Furniture finishes often demand special and careful attention when it comes to stain removal. While there are countless treatments for stains, some may damage the furniture's finish. Before you widely apply a treatment, always test a small area first to see if it removes the stain without disturbing or damaging the finish. If you are unsure what to do, we suggest you call a professional refinisher.

Here are some tips on how to treat common stains:

Water Marks & Rings
Rings are often in the wax, not the finish. Cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter, press down with a warm iron, and repeat. You can also rub the mark with salad oil, mayonnaise or white toothpaste. Wipe dry, then wax or polish.

White Marks
Rub the mark with a cloth dipped in a mixture of cigarette ashes and lemon juice or salad oil. Or rub with a cloth dipped in lighter fluid, followed by a mixture of rottenstone and salad oil. Wipe dry, then wax or polish.

Milk or Alcohol
Use your fingers to rub liquid or paste wax into the stain. You can also rub in a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain, substituting pumice for dull finishes. Or rub the stain with ammonia on a dampened cloth. Wipe dry, then wax or polish.