Workable solutions for cleaning water stains

It seems ironic that the most abundant cleaner, water, is itself capable of leaving one of the toughest stains to remove. Fortunately there several solutions depending on the type of water stain.

If one of the solutions following doesn't work, another one probably will. In all cases, unless otherwise noted, rub with a cloth dipped in the cleaner, going with the grain of the wood. Then buff with a clean cloth and apply your regular furniture polish.

• The best (although, the most expensive) method is to use a restore-a-finish product. This is a wipe-on, wipe-off process for restoring the finish on most wood furniture without the need to strip, re-stain and re-polish.
• A 50:50 mix of baking soda with white toothpaste (make sure it's not coloured or gel).
• Mayonnaise — let it sit for an hour.
• Petroleum jelly — let it sit for a day.
• A solution made from a little hot water with a few drops of clear ammonia added to it.
• A solution of equal parts of vinegar, boiled linseed oil and turpentine, the latter two available from hardware and paint stores.
• Paste wax applied with superfine steel wool (0000), both available from hardware and home ware stores.
• If none of the above solutions works, re-finishing may be the only way to get rid of the water stain.

• If the restore-a-finish product doesn't work — there's probably only one remedy. You'll need to strip off the finish and bleach the wood.
• Chances are, if the wood has such a stain, the finish is already next to non-existent, so removing it shouldn't be too difficult.
• Use a paint and varnish remover, available from hardware and paint stores.
• Let the piece dry; then treat it with oxalic acid bleach, available from hardware stores. Follow the instructions on the labels of these products.

• Use a mixture of 50 ml (1/4 cup) of chlorine bleach in 1 litre (1 quart) of warm water.
• If several applications don't work, you'll need to repaint.
• But first apply a sealant so the stain won't bleed through.
• Talk to someone at your hardware store about a sealant that is appropriate for your situation.

• You can try a 50:50 solution of water and white vinegar.
• Wet a cloth with the solution and gently blot the surface.
• If this doesn't work, your best bet is to call a professional.