Start by grabbing a tube of traditional white toothpaste — do not use gel or whitening types — and squeeze a liberal amount on a clean, soft rag. Next, gently rub a small, discreet corner of the stain to test how your furniture will react to the toothpaste. If you don’t observe any damage or further discoloration to the wood, continue to rub the toothpaste on all of the white rings. Massage the toothpaste into the wood in the same direction as the grain without being too aggressive.
You should see the white circles lighten and eventually disappear as you progress; however, if you don’t notice a significant change, it may be time to switch from the rag to a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you opt for this method, scrub lightly and cap the brushing at no more than a minute. Toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive to buff out the watermarks; consequently, you shouldn’t have to scour continuously for long periods of time in order to see results. Once the marks are gone, wipe away any residual toothpaste with a clean cloth or paper towel, then apply a wood polish to make the surface shine.
To erase tougher milk-colored watermarks, increase toothpaste’s abrasive powers by mixing it with some baking soda. Use a 50/50 mixture and apply exclusively to the white rings to prevent the toothpaste/baking soda stain remover from distressing non-affected areas. Repeat the process if necessary.
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