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Feb 20, 2025

How to Remove Water Stains from Wood Without a Special Cleaner

Before you start searching for a replacement coffee table, turn to our expert tips for removing water rings from your home's furniture. Caitlin is the associate editorial director at Better Homes &

Before you start searching for a replacement coffee table, turn to our expert tips for removing water rings from your home's furniture.

Caitlin is the associate editorial director at Better Homes & Gardens. She is a writer and editor with more than a decade of experience with digital media, including SEO, photo and video production, print content, and custom sales content.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she's an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants.

You know the scenario: A guest forgets to use a coaster under their chilled glass and soon a faint white stain appears on your favorite wood furniture. This stain is often referred to as a water ring, and while it's certainly frustrating, it doesn't have to ruin your party. Learn how to remove water stains from wood with our easy cleaning hacks that use everyday products you already own, including toothpaste, distilled white vinegar, and even mayonnaise.

BHG / Sarah Crowley

Before you begin removing water stains from wood surfaces, examine the color of the water ring. It's important to note that some tough water stains may be best treated with a combination of cleaning techniques; experiment with each method as needed.

Below, we'll show you how to remove water stains from wood so the party can continue.

BHG / Sarah Crowley

One surprising fix for water stains is probably already in your fridge. The oil in mayonnaise works to displace the moisture in a water ring and remedy any cloudy residue in the finish of wood furniture. We found this to be one of the most effective cleaning methods for removing water stains.

Step 1: Add Mayonnaise. Using a paper towel, dab mayonnaise onto the stain.

Step 2: Let Sit. Let the mayo sit on the stain for a few hours or overnight with the paper towel on top.

Step 3: Clean and Polish. Wipe away the mayo with a clean microfiber cloth and finish by polishing.

Your kitchen cupboards likely hold another household remedy that can eliminate markings from any misplaced glasses. Vinegar and olive oil can act as a powerful duo against stubborn water stains. The vinegar will help remove the stain, while the olive oil acts as a furniture polish.

Step 1: Mix Vinegar and Oil. In a small bowl, mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil.

Step 2: Apply Mixture. Apply the mixture to the water stain using a cloth until the stain disappears. Be sure to wipe in the direction of the wood grain for a seamless final look.

Step 3: Wipe Clean. Finish by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.

BHG / Sarah Crowley

If the water stain has recently appeared, this quick solution can help clear the liquid away before the stain has a chance to set in. The heat from the iron evaporates the moisture in the surface finish, allowing the wood to dry in a harmless and stain-free manner.

Step 1: Place Cloth. Lay a clean cloth over the stain. We recommend using a cotton cloth without any prints or decals to avoid any transfer to your surface.

Step 2: Turn Iron On. Set the iron to a low temperature and wait for it to warm up.

Step 3: Set Iron on Cloth. Once warm, briefly set the iron on the cloth over the water stain.

Step 4: Repeat Until Finished. Lift the iron and cloth after a few seconds to check the stain. If it's still there, repeat the steps until the stain is removed.

We recommend using a soft cotton or microfiber cloth without prints or decals to avoid any transfer to your surface.

BHG / Sarah Crowley

This method works best on fresh water stains. As soon as a water ring appears, head to your bathroom and grab a hairdryer. The heat from the hairdryer will quickly dry up any water sitting near the wood's surface, which can prevent lasting stains.

Step 1: Turn Hairdryer On. Plug in the hairdryer and turn it to its highest setting.

Step 2: Dry Stain. Aim the hairdryer towards the stain and hold until the stain disappears.

Step 3: Polish. Polish the table with furniture oil. If you don't have furniture oil on hand, olive oil works, too.

For this water stain fix, you'll need white toothpaste (skip the gel and whitening varieties) and a cloth or paper towel. The baking soda in white toothpaste helps draw water out of the stain to remove even the toughest water markings.

Step 1: Dab Toothpaste. Dab a generous amount of the toothpaste onto a clean cloth.

Step 2: Rub In. Buff the toothpaste onto the stain. Continue to gently rub the stain until the stain is completely removed.

Step 3: Wipe Clean. Wipe away any residue with a cloth or paper towel.

Go ahead and add another item to baking soda's long list of cleaning uses. This multipurpose household staple can come to the rescue for all your water stain needs. Simply mix the baking soda with water to form a thick paste that you can apply to the stain.

Step 1: Form Paste. Start with 1 Tbsp of baking soda and add water in small increments until a paste forms.

Step 2: Rub In. Use a microfiber cloth to gently rub the paste into the surface of your water stain.

Step 3: Wipe Clean. Wipe away any remaining paste with another dry microfiber cloth.

WD-40 has been advertised as a method for removing water stains from wood, but unfortunately, it doesn't work most of the time. 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.

If you've tried all the other methods with no luck, you can try using WD-40. Spray it on a microfiber cloth and gently apply it only to the lighter areas of wood. The product will make those areas darker, so stains will be less visible.

Water stains on wood are usually temporary. Still, removing the stain may be impossible if the water is exceptionally hard, as it can be in some places, or if it's been left on the wood for weeks or months.

No, vinegar won't harm wood when used properly by combining it with olive oil. However, if used alone, vinegar can leave a cloudy film, since it can eat through the finish.

When wood gets water damaged, it will start to soften and rot. Mold and fungi can grow where the wood has softened. When wood floors have water damage, they'll buckle and fold, and will need extensive repairs or replacement.

You can use petroleum jelly to remove water stains. Be sure the stain is completely dry, then apply a thin layer of Vaseline and let it sit overnight. Wipe away the petroleum jelly in the morning.

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove stains from wood, but it works best for dark stains. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with one part water and soak a paper towel or small cloth in the mixture. Lay that on top of the wood stain for 10-15 minutes. Then, remove the cloth and let the surface dry.