No matter how many drink coasters you leave out for houseguests, you’re bound to end up with a few water stains on your wooden coffee table or nightstand. This typically occurs when moisture on the outside of the drinking glass is absorbed by the wood, leaving behind an unsightly ring.
You might be tempted to just throw the damaged piece of furniture to the curb, but instead, try this easy fix for removing water stains. All you need is something you probably already have in your fridge: mayonnaise. Be sure to use real mayonnaise, though. Look for ingredients including oil, egg yolks, vinegar, and lemon — these work together to replace the moisture and dissolve the stain.
To get started, apply some mayonnaise directly to the water stain and rub it in using a paper towel or a dish rag. Repeat this step, but this time, dab the mayonnaise onto the stain instead of rubbing it in. If you’re worried the condiment will attract pets or pests, you can always keep it covered with a paper towel.
Let the mayonnaise sit overnight, and in the morning, wipe it away with a clean cloth. You also should use a wood cleaner and conditioner (we like this plant-based formula by Method) to remove any residue. Note that the mayo method works best on surface-level stains, so if you notice rings on your table after a dinner party, you should address them sooner rather than later.
If you’re dealing with a sizable, months-old water mark — perhaps from a potted plant seeping moisture — consider sanding down the wood surface and applying a slurry made of Bar Keepers Friend and water to the stain. Let that sit for 45 minutes, wipe it off, and allow the raw wood to dry completely. Then, sand the entire surface a second time until the water rings have vanished, and apply your preferred wood stain.
With a little elbow grease, and perhaps a glob of mayonnaise, your wood furniture will soon look as good as new.
