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How to Fix a Water-Stained Table

Water stains are both the most common and the most annoying affliction for finished furniture, and while prevention is the best medicine, we all forget to use a coaster sometimes. If you have dried water stains or rings on a finished table, a few techniques for removing them without refinishing can be tried, and these fixes use common household materials.

Things You'll Need

  • Old fashioned toothpaste (not gel)
  • Mayonnaise
  • Baking soda
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Soft cloth
  • Lemon oil
  • Furniture polish
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Instructions

  1. Toothpaste

    • 1

      Make sure that the stain is completely dry.

    • 2

      Apply the toothpaste to the stain and let it sit for a couple of minutes.

    • 3

      Scrub it in along the outline of the stain with the toothbrush.

    • 4

      Wipe clean with a damp cloth, and apply a little lemon oil and/or furniture polish to bring back the shine.

    Mayonnaise

    • 5

      Make sure that the stain is completely dry.

    • 6

      Apply the mayonnaise directly to the stain and allow it to sit overnight.

    • 7

      Wipe clean with a damp cloth, and apply a little lemon oil and/or furniture polish to bring back the shine.

    Baking Soda

    • 8

      Mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part water in a cup or small container to make a thick paste.

    • 9

      Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for a couple of minutes.

    • 10

      Scrub it in along the outline of the stain with the toothbrush.

    • 11

      Wipe clean with a damp cloth, and apply a little lemon oil and/or furniture polish to bring back the shine.