Simple home remedies: Removing water rings from wood

These two ingredients are not only used for making popcorn. Mix equal parts of salt and corn oil and gently rub the mixture into the water ring mark. Grab a clean, soft cloth and rub the mark until it fades.

Also used as a wood cleaner, lemon oil can make the water ring disappear. Pour a small amount of lemon oil onto a clean, soft cloth and then dip it in salt. Continue to rub the cloth over the mark, and if it starts to lighten, repeat the process using vinegar in place of the lemon oil. (Tip: Avoid using this remedy on shellac surface finishes).

From cooking and cleaning to calming down an upset stomach, baking soda is a popular staple used in a lot of home remedies. Mix equal amounts of white toothpaste and baking soda together and apply it to a rag. Rub in the paste, moving parallel to the wood grain. Wipe it off and polish with lemon oil to add some shine.

Follow this super-easy step to say good-bye to your water ring for good. Lightly rub the stain with extra-fine–grade steel wool dipped in lemon oil. Once the ring is gone, polish the table with lemon oil and buff with a clean cloth to replace the dullness with sheen.

Mayo can work wonders beyond adding flavor to a sandwich. Mix together ashes from one cigarette and one tablespoon of mayonnaise. Spread the mixture over the spot and let it sit for 15 minutes to an hour. Grab a clean cloth, dip it into the mixture and gently rub the water ring mark. Touch up the wood with furniture polish after the ring mark disappears.

Grab your blow dryer with the nozzle attachment and get to work. ThriftyFun.com recommends directing the airflow in a steady stream as you concentrate it on the ring. Start on cool and move to high, increasing the heat, and the ring should be gone in seconds.