Removing water stains from wood can be tricky to deal with. It doesn’t require a lot of skill but needs patience. Everything depends on how soon you clean the water stain. Well, if you want to know how to remove water stains from wood, then you’ve arrived at the right place. This post is the perfect guide for you. In this blog, I will talk about Five easy ways to remove water stains from wood.
A hairdryer
When you have a wood deck or terrace that gets wet, there are two options for getting rid of the stains. You can either wait for the water to dry—this can take hours—or you can use a hairdryer to heat the stain, which in turn melts it away. This is pretty simple and inexpensive.
Note: Make sure not to use the dryer at the same spot for a longer time. Move it here and there not to overheat the wood.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is something we all use every day, so it’s always handy to have it in your home. But did you know you can use toothpaste to remove water stains from wood as well? It’s true! You need to take toothpaste and apply it to the area where there is a stain. After that, remove the paste and use a wood polisher to remove the stain.
Note: Not all toothpaste may work, so it is better to use one with gel-free and white.
Mayonnaise
If the above method doesn’t work, you can try using mayonnaise to remove water stains from wood. The oil in the mayonnaise helps to polish and remove dark water stains from wood.
You need to add little mayonnaise over a cloth, then slowly apply it straight to the affected area. After putting it there for a few hours, wipe it with a clean cloth.
Note: If you want, you can wait overnight before wiping it. One more thing you can do is add a few fire ashes or cigarette ashes to make it stronger and more reliable.
Sanding
Water stains can be difficult to remove if left untreated for too long, but with a moist towel and some fine-grit sandpaper, you’ll be good as new. Water stains from moisture and soap residue are easy to remove using a wet cloth and a light dusting of sandpaper.
Here’s how you can do it
- Blot up excess moisture with a clean white cloth
- Sand the stain with fine-grit sandpaper(do it gently using an orbital sander)
- Rub the area with a suede brush
- Wipe the area clean with a moist cloth
- Blot up any moisture with a dry brush or cloth
- Scrub until the stain disappears
Note: Sanding is the easiest option, but it can be harsh on your furniture and sometimes your walls. A few other methods include bubble blowing, polishing, micro shaving, spraying with wax, or perhaps combining these methods. To get started, you need to know precisely how much water you need. Water stains can range from subtle to more noticeable depending on the materials you have on your furniture. For example, white furniture may only require a light hand, while brown or darker woods may need more pressure and control.
Iron
How to remove water stains from wood with iron? Since my early childhood, I saw my neighbors trying different homemade remedies to make wood smooth and glossy. Let’s see some tips to remove the discoloration on the wooden furniture with iron.
- Remove excess water from the wood, if any. The iron should be completely dry.
- If there is any water in iron, let it dry.
- Put the clean, dry, and white cloth in the affected area.
- Use an iron to dry wood.
Bleach Solution
Water stains can be removed by bleaching or spot drying. Bleached wood is blackened by the whiteness of the wood, causing an orange or yellow color to appear when under light pressure. This is the preferred method for removing stains on natural wood with water contact. This is how you can do it by yourself.
- First, you need to make a mixture of cold water and bleach (50-50)%
- Gently apply the mixture into the affected area with a thick sponge. You should not wet the wood.
- Let the wood completely dry after it’s bleached.
Note: As bleach is acidic, you need to wear waterproof gloves when using this method.
When should I remove the water stains from the wood?
Restoring a stained wood floor is a great way to keep the old wood in top form. However, not all stains are easy to remove. Water stains can last for many years and dry quickly. So it’s essential to know when the best time for removing a water stain. The best time is the summertime when it’s hot and dry. The worst time is when it’s raining as this will make the work more complicated.
Note: However, if the woods are inside, then any season can be okay.
Safety Concerns
These are things you need to keep in mind before you start to get water stains out of wood.
- Remove water from wood as soon as possible
- Wear protective glasses
- Be cautious of chemical polishes
- Use a clean cloth
Conclusion
In homes that have experienced overflow and water damage, water stains are not uncommon. Often, homeowners will unknowingly place their furniture and other items on top of pre-existing water stains. As new wood touches water-damaged wood, the discoloration becomes more entrenched and difficult to remove. Therefore, you can use the above-given steps to remove the stain safely from the wood.
If the water stains do not leave after trying all the methods above, it will be better to take professional help.