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How to Remove Heat Stains from Wood Furniture: The EASY Way

Try this EASY 1-minute fix to Remove Heat Stains from Wood furniture. You really can get rid of heat marks on wood with this quick DIY!

How to Remove Heat Stains From Wood Furniture

I know, I know. Most of my posts are full of pretty pictures. I usually show you how to remodel your house, build furniture, and clean everything.

But sometimes we need to fix things too. Like my steps to Fix Your Rusty Dishwasher Rack or How to Fix Water Stains from Ceiling Leaks. Today’s fix is How to Remove Heat Stains from Wood Furniture.

We’ve all seen those heat marks on wood. Some people think that white heat mark is permanent and they’ll need to replace that furniture or paint over it.

Image of a white heat stain on wood for a post about how to remove heat marks from wood furniture.

But, there’s an easy fix that works for most of these marks. And, strange as it sounds, that fix is steam!

Seems like that would only make things worse. But, watch my video below and you’ll see exactly how it worked on the pizza box mark that was left on my Dining Room table.

What You’ll Need

Good news, you probably already have everything you need to remove heat stains on wood tables.

  • A Tea Towel or Similar Cloth (old pillowcase or sheets with out texture)
  • An Iron Filled and Set to Steam

Please Note: I cannot guarantee that this DIY will work to remove heat marks on wood, in every case.

It will work for most, but use your best judgement. This is an attempt to save your furniture.

DIY Steps and Video for how to quickly and easily remove those white heat marks on wood. how to remove heat stains from wood table. #HeatStains #HeatMarks
The heat mark is gone! This table is ready for those holiday parties. Check out my DIY Simple Coffered Ceiling, for more DIY projects from my Dining Room.

If you have a soft, thick varnish finish: Be sure to not use a textured towel, only apply the iron for a few seconds at a time, start without steam to see if that works.

Those older soft finishes take on texture and imprints easily. So, use caution and your best judgement.

How to Remove Heat Marks from Wood

Step One

Start by filling your iron with tap water. Then turn it on and set to Steam. Wait a few minutes for it to heat up.

Step Two

Find a clean dry tea towel or similar fabric. Make sure that it doesn’t have any vinyl decals, scratchy embroidery or embellishments, or bleeding colors.

Image of someone using an iron on heat stains on wood.

Step Three

Fold the towel up and set it on the mark. You can see how I do all of the steps for how to remove heat stains from wood furniture in the video below.

Step Four

Apply the iron and press the steam button while slightly moving around on the mark for about 10 seconds.

Using a steam iron to remove a white heat mark on a wood table.

Step Five

Pull iron away and wipe the spot dry to check your progress.

Step Six

As long as it’s not getting worse (which I’ve never seen or heard of, but there’s probably a situation where it might) keep repeating steps 4 and 5 until the mark is gone. Will likely take 10-15 sets.

How to use a steam iron to repair heat marks on wood.

Are Heat Stains On Wood Permanent?

Most heat stains on wood aren’t permanent. There are a few popular ways to remove heat marks (aka heat stains).

Check out this video to see how easy it is to use an iron, a blow dryer and five more ways to get rid of a heat stain.

Testing 7 EASY Ways To Get A Heat Stain Out Of Wood! 🤓 Clean With Me


That’s it for how to remove heat stains from wood furniture! Time to throw that holiday or dinner party to show off that table! Check out Testing 7 Easy Ways To Get A Heat Stain Out Of Wood for more options.

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How to Fix White Heat Marks on Wood Tables. If you've ever left a hot pizza box on a wood table, you've probably had this happen. Luckily there is a pretty quick fix for how to remove heat stains on wood furniture. And, all you need is an iron to fix it.
Don’t forget to Save this DIY on Pinterest.

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Feeling inspired? Now that you’ve read my steps for how to remove heat stains from wood furniture, have fun and let me know if you have questions.

Or post pictures of your work and tag Abbotts At Home on FB, I’d love to see it!

How to Remove Heat Stains from Wood Furniture

DIY Steps and Video for how to quickly and easily remove those white heat marks on wood. how to remove heat stains from wood table. #HeatStains #HeatMarks
Did you leave something like a hot Pizza Box on your wood table? There’s an easy fix to remove heat stains from wood furniture.

Tools

  • Steam Iron

Instructions

Please Note: I cannot guarantee that this DIY will work to remove heat stains from wood furniture, in every case. It will work for most, but use your best judgement. This is an attempt to save your furniture. You accept the responsibility for this fix. Read the full disclaimer for my DIY here.

If you have a soft, thick varnish finish: Be sure to not use a textured towel, only apply the iron for a few seconds at a time, start without steam to see if that works. Those older soft finishes take on texture and imprints easily. So, use caution and your best judgement.

  1. Start by filling your iron with tap water. Then turn it on and set to Steam. Wait a few minutes for it to heat up.
  2. Find a clean dry tea towel or similar fabric. Make sure that it doesn’t have any vinyl decals, scratchy embroidery or embellishments, or bleeding colors.
  3. Fold the towel up and set it on the mark. You can see how I do all of the steps for how to remove heat stains from wood furniture in the video below.
  4. Apply the iron and press the steam button while slightly moving around on the mark for about 10 seconds.
  5. Pull iron away and wipe the spot dry to check your progress.
  6. As long as it’s not getting worse (which I’ve never seen or heard of, but there’s probably a situation where it might) keep repeating steps 4 and 5 until the mark is gone. Will likely take 10-15 sets.

Notes

We’ve all seen those heat marks on wood. Some people think that mark is permanent and they’ll need to replace that furniture or paint over it. But, there’s an easy fix that works for most of these marks. And, strange as it sounds, that fix is steam!

Seems like that would only make things worse. But, watch my video below and you’ll see exactly how it worked on the pizza box mark that was left on my Dining Room Table.

Sandra

Wednesday 3rd of January 2018

I've used this method for years on various pieces of furniture that I have purchased from yard sales or thrift stores. The white mark is because moisture has become trapped in the finish. I use a DRY iron, not steam. One caution: if your furniture piece has a heavy coat of varnish, shellac, etc. on it, be sure to keep moving your iron around and not leave it in one spot. The heat from the iron may soften the finish and your towel may become embedded in the finish making the problem worse. Also, I make sure that my towel has little to no texture/nap which could also leave marks in the softened finish. I try to use lint free cotton towels or cheap paper towels that have no texture or printed patterns on them.

This method also works for removing candle wax from carpets, table cloths, etc. It will remove the wax but may not remove the colored dye that was in the candle wax.

Stephanie

Wednesday 3rd of January 2018

Really good tips! So glad you commented. I can see how an old thick varnish would mess up if the heat is applied too long or with a textured towel.Thanks!

harropaj

Monday 18th of December 2017

What a great tip thank you for sharing

Stephanie

Tuesday 19th of December 2017

You're so welcome!

Debrashoppeno5

Wednesday 13th of December 2017

Thank you for the info. I am always messing up stuff.

Stephanie

Thursday 14th of December 2017

You're welcome!

Ivory

Tuesday 12th of December 2017

Thank you for THS post, it's so well needed and appreciated. Happy Holidays

Stephanie

Tuesday 12th of December 2017

Thanks so much, Ivory!

Kristin

Sunday 10th of December 2017

Thank you for this helpful post. I have some spots that I need to remove from my table! Pinned for later! I blog at https://www.peppermintsandcherries.com/. I recently followed you on Pinterest and Facebook and would love for you to follow me! Pinterest... https://www.pinterest.com/mintsandacherry/boards/ Facebook... https://m.facebook.com/Kristins-Peppermints-and-Cherries-138484113480210/

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