Having watermarks on wood surfaces can be frustrating. Whether you’re dealing with markings on wood furniture or flooring, you’ll want to find an effective way to deal with this problem. These are a few DIY methods you can try if you want to remove watermarks.
Clean With Vinegar and Olive Oil
There are plenty of cleaning products on the market that are designed to tackle watermarks, but you may find that natural cleaners are the most effective option. Mix equal parts olive oil and vinegar and apply the mixture to the watermark using a damp cloth.
When you’re using a mixture like this to clean wood, you’ll want to make sure you move the cloth in the direction of the wood grain. You may have to be patient in order to see results, but before too long, the watermark should start to fade away. Vinegar is one of the most effective ingredients in natural cleaners, and olive oil works very well on wood.
Try Using Mayonnaise
Surprisingly, there’s another item you may have in your kitchen that can help you to take care of watermarks: mayonnaise. Just gently dab it on the stained surface using a paper towel. Leave it on the watermark for a few hours before you clean it away.
If you do use mayonnaise to clean a watermark, you’ll want to keep a paper towel or a cloth over the mayonnaise until you’re ready to wipe it clean. Although this cleaning tip is highly effective, you may not want to use it if you have pets or small children in your household.
Buff the Wood With Toothpaste
Toothpaste keeps your teeth clean, and it can be used to clean stains as well. It’s an excellent way to get rid of watermarks if you use it to buff the wood. Just place a small amount of toothpaste on a clean cloth and dab the stain with it. Continue the process until the watermark is gone.
Once you’ve successfully managed to get rid of the stain, you’ll want to clean it away using a clean cloth. Before you use this method, check to see what kind of toothpaste you have. Avoid using anything that could scratch the wood.
Heat the Wood With a Dryer
If you have a blow dryer, you should plug it in and aim it at the watermarks. Keep the dryer at least a few inches away from the wood. Continue to hold it in place and apply the hot hair until you see the watermark fade away.
While this can make a watermark less visible, it may not be enough to get rid of it completely. If this is the case, you’ll want to try buffing the area with your favorite furniture polish. By the time you’re finished, the surface should look as good as new.
Watermarks can be a frustrating problem, but thankfully, there are plenty of simple and effective ways to deal with them. Keep these tips in mind, and you should easily be able to remove watermarks from the wood surfaces in your home.