Diners can discolor a dining room table from spills or burns, but minor repairs or cleaning can remove the discoloration. For best results, clean the table or wipe away spills as quickly as possible. Prevent burn damage by using trivets under hot dishes. The method of repair or refurbishment depends on the cause of the discoloration. Major damage may require that the entire top be refinished at home or by a professional.
Instructions
Alcohol and Other Stains
1. Buff any remainder of the liquid or stain away with a clean . Apply linseed oil with a soft cloth and buff around the perimeter of the stain, working inward.
2. Apply a few drops of household ammonia cleanser to a clean cloth and rub the stain lightly if the stain remains.
3. Mix a paste from powdered rottenstone, which will act as an abrasive, lubricated with a few drops of linseed oil. Apply the paste to a soft cloth and rub gently in the direction of the grain, if the stain still remains.
Burns and Scratches
4. Scrape away a burned surface using the dull side of a butter knife in gentle, quick, repeated motions.
5. Buff the damage from the burn or the scratch using very fine steel wool in a gentle circular motion.
6. Apply stainable wood filler according to manufacturer's instructions if the resulting depression is deep enough to be seen. Sand it once hardened, and buff the entire area with fine steel wood to help it blend.
7. Apply a furniture touchup stain marker to the area as needed to cover the wood filler.
Water Rings
8. Wipe spills and condensation away as quickly as possible to prevent or minimize white water rings on the table's surface.
9. Apply furniture polish to the water ring.
10. Apply linseed oil with steel wool and buff lightly in the direction of the grain of the wood if the remains. Wipe oil away immediately with a soft .
11. Drop household ammonia onto a soft clean cloth and apply if the water ring remains.
12. Fold a soft, clean, lint-free cloth into fourths to create a thick barrier. Lay the cloth onto the water ring. Press down a warm, not hot, iron onto the blot cloth.
13. Rub the area with a polishing cloth or apply furniture polish and buff with a soft cloth.
Tags: soft cloth, water ring, clean cloth, soft clean,