a hair dryer on a low heat setting to lift the moisture. Gently sweep the hair dryer over the affected area and watch as the moisture evaporates off of the table. This can also result in slightly melting the finish, so be prepared to buff the area with a soft rag right after the ring disappears!
If you don’t have a hair dryer then you can also try using toothpaste, mayonnaise, or baking soda instead. These methods might sound a little wacky, but they’ve been proven to work! If you decide to use toothpaste then the simpler the type the better. Don’t use a gel or anything that’s too smooth. A standard, gritty paste works best. Apply it to the ring, wait a few minutes, and then gently rub it in following the circle of the stain. You should see results immediately. Mayo works similarly. Apply the mayo, let it sit for a few hours (or even overnight) and then simply wipe it away! For baking soda and water, mix a two-to-one ratio in a bowl and use a cloth to rub the mixture into the stain. The results are not as dramatic as the other methods, but can still save the day.
These methods will all help you save your wood furniture from the evils of moisture rings, but there is a point of no return. If you have a black stain then it means the water has hit the wood and the furniture will need to be stripped to save it. As always, the best way to keep your furniture looking perfect is to not let the stains happen at all! But at least you now know how to fix the problem if it happens!
Read the full article here: How to Remove Water Rings From Wood Tables