Using Mild Abrasives (Toothpaste/Baking Soda/Salt)
Buff out water stains on wood with a mild abrasive. Using a non-gel (plain white) toothpaste, baking soda paste or salt paste (adding a few drops of water to form the pastes), gently rub the mixture into the stain. Be sure to go along the grain of the wood.
Like toothpaste, you can clean with baking soda to remove water marks from wood. 'Simply make a paste from two parts baking soda to one part water and apply with a microfiber cloth (you can buy these from Amazon). Rub the baking soda mix over the water mark gently until it disappears.
White spots:
Spills and condensation from glasses can leave permanent white spots or rings on these finishes. To remove these white spots, first try polishing the surface with liquid furniture polish; buff the surface firmly. If this doesn't work, lightly wipe the stained surface with denatured alcohol.
White stains in the shape of rings are typically caused by the bottoms of hot plates or cold glasses and mugs resting directly in the wood surface. Condensed water or steam pushes into the wood's finish causing the clear layer to become whitish.
“If it's a black ring or black stain, the water has penetrated through the finish and actually gone into the pores of the wood and caused a chemical reaction. That's bad news.” The good news: both kinds of stains can be removed.
Make a paste of white, non-gel toothpaste and baking soda. Apply the mixture using either a soft cloth or an old toothbrush. Gently rub the spot in a circular motion until it disappears. Being gentle is most important here — you can remove or scratch your furniture's finish if you apply too much pressure.
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. This guide will guide you through the process of removing these stains.
Use a Lubricant
Yes Windex! The surfactants help to reduce the surface tension between the ring and the skin, making the ring easier to maneuver off of the finger.
Generally, a light, cloudy mark will dry on its own. Brister says that's because a contemporary finish is less permeable than the older one on grandma's table. Water can and may evaporate, and residual marks can even be polished out.
Removing water stains from unfinished wooden floors and furniture is the easiest scenario. All you need to do is take some sandpaper and gently sand the stained area. You can also apply some gentle dish cleaning soap and water with a cloth to the stain.
WD-40 is a lubricant for things like squeaky doors and rusty hinges, so it's made with petroleum oil. Using this on wood can darken the surface—giving the appearance that it has lifted a light stain—but it can't actually remove water stains.
Mayonnaise can work well to remove an old white stain on wood. When you apply mayonnaise over the water stain, and allow it to sit on the spot for a few hours, the oil in the mayonnaise will help remove the moisture and the cloudiness that accompanies it.
Surfaces that Should Not Be Cleaned with Vinegar
hardwood floors, wood furniture, and other word surfaces – due to its acidic nature, vinegar can damage hardwood floor finishes, causing them to look dingy. Use either a cleaner specifically made for hardwood floors or a mix of soap and water.
Lemon or vinegar
The simplest way to remove a water stain is by rubbing it with lemon water or vinegar. Mix equal parts vinegar and water; or squeeze one lemon into a cup of water. Then, lightly scrub the solution over the stain, moving in the direction of the wood grain.
The most common method for getting water stains out of quality wooden furniture is by using baking soda. This is most effective with stains that have just occurred, so old water rings may not budge, but a new one will disappear.
Finish by buffing with quality wood polish. Wearing rubber gloves, dip a brush into a bowl of bleach and apply it lightly to the stained area. Allow the bleach to sit for a few hours as the stain fades to its original color.
hazy white stains are caused by moisture trapped between the finish on your table, and the wood itself. They are caused by water or condensation sitting directly on the wood.