How To Remove Stain From Wood

Just like gems accessorize humans, wood accessorizes houses. But the problem with wood is that it is just what it is - wood. Delicate, stainable and demanding! Wood loses its sheen and needs polishing every now and then. And as if that maintenance wasn’t enough, problems are compounded by the ever ready stains, which find their way to our furniture, from nowhere. So, if your kid has hurt himself on that wooden sofa and is bleeding, know that the wound is just one aspect of the tragedy. The other aspect awaits you at the sofa’s handle, where the drops of blood have transformed the look of your once-so-spotless teak furniture into an ugly one. So, whether it is the accidental blood stain or the inadvertent staining caused by the oil barrel, stains of any kind are enough to rip your gorgeous centre table off its glory. If you have any of the above staining issues to deal with at home, read on!

Removing Stains From Wood

Oil Stains

If the stain is new and less severe, you can place a blotted paper on the stained area and press it with a hot iron till the spot disappears.
For older and more stubborn stains, mix fuller's earth with liquid dry-cleaning spot remover. Apply this thick paste on the stain. Leave it to dry and repeat as many times as required.

Water Stains

Chlorine bleach is very effective for wiping out water marks from wood, especially the white water marks that are a consequence of moisture tucked inside the wax finish.
Apply it the either under direct sunlight or heat the furniture under a heat lamp, before applying the bleach. Let the bleach stay for 15 minutes. If the stain is still there, then repeat the process upto three times consecutively, but not more. Once the stain is gone, rinse the dry bleach solution off the furniture with a solution of water and white vinegar.
You can also use mayonnaise or some oil for this purpose. Spread 2 tbsp mayonnaise or oil on a paper napkin and then press it lightly over the white water mark for 15 minutes. If the stain is still there, you can rub in more mayonnaise. Else, gently wipe off the grease with a fresh paper towel.
Leave the mayonnaise or oil overnight for stubborn and old stains.
You can also rub a small amount of non-gel toothpaste on the stain and remove it with damp cloth when dry.

Blood Stains

Dampen a soft cloth with cold water and rub it gently onto to the stain. If the stain persists, then soak the cloth in a solution of cold water and ammonia. Spread it out on the stain and let it stay till the stain disappears.
Gently scrub the stain with a wash cloth dampened with cold water. Wipe out the dampness with a dry cloth immediately or it will stain.
Alternatively, you can dampen the washcloth with hydrogen peroxide for stubborn stains.

Other Stains

Ink

Blot the ink immediately. Gently wipe the surface with cream wax or a damp cloth.
For older stains, pour a mix of oxalic acid and warm water with a dropper over the stain. Leave it on till the stain disappears.

Paint

For water-based paint, gently wipe off the paint with damp cloth and immediately wipe the surface dry to avoid water-staining.
Oil-based paint stains can be removed by scrubbing the area gently with a washcloth soaked with liquid solvent-base wax.
For dried stains, apply boiled linseed oil generously on the stain and wipe out the softened stain a boiled linseed oil soaked washcloth.

Heat Marks

Apply a mix of cigarette ashes and citric acid over the stain and wipe off in 30 minutes.

How to Cite

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Home & Living'