Secret to Removing Heat Stains from Wood Surfaces

Have you ever spotted some circle-like stains on the surface of your wooden table?

Sometimes when you made yourself some hot coffee and you casually placed the hot cup on the wooden dining table - Voila! There is the white-ish circle-like stain.

Basically, what happens is this: When a hot object is placed on the surface of the wood, its pores expand, allowing the moisture created by heat and steam to seep into the surface and settle in the wood, leaving behind discoloration and white heat marks.

For those out there who are annoyed with the stain and worried that you need to purchase a new dining table, here is something you can try out!

It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to remove heat stains from wood is to add more heat to the equation. This works by reopening the pores of the wood (yes, the same issue that got you into trouble in the first place), allowing the trapped moisture to escape, and reversing the stain in the process. The easiest way to do so is by breaking out your hairdryer. To start, place it on the lowest heat setting (but not the “cool” setting) and aim it directly at the stain, making sure to stay a few inches away from the wood’s surface. Using a side-to-side motion, continue to blow warm air at the stain until it disappears. If your mark is proving pesky, you can level up to using an iron instead. To do so, place a clean towel atop the stain and set your iron to the lowest heat setting. With this, you’ll want to cover the heat stain completely. Run the iron back and forth atop the stain and towel for several minutes, checking periodically to see if the stain has lifted.

At the end of the day, prevention is better than cure. The best way is to make sure you don’t have to deal with them in the first place. Practise using coasters and placemats to refrain from having these stains.