Morning coffee at the coffee table or a mug of tea at your desk will sooner or later leave dark rings and drips. Wipe up a spill straight away and there will be almost no trace. A dried stain, however, bonds with the finish, and an ordinary damp cloth no longer shifts it.
For fresh and light marks, kitchen staples such as vinegar and baking soda are enough. For dark, set-in stains that leave a dull patch even after cleaning, use WD-40, which also restores an even sheen to the surface.
What you will need
Important: This method is for varnished, painted and laminated surfaces. Unfinished wood and waxed tabletops absorb liquids, so test any product on a hidden area first, such as the underside of the top.
Step 1
Mop up fresh coffee
As soon as it is spilled, blot the coffee with a paper towel without spreading it across the table. Then wipe the area with a damp cloth followed immediately by a dry one. That way a stain simply has no time to form.
Step 2
Recent dry stains: vinegar
For a recently dried stain on varnished wood, pour up to a teaspoon of white vinegar over it and leave for a couple of minutes. Once the stain dissolves, wipe the area with a cloth and let the surface dry completely.
Vinegar can leave slight stickiness or faint dull marks, so for valued furniture it is better to move straight on to the next steps.
Step 3
Light outlines: baking soda solution
Mix one part baking soda into warm water. Apply the solution to the stain with a white cloth in circular motions, without pressing hard so you do not scratch the varnish. Leave it for a few minutes, then wipe off with paper towels.
Step 4
Old stains: WD-40
Treat dark stains and rings that have survived several cleanings with WD-40 Multi-Use. Spray a small amount directly onto the stain or, for neat work near the edges, onto the cloth. For small spots, the straw of WD-40 Smart Straw is handy.
Wait a minute for the product to soften the dried residue, then wipe the stain away with a clean cloth.
Step 5
Buff the surface
Go over the whole tabletop with a dry microfibre cloth to remove any excess product. WD-40 leaves a thin layer that evens out the look of the finish and brings back its natural sheen, and dust and new drips cling less easily.
On a table you eat at, wipe again afterwards with a damp cloth and a drop of washing-up liquid, then dry.
Tip: Use coasters and do not put hot drinks directly on varnish. In winter, when central heating dries the air indoors, varnish cracks more easily and coffee can seep deeper into tiny cracks.
What next
Wipe the table after every coffee break and use WD-40 when stubborn stains appear. The same WD-40 Multi-Use also quietens squeaky furniture hinges and frees sticking drawers.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».