How to remove heat stains from wood: 7 effective methods

Follow one of these proven methods to remove heat stains and restore your furniture to its original splendor.

Heat stains are a constant concern for both experienced homeowners and those just buying their first piece of furniture. Unfortunately, heat stains are easy to get, especially for home cooks who often bring sizzling dishes from the grill directly to the table. Heat stains don’t go away on their own, but it’s not difficult to remove these stains from wood with the right techniques and tools.

However, the fear of aggravating heat stains can be compounded by the amount of information online on the subject. We investigated how to remove heat stains from wood, so carpenters and do-it-yourselfers of all levels can begin to repair these annoying imperfections.

What causes heat stains on wood?
Heat stains occur when a hot object is placed on a wood surface, causing the wood to expand and absorb moisture. This moisture penetrates the wood and leaves a trail of discoloration and bright white heat marks, which remain after the hot object is removed or cooled and the pores of the wood are closed.

Unfortunately, even sealed wood is susceptible to heat staining. In some cases, such as oily pizza boxes, objects that create heat stains do not need to be very hot; liquids such as oil penetrate the wood more easily. It is best to assume that anything hot placed on a wood surface can create a heat stain, especially since different types of wood have different levels of durability.

How to remove heat stains from wood: the best method

Regardless of the heat stain removal method you use, it is essential to act quickly to achieve the ideal result. Heat stains are similar to water stains in that they don’t disappear on their own over time; in fact, the longer you wait, the harder they are to remove.

Ironically, with a little extra heat, you can reduce the size of the stains on your wood furniture or remove them completely. It may seem counterintuitive, but applying extra heat to extract trapped moisture is quite effective and can be accomplished with common household tools such as a hair dryer or iron.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN
If the heat stains are difficult to remove with a hair dryer, you may need to use an iron (see step 4). Before doing so, make sure the iron is not set for steam. Injecting steam directly into the wood will almost certainly create even worse heat stains.

STEP 1: Clean the surface of the wood.
The first step in knowing how to remove heat stains from wood is to start with a clean surface. Make sure the surface of your table or other stained wood surface is clean and free of dust and debris. This will prevent other contaminants from being trapped in the open pores of the wood during the heating process.

STEP 2: Turn on the hair dryer and select the lowest heat setting.
Using a hair dryer should be your first line of attack for removing heat stains; it will not be as hot as an iron and is less likely to accidentally burn the wood. Plug in the hair dryer and set it to the lowest temperature setting. Be careful not to set the dryer on cold; the pores of the wood will not open if it is not heated.

STEP 3: Distribute the hair dryer evenly over the stain.
Hold the hair dryer a few inches from the stained surface and move it slowly back and forth across the stain. If the stain is not too deep, you will begin to see it less visible within a minute or two of applying heat.

If you don’t notice any change after a few minutes of heating the wood, try increasing the heat level of the dryer by one or two levels. Continue to move the dryer over the stained surface for a few more minutes. If the appearance of the heat stain does not change, proceed with the iron-on removal method below.

STEP 4: Prepare the iron and take a clean towel.

If the hair dryer doesn’t work, try removing the heat stain with an iron. You will also need a dry towel to place between the iron and the stained surface. The towel will keep the iron from scorching the wood, but it should be thin enough so that most of the heat from the iron can transfer to the wood surface.

STEP 5: Run the iron over the stained surface.
Turn the iron on at one of its lowest heat settings and let it heat up, but do not use any steam or functionality settings. Similar to moving the hair dryer from side to side over the stained surface, run the hot iron over the surface in the same motion for several minutes. Using an iron to remove hot stains takes a little longer than the hair dryer method, and you have to pause from time to time to lift the towel and check your progress.

Repeat this process until you start to see the white heat marks recede. They may not disappear completely, but they should reduce or fade to some extent.

Alternative methods for removing heat stains from wood
While applying heat is generally the quickest and easiest method, there are several lesser known but useful methods for removing heat stains from wood furniture. Some of these methods are a bit out of the ordinary, but they pose little to no risk to your furniture and may be worth a try if heat doesn’t work. However, always test any new method on an inconspicuous part of the stained furniture before proceeding.

Toothpaste

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Toothpaste can clean more than just teeth. Thanks to its alkaline properties, it can work like laundry detergent to slowly lift a stain from the depths of wood’s pores to the surface. However, this method only works with traditional plain white toothpaste; anything containing gels or artificial coloring won’t work.

Once you have your regular toothpaste, grab a bowl and make a mixture that’s one part toothpaste and two parts baking soda. After a minute or two of mixing, it should become a thick paste. Apply this paste to the heat stains and white marks. Let it sit for a minute or so before wiping it off. Repeat this process until you’re satisfied with the results.

Mayonnaise

Yes, you read that right. Mayonnaise is a tested method for removing heat stains from wood furniture. Mayonnaise is packed with dense, natural oils that penetrate the pores of wood to free the moisture trapped inside.

Similar to how you would apply a mixture of toothpaste and baking soda, simply lather some mayonnaise onto a smooth cloth and generously wipe it onto the stain. Unlike the toothpaste method, we recommend that you leave mayonnaise on the heat stain for at least a few hours or even overnight. Once it’s set, wipe off the excess and buff out the remainder of the stain.

Petroleum Jelly

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Petroleum jelly works for the same reason that mayonnaise does; its oil content. You can use petroleum jelly instead of mayonnaise if you have it on hand. All you need to do is wipe a layer of the jelly onto the stained surface with a clean rag. Let it set for a few hours before coming back to clean and buff the area.

Vinegar and Olive Oil

A vinegar and olive oil mixture is a powerful, penetrating agent with natural stain-fighting properties. Vinegar is a popular stain remover for clothing, but it can also be useful as a wood heat stain remover.

Just mix equal parts olive oil and vinegar in a container and use a paint brush or clean rag to apply it to the surface of the wood. Don’t use too much, and let it sit for about an hour before coming back to check on its progress. After wiping off the surface, dry and polish the wood.

Salt and Olive Oil

Using an olive oil and salt combination for heat stain removal is essentially the same as using a more concentrated version of mayonnaise. The oil penetrates the wood and opens the pores, while the salt dries them out, lowering the overall moisture content of the wood and reducing the discoloration caused by heat stains.

Any type of olive or vegetable oil can be used for this method. Mix the oil and salt into a viscous paste and apply it to the stain. Let it sit on the stain for an hour, and then wipe off the excess. Repeat as necessary.

Sanding

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While sanding wood furniture is a highly effective method for removing heat stains, it should be a last resort because it is the most time-consuming, requires the most skill, and poses the greatest risk to your furniture if you make a mistake. Unlike when finishing a piece of furniture, you should not use a powerful circular sander for this because the abrasive pads can damage portions of the finish that aren’t stained.

Use a handheld sanding block to gently grind the stain down. Once you can’t see the stain anymore, remove as much dust as you can and reapply the finish so it matches the rest of the piece.

How to Prevent Heat Stains on Wood

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There are numerous ways to prevent heat stains, and since removing stains takes time, prevention is worth the investment. Use practical items such as coasters for mugs, trivets for pots and pans, and placemats for general use will help you proactively fight heat stains. These home decor accessories  also give you a chance to add some extra style to your wood furniture. In a pinch, you can even place a potholder or oven mitt underneath hot items on wood surfaces, as well.

Final Thoughts

Removing heat stains from wood isn’t difficult, and it’s a good skill to have on hand. Furniture is costly, and although it’s designed to be used all the time, even the highest quality pieces are susceptible to a well-intentioned guest’s piping hot coffee mug or an overzealous sous-chef’s sizzling skillet. Being able to remove heat stains from wood as soon as they appear will save you time and money in the long run.

Using a bit of heat is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to remove heat stains from wood furniture. It’s recommended to always use this method before considering one of the above alternative techniques to finish the job.