Moisten a soft rag with mineral spirits
Spilled water or a wet glass can leave a
white stain on wood furniture. Often,
complete stripping and refinishing are the
only solution. But there are two solvents
that can sometimes remove water marks in
a few minutes without harming the finish.
Both solvents give off nasty fumes, so
work outside in a well-ventilated area. If
you think the piece might be especially
old or valuable, consult an antiques dealer
before trying these remedies.
First, rub the stain with a soft rag dipped
in mineral spirits. If the original finish has
a coating of wax over it, there’s a good
chance that only the wax has turned white.
Mineral spirits removes wax without
harming the underlying finish. Have
patience; the mineral spirits may take a
few minutes to soften the wax. If the stain
disappears but leaves the rubbed area
looking dull, clean the entire surface with
mineral spirits and apply a new coat of
furniture wax.
If mineral spirits doesn’t work, gently
wipe the stain using a soft rag lightly
dampened with denatured alcohol. Alcohol
can damage some finishes, so test it on
an inconspicuous spot first. Stop every
minute or so to examine the finish to make
sure you’re not damaging it. Again, have
patience. Sometimes alcohol can draw out
moisture that’s trapped in the finish, but it
works slowly. If you don’t see any results
after five minutes, refinishing is the only way to remove the mark.
