Mamas, I am just sick at the fact that my dining room table is possibly ruined. We had a dinner party last night, and two of the guests put their hot bowl (paper bowl) of food directly on the table! I was not eating in that room so I didn't see it happen to begin with. I saw it well after dinner. I was sick. I specifically put a tablerunner and placemats on the table so that doesn't happen! It is an all wood table with a beautiful criss-cross pattern on the top with inlays. It is cherry, not sure if it is cherry veneers or solid cherry. It appears that maybe the varnish or Pledge polish was scorched? It left a white, milky ring on the table. And yes we have tried rubbing it out with Pledge, and no luck. Does anyone know how to fix this? I would appreciate any feedback you may have, thanks.
I just want to thank everyone for your comments and help. I FIXED IT!!! I first tried the mayonnaise and then the mayonnaise and salt-didn't work. Then I tried the iron and steam method and it worked!!! I am so excited! There were two spots and the one spot I tried the mayo on looks like there is a remnant of that on there, but you have to look pretty hard. Anyway, thank you to all who responded!
Do not do anything drastic before trying to rub the white ring out with mayonnaise and salt. When I was in college in a home management house we rubbed out numerous white rings this way. It does take some really firm rubbing.
If the finish has been altered fixing it takes some skill so you may want to call a woodworker. First try some steel wool with furniture oil. If it is something stuck to the wood that will take it off without harming the finish.
The beauty of wood is it can be refinished and pretty much is never ruined.
Please tell me your friend offered to pay to fix it. Not putting hot items on wood is pretty much a no brainer.
I posted this exact (well almost) same question several months ago!
After trying several home remedies I found this product:
"Homax Furniture White Ring Remover"
Got it at the hardware store, and it totally works.
It does take a little time and elbow grease, so be prepared to work on it for a while :)
Hope you can find it, good luck!
ETA: my table is solid cherry, and the product didn't affect the finish at all
Check Hints with Heloise. I have heard that mayo helps. Check first though.
if it's real wood, you MIGHT be able to sand it out and revarnish it.
Call a wood worker or a furniture repair/restoration. I know you don't want to claim this on your insurance - but you might be able to get references from your insurance company as well.
GOOD LUCK!
Hire a professional.
We had a party here recently.
ON our wood table, I put a sign "Please use coasters under your drinks or hot plates, to prevent damage to the wood." And I had PLENTY of coasters, on the table.
My kids even know not to do that.
But some adults don't think.
Again, hire a Professional to fix your table.
If you experiment trying to fix it, you could make it worse.
Especially since the table has inlays in it.
Look into old english lemon oil or tinted lemon oil furniture polish. this should be in the same place as say pledge but you rub it in. I've used this to protect minor scratches in solid wood headboards. and I always use the lemon oil on solid wood furniture.
This is the time to hire a professional! It will surely be worth the money. I hear there are some wonderful furniture people in Kansas. I hope some of them are near you.
