How To Remove Old Water Stains From Wood

Water stains and watermarks are often caused by spills, wet glasses, cold cups, or hot cups being placed on a wooden surface. In rare circumstances, water stains can be caused by using unsuitable cleaning products. Coffee tables and dining room tables are the most prone to being affected, so it’s important to choose the right finish for these surfaces.

Thankfully, old water stains on wood aren’t permanent and can easily be removed. You can sometimes use household products as a wood stain remover, but if your stains are particularly stubborn, it’s best to renew the finish for a clean, good-as-new result. 

There are two types of water stains: light and dark. Light stains are the easiest to fix. These usually appear in a white or lightly faded color. Keep reading to learn how to remove old water stains and coffee rings from wood, including dark or black stains.

Can Old Water Stains Be Removed?

Yes, all water stains can be removed from wood products, but how easy it is depends on the type of stain and how old it is. New stains generally appear light in color, like a white ring. These are easy to fix, as the light color means the stain has only marked the wood’s finish.

Darker stains are usually older and harder to remove. You’ll know if a stain is old as it’ll appear as a black ring or a very dark patch across the wood. Dark stains mean the water has penetrated the wood beneath the finish. You can try using household items to remove old dark water stains, but you may need to refinish the wood completely to get rid of them.

How Do You Remove Old Dark Water Stains From Wood?

Several methods exist for removing new watermarks or old, dark water stains from wood. Most ways of removing water stains from wood involve using household products, like vinegar and mayonnaise. However, despite these hacks working for many people, they won’t work on all stains or wood types. Some old water stains can deeply penetrate the surface, so while it’s worth trying them out, be mindful that it may not fix the problem.

1. Steam with an iron

You can sometimes get rid of new or white water rings from wood using an iron. This should evaporate the moisture from within the table and remove the stain. Here’s what you’ll need:

• An iron
• A clean cotton cloth or plain t-shirt

First, remove all the water from the iron. This will remove the risk of further water stains. Next, set the iron to a low temperature and lay the cotton cloth/plain t-shirt over the water stain. When warm, rest the iron on top of the cloth for several minutes, being careful not to burn the cloth. Repeat 3-5 times until the stain is removed. Stop and try another method if it doesn’t work after several attempts.

2. Use an olive oil and vinegar mix

Vinegar is slightly corrosive, so it can sometimes help remove stains from wood. When you combine vinegar with olive oil, the oil acts as a polish to prevent the wood from becoming damaged. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A small bowl or cup
• White vinegar
• Olive oil
• A dry cloth
• A sponge or paper towel
• Furniture polish
• A lint-free cloth

Mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil in a small bowl or cup. Once mixed, apply the solution to the water stain using a clean cloth. Gently rub the stain in a circular motion for several minutes until the stain is gone. Once removed, use a dry sponge or paper towel to remove the mixture. Clean the wood with furniture polish and a lint-free cloth to remove all remnants.  

3. Apply mayonnaise

Instead of mixing your own solution of vinegar and olive oil, you can use mayonnaise, since it contains similar ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Mayonnaise at room temperature
• A paper towel
• Clean cloth
• Furniture polish
• A lint-free cloth

Provided your mayonnaise is at room temperature, you can start using it immediately. If your mayonnaise has been kept in the refrigerator, leave it in a room for several hours until it cools down before applying it to wood furniture. Using a paper towel, dab a generous amount of mayonnaise around the entire stain.

Place another clean paper towel on top of the stain and leave for a few hours or overnight, keeping the surface away from pets. After 2-24 hours, remove the paper towel and clean the mayonnaise with a cloth. Use furniture polish and a lint-free cloth to remove all remaining residue.

4. Rub toothpaste

Another way to remove tough old water stains from wood is to apply pure white, non-gel toothpaste. Don’t use toothpaste with mixed colors. The fluoride in the toothpaste should be abrasive enough to remove the water stain, without disrupting the finish. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A tube of white toothpaste
• A clean cloth
• A paper towel
• Wood polish
• A soft cloth

Squirt a generous amount of toothpaste over the stain. Use a clean cloth to lightly scrub the stain. Continue rubbing until the stain disappears. Once removed, wipe away the residue with a clean paper towel. Clean the surface thoroughly using wood polish and a soft cloth. Use caution when applying toothpaste to wooden furniture. Patch test an unnoticeable area first to ensure it won’t damage the furniture’s finish before applying.

5. Use a commercial stain remover

Many DIY stain removal methods won’t work, especially if your watermarks are very old and dark. To avoid the risk of damaging your table, invest in a commercial water stain remover suitable for your wooden furniture. Be sure to check the product is suitable for your wood finish (lacquer, varnish, shellac, etc.), or purchase an all-purpose stain remover if you’re unsure.

6. Refinish the wood entirely

Depending on how severe the watermarks are on your wooden furniture, you can start again by refinishing the wood entirely. Doing this will take several days and require some expertise. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Paint or stain stripper
• An orbital sander
• Sandpaper
• A clean cloth
• Your preferred finish (paint, varnish, lacquer, or shellac)

You’ll need to follow different steps to refinish your wood furniture depending on what finish you want to apply. Read our guides on how to finish plywood, how to apply shellac to plywood, how to stain plywood, and how to paint plywood to learn more.

Summary: Best Ways to Remove Old Water Stains From Wood

Type of Stain	Best Methods
Tough, dark, old, black water stains	Refinish the woodUse a commercial stain removerUse toothpaste
Light, new water stains	Apply mayonnaiseUse olive oil and vinegarSteam with an iron

Are Water Marks Permanent On Wood?

No, a small watermark or water ring on wooden furniture is not permanent, but it can be tough to remove. Dark (old) stains are harder to remove than light (new) stains. You can try various methods to remove water marks from wood, like vinegar, olive oil, and mayonnaise, or you can refinish the wood entirely to remove all evidence of the stain.

On the other hand, water damage to wood furniture caused by rain or a plumbing leak can be serious. If a sheet of unfinished plywood or wooden furniture is severely water-damaged, it may be unfixable. You can sometimes use an iron to repair warped or swollen wood, but it may not achieve the desired result, especially if the glue/resin has been damaged. Water-damaged wood can split, decay, lift, or generate surface mold, so it’s often best to get rid of it entirely.

Conclusion

Water-stained wood furniture can be a burden, especially if the marks are old. It’s unsightly and can make wooden furniture appear tired and dated. Removing water stains is usually easy to do, but you may need to try several DIY methods before you find a solution that works. Sometimes, refinishing the entire surface is the only way to get rid of old water stains.