How To Remove Heat Stains From Wood Table | Hair Dryer | Toothpaste | Mayonnaise

Introduction

• When you are enjoying a meal with your friends and family, it is possible that someone may accidentally leave a heat stain on your table, especially on a coffee table or dining room table. Now, the question is: How do the heat stains Appear? 

• Heat stains usually appear when hot objects make contact with your wood furniture and as a result, leave a Smokey white impression on the wood.  This usually happens when heat-producing steam and your wood's pores expand, open or absorb the moisture at the same time. The moisture accumulates inside the wood's pores as soon as it gets cool and those pores contract again, leaving you with a foggy discoloration.

• However, you can easily get rid of these pesky heat stains from your wood furniture, including the coffee table & dining room table, if you address the blemish quickly. 

        

 Three easy methods to remove heat stains from wood table

Try one of the three best methods listed below before you sand the stain down or give your table to a nearby thrift store. A few common home products, such as toothpaste or a hair dryer, and some spare time will suffice. 

With a hair dryer

• Clean the Surface

Hair dryer is usually one of the best and the most effective ways when it comes to getting rid of heat stains from your wood table. It may seem surprising for you but you may need to add more heat. However, when you are applying this method, the first thing you need to do is wipe down your wood table especially over the stain and its surrounding area and get rid of any dust or debris from the wood surface. 

• Dry the Stain

Now, take a hair dryer, switch it on & make sure to keep it at the lowest setting but above the cool setting. Take hold of the hair dryer a few inches away from the stain & pan slowly back and forth. The stain will start to vanish within no time, if the stain is not too deep and has not been sitting for too long. If the stain still persists, then try to turn up the heat before moving on, if required, to the next step. 

• Switch to an Iron (Optional)

If hair dryer does not work, then you can try using a clothing iron. However, avoid direct contact of iron with the wood, because, the iron will be much hotter compared to the hair dryer. Instead, you can use a clean towel as a barrier. Exactly as you did with the hair dryer, set the iron at the lowest setting and slide it back and forth over the surface. This will tale longer time period compared to hair dryer method, so check under the towel every now and then to monitor your progress.

With Toothpaste

• Make a Paste With Toothpaste and Baking Soda

Another option when it comes to getting rid of heat stains from wood table is to mix toothpaste with baking soda and create a paste. You need to blend one part of toothpaste with two parts of baking soda in a bowl in order to create a paste. 

• Spread Paste Over Stain

As soon as the paste is ready, spread and apply it over the top of your heat stain. Make sure to apply the paste only on the affected areas, and protect the other surface of the table from the paste, because it could damage the finish. Allow the paste to sit on the stain affected area for at least 5 minutes.

• Wipe Away the Paste

After the completion of the 5 minute and the toothpaste-baking soda mixture is set, take a clean cloth and start wiping it away. If the stain is still present on the table, then try this method several times. 

With Mayonnaise

• Spread Mayonnaise Over the Stain

Mayonnaise is another option to remove the heat stains from the wood table. This is usually considered the most effective stain remover, because the mayo oils can penetrate the wood pores and also release the trapped moisture. Take a few tablespoons of mayo and rub it on to the stain with the help of a clean cloth. Then, allow it to sit for at least 2 hours or even overnight if the stain is persistent. 

• Wipe Away With a Damp Cloth

Now, take a clean and damp cloth and buff away what is left. The stain should not be hiding underneath the mayo but if is is still there, it is strongly recommended trying this method one more time for a longer time duration.

Additional Tips

If none of the above mentioned methods suffice, then you can always try to sand down the stain before applying varnish to reseal the wood. However, this should always be the last option and sanding should only be limited to the stain. If everything fails, and you don't know what to do after failing to remove the heat stain, then simply contact a professional.