How to fix water damage on a wood dresser?

Author: Damian Marquardt Sr.  |  Last update: Saturday, July 5, 2025

Remove all swollen wood, bulging paint, and water stains with sandpaper or a putty knife. Clean the surface with a brush and apply wood filler. Wait for it to cure. Sand the new surface until it's even and apply furniture oil to finish.

Can water damaged wood be repaired?

Wood can recover from water damage to some extent. Immediate action, like drying the wood thoroughly, addressing moisture sources, and applying appropriate treatments, can mitigate damage.

Can water damaged furniture be restored?

To restore water-damaged wood furniture, first dry the piece thoroughly. Light water stains can be removed with a mixture of baking soda and water, while deeper damage may require sanding and refinishing. For severely warped wood, replacement or professional repair may be needed.

Is wood furniture ruined if it gets wet?

How water damages wooden furniture? Wood is a natural material and can be susceptible to mold and rot when exposed to water or too much moisture without protection. Wood can swell and move from increased moisture content. There are also instances where wooden furniture can get watermarks caused by the wood finish.

How to fix water stains on a wood dresser?

You'll make a paste with baking soda and water, and apply it to a microfiber cloth, then rub the affected area for -- count it -- five to 10 minutes, following the wood grain and keeping to only the stained areas. Then wipe up residue or any remaining moisture with a dry cloth, and reseal with furniture wax.

How to Fix Bubbly Veneer on Furniture Caused By Water Damage! Easy Tutorial

How do you fix a water damaged wood dresser?

Remove all swollen wood, bulging paint, and water stains with sandpaper or a putty knife. Clean the surface with a brush and apply wood filler. Wait for it to cure. Sand the new surface until it's even and apply furniture oil to finish.

Are water stains on wood permanent?

Brian Bennett is a former senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET. Nothing ruins the luster of wood furniture quite like a watermark. Watermarks -- or water stains -- are often caused by cold glasses, spills, or hot dishes places directly on the wood. Luckily, though, they aren't always permanent.

How to reverse wood swelling?

How to Fix Water Damaged Swollen Wood Furniture
  1. Let Your Furniture Dry Out. Allow your water-damaged piece of furniture to dry before attempting to repair it. ...
  2. Sand the Wood & Apply Furniture Oil. Use sandpaper with a hand-sanding tool or your hand to rub your furniture piece. ...
  3. Use an Iron.

How do you put moisture back in wood furniture?

How To: Moisturize Your Furniture
  1. Pour Furniture Tonic Into A Cup.
  2. Dip Brush Into Furniture Tonic.
  3. Began Painting The Furniture Tonic Onto The Piece.
  4. Let Dry And See If You Need A Second Coat (this is your choice!)

How to salvage flooded furniture?

The most effective way to salvage fabric furniture is by using hot water and a pressure washer. Doing so kills bacteria and rids your items of contaminated and smelly water. After pressure treatment, dry with fans and a dehumidifier. This process may take up to 48 hours.

How to dry out wet wood furniture?

The most important thing to do is allow the furniture to dry completely. You can do this by leaving it out in the sun or in a well-ventilated area with electric fans blowing on it. Another way to dry the wood is by ironing it or removing the water air bubbles with a needle or printer.

Can you fix water damaged hardwood?

In some instances, a straightforward refinishing of the hardwood floors may suffice. Other scenarios may require patching to replace the damaged hardwood boards before refinishing. In the most severe cases, the removal and replacement of the entire hardwood floor may be necessary.

How to fix swollen wooden drawers?

Removing the excess moisture from the wood should help the drawer shrink enough to be coaxed open. One of the easiest ways to dehumidify your drawer is to run a dehumidifier next to them for a while. Usually, a few hours should do the trick, but if that fails, use a hair dryer on low heat for several minutes.

How to fix water damaged wood without replacing it?

Sanding to smooth uneven areas. Applying a stain for colour restoration or change. Sealing with a protective finish like polyurethane or varnish. Applying a wood preservative for wood that is water damaged but structurally necessary to maintain.

What does water damage look like on wood?

Staining. The most apparent impact of water damage is when wood goes through color changes. The edges of the panel might become a darker shade, or several panels in one particular area might become darker. The cause of this is mold infestation.

Will water damaged wood dry out?

Will water-damaged wood dry out on its own? Water-damaged wood can partially dry out on its own, but this doesn't guarantee a full recovery. It may warp, swell, or develop mold if not properly addressed.

Can water-damaged wood furniture be repaired?

If the damage is extensive, it may be necessary to replace some of the damaged boards. However, it is often possible to repair water-damaged wood furniture with some time and effort.

What draws moisture out of wood?

After thoroughly towel drying the floor, add absorbent material like sawdust, baking soda, or kitty litter. Spread a generous amount of the material over the affected area and let it sit overnight. The absorbent material helps to draw out any remaining moisture from the wood and makes it easier to dry.

What is the best oil for restoring wood?

4 of The Best Oils to Use for Wood Furniture
  • Lemon Oil. If you have hardwood furniture, this is probably the most important oil you should try using. ...
  • Lavender Oil. Just a few drops of lavender oil added to your cleaning mixture can have your furniture looking and smelling like new. ...
  • Mineral Oil. ...
  • Tung Oil. ...
  • Conclusion.

How to fix a water damaged dresser top?

And proven to work.
  1. Let it Be! The first thing to try is to let your furniture dry naturally. ...
  2. Sand it. The next thing you want to do is sand the surface of the water damaged furniture. ...
  3. Oil it. When the surface is smooth and more importantly even, you are ready for the next step. ...
  4. Iron it. ...
  5. Get Help.

Will swollen wood go back to normal?

Yes, a swollen door will go back to normal. The swelling is caused by humidity and temperature changes, which cause the wood to expand and contract.

How do you remove water damage from wood?

Water damage can be removed with little or no sanding by using oxalic acid, which is easy to find in most stores in the cleaning aisle under the name Bar Keeper's Friend. I typically use oxalic acid with a bit of water to make a paste, then scrub the wood, wipe it clean, and then let it dry.

Does WD-40 remove water stains on wood?

WD-40 has been advertised as a method for removing water stains from wood, but unfortunately, it doesn't work most of the time. WD-40 is a lubricant for things like squeaky doors and rusty hinges, so it's made with petroleum oil.

How does vaseline remove water stains from wood?

Using a microfibre cloth, apply a thin layer of vaseline to the water-stained area. Let it sit overnight to lightly penetrate the wood finish, and replace the water stain with the oil from the jelly. The next morning, you can wipe away the jelly with a new clean cloth.

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