By surface & project
Removing water marks
White rings, heat marks and dark stains: what each one means and how to treat it
Diagnose
First, what kind of mark is it?
| The mark looks… | What has happened | How hard to fix |
|---|---|---|
| White, cloudy or milky | Moisture or heat is trapped in the finish, not the wood | Usually fixable |
| Dark grey, brown or black | Water has got through the finish into the wood itself | Harder; needs specialist treatment |
| A raised or rough patch | Water has lifted the grain or damaged the finish | May need local refinishing |
Never judge a mark while the wood is wet. Wetting deepens the colour and can make a mark look as if it has disappeared.
White marks
How to remove white rings and heat marks
Furniture Cleaner and Reviver removes most white heat and water marks, as well as fine scratches, old wax and everyday grime. It suits varnish, French polish, lacquer and modern finishes.
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Test first
Try a hidden area, and wear gloves.
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Start gently
A little cleaner on a soft cloth, worked over the mark with moderate pressure, following the grain.
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Step up if needed
For a stubborn mark, soak a pad of 0000 steel wool in the cleaner and work gently along the grain.
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Wipe off
Remove the surplus with a clean, lint-free cloth.
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Let it dry and look again
Repeat if the mark is fading.
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Restore the shine
Apply a thin coat of Mylands Wax Polish and buff, or revive French polish with a few fresh coats.
Good to know
Why we don’t recommend irons, hairdryers and home remedies
By finish
Water marks on different finishes
| Finish | What to do |
|---|---|
| French polish | Try Furniture Cleaner and Reviver first. If the polish is worn, revive it with fresh French Polish, building up gradually and blending into the sound finish. |
| Wax | Buff firmly; light marks often lift. Clean with Furniture Cleaner and Reviver, then rewax. |
| Oil | Clean, let it dry completely, then apply a thin fresh coat of the same oil. |
| Varnish or lacquer | Try Furniture Cleaner and Reviver. If water has got under the film, the panel may need sanding and recoating. |
From the Mylands Experts
The bonsai tray
Martin was once faced with an oak cabinet that had a water-filled tray beneath a bonsai dragged across its top. It left a brown-grey mark where the water had got through to the wood. He cleaned the surface with methylated spirit first, and as it went on, the mark seemed to vanish. It hadn’t: the spirit had simply darkened the wood and hidden it.
Only once the timber was completely dry could he see what he was dealing with. He treated the discolouration, let it dry and polished the area. The mark was almost entirely gone.
Martin’s advice: never judge a mark while the wood is wet.
Prevention
How to stop it happening again
Products
For removing marks
Questions
Water marks: your questions
How do I get a white ring off a wooden table?
Why has my table gone white where a hot dish was?
Can black water marks be removed?
Does an iron remove water marks?
How do I stop water marks on my dining table?
Need advice?
Ask our team
Call us on 020 8670 9161, Monday to Friday, or visit our showroom in West Norwood. We make every tin, so we can answer almost anything.