5 Simple Tricks to Get Rid of Water Ring Marks

Mark Be Gone!

Dina Montgomery
All it takes is someone to put their sweating glass right on the wood of your precious tabletop to forever remind you of that pesky water ring mark. Most times, all it takes is to wipe up the water ring mark right away to rid the ring from appearing. You can even dry up the water ring mark by using a hair dryer on its lowest setting. Then there is the water ring mark that has been there awhile and will need some extra loving care to get rid of it. Here are 5 simple tricks to finally get rid of that water ring mark for good.

Trick #1: Salt and Corn Oil

To get rid of water ring mark with this method, you will need to mix equal parts of salt and corn oil. Take this mixture and gently rub it into the water ring mark, and then get a clean, soft cloth and polish the water ring mark until it disappears.

Trick # 2: Salt and Lemon Oil

This method is not recommended for shellac surface finishes. Get a clean, soft cloth and pour a small amount of lemon oil onto it and then dip it in salt. Gently rub the cloth over the water ring mark, when you notice that the water ring mark starts to lighten, repeat the process using vinegar in place of the lemon oil.

Trick # 3: Mayonnaise and Ashes

Take some ashes from one cigarette and mix it with about a tablespoon of mayonnaise. Get a rough cloth and dip it into the mixture and rub the water ring mark with gentle pressure. When the water ring mark disappears, finish up with some furniture polish.

Trick # 4: Lemon Oil and Steel Wool

Get a steel wool pad that has an extra-fine-grade of #0000, and add a small amount of lemon oil. Gently rub the water ring mark until it disappears. To finish, polish the area with lemon oil and buff with a clean, soft cloth.

Trick # 5: Baking Soda and Toothpaste

This method is to be used with white, non-gel toothpaste. Mix equal amounts of baking soda and white, non-gel toothpaste and apply with a clean, soft cloth. Gently rub in the mixture into the water ring mark using a parallel movement along with the wood grain of the table. Wipe the mixture off, and then polish with lemon oil.

By using any of these 5 methods, you are sure to remove the water ring mark from your tabletop. No more worrying about your precious table marked with the unsightly water ring marks, it will look as beautiful as when you first brought it home.

Sources: Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things book

Published by Dina Montgomery

I've always loved writing and sharing things with others.  View profile

33 Comments

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  • Bridget Ilene Delaney4/6/2011

    I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top. ~English Professor (Name Unknown), Ohio University

  • Bridget Ilene Delaney4/3/2011

    To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make. ~Truman Capote, McCall's, November 1967

  • Bridget Ilene Delaney4/3/2011

    To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make. ~Truman Capote, McCall's, November 1967

  • Bridget Ilene Delaney3/30/2011

    Writing is my time machine, takes me to the precise time and place I belong. ~Jeb Dickerson

  • Bridget Ilene Delaney3/16/2011

    I'm still sick today, but I figure I can handle copying and pasting comments to get some returned.

  • Bridget Ilene Delaney3/9/2011

    Hope you had a good Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras if you celebrate! If not, hope you had a happy Tuesday and are having a good Wednesday!

  • Miko Amaranthine1/21/2011

    Interesting tips! I have never heard of most. I usually just use a good scrub brush and some baking soda. I'm going to try some out.

  • Abby Willow11/16/2010

    Great tips- unusual, but that's likely why they work :)

  • Jack Wellman11/12/2010

    This is my second trip. Just love your work. Catching up my friend, with apologies for my tardiness.

  • Matthew Austin11/11/2010

    Wait a minute! Most of these ingredients are either acidic or abrasive. Wont they damage the finish?

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