Ask Mrs. Clean: House Cleaning, Stain Removal and Organizing Tips

[wbhardt]

How do I get a circular tea stain from a coffee cup that is on the top of a wooded dining room table. Stain could be due to hot water or tea. :(

[mrscleannw]

Hello and welcome.

You don’t specifically state whether this is a water mark or a tannin stain from the tea itself. So I am assuming this is a water mark from the hot tea. If your coffee table is newer and has a finish, try one of the following.

Mayonnaise/Olive Oil:
Apply a liberal amount of mayonnaise over the stain. Leave on overnight then wipe off with a clean soft cloth. Polish as usual.

Using Heat:
If you are seeing a white ring, this is from moisture getting trapped under the wax surface. This method will work on waxed surfaces where a natural oil was used or a wax finish.
• Get a clean soft cotton cloth.
• Turn the iron to low.
• Place the cloth over the stain and continuously move the iron over the top of the cloth to avoid scorching.
• Let sit for a couple of minutes. Re-polish.
This will help to absorb the moisture from the under the wax.

Note: If you don’t have success with either of these methods, over time with some pieces of furniture the water stain may fade or disappear.

A Word of Caution:
Using mayonnaise/oil works by absorption. Make sure to test each method in a small, inconspicuous area of the furniture before rubbing on the stain.

Some finishes and some types of wood will not be as receptive to these methods as others will.

Mrs. Clean

[wbhardt]

Thank you for your reply. We don't know if the stain is tea or from the hot water. We think it is from the hot water, but we're not sure. We will try the methods you sent us and let you know how it works out. Thank you for the suggestions. :)

[cleanway]

Fantabulous. I wasn't sure myself what the best options could be to combat this. Great tips to try on.