- Cleaning those white stains from your coffee table

The last time you watered your plant on the coffee table did the water leak

through and leave a white stain? I'll explain how to get rid of the stain. Wood finishes of yester year did not have the resistance to water that the urethane plastic finishes do today. Older furniture was finished with lacquers and down through the years many coats of wax have been added. Hot items such as teapots, cups of coffee and water can cause white water marks. White water marks, as they are commonly called, are frustrating when they appear, however, these can be removed. Using super fine steel wool or 300 grit sandpaper break the surface of the finish to the stained wood and with a soft bristle brush apply the following mixture - 1/2 white vinegar 1/2 water and allow to sit for one minute, scrub with the soft bristle brush and blot with a soft towel. When the stain vanishes apply a coat of car-nauba-based furniture wax such as Bri-Wax, Liberon Wax or Trewax and buff with a soft cloth.

Article courtesy of: Shell Busey