How do I remove a stain from wood counter top?

Bonnie witlam
by Bonnie witlam
I had a potted plant on the IKEA kitchen cart. The wood is stained where it was, how can I clean it and/or make it less noticeable? I tried white vinegar and that helped a little, really little.
This is after I wiped with white vinegar. Then I also tried using a Mr. Clean magic sponge. It lightened a little.
I really don't want to have to stain the cart a darker color. Help, please!
  9 answers
  • Omniman Omniman on Jun 05, 2015
    well...water goes thu any wood (not like oil which sits 1/32nd" or so on top)....and stains right to the bottom in some cases...U can remove and replace the wood...or try BLEACH. All over to try and blend it...it should lighten it even more....try a small spot right on the stain...probably no finish there....its organic....bleach should do it
  • Kim Kilmer Kim Kilmer on Jun 05, 2015
    I have successfully taken black stains out of my wood floors using Barkeepers Friend cleanser. Love that stuff! You mix the cleanser with water to form a paste then apply it to the dark spots only. Cover with a piece of plastic wrap to keep it moist. I left mine on for 24 hours, then cleaned it off. The cleanser seems to absorb the dark stain into it and turned brown. Some spots were harder to get out than others, so I reapplied and each time the stain lightened up.
    • Susan E Susan E on Jun 07, 2015
      @Kim Kilmer My friend, Jessica, is moving into a home where the well water has a lot of iron. The bathroom stalls and tubs were stained BROWN. She used Barkeepers Friend, and they look almost new. I haven't used it yet, but I am sold on its effectiveness for sure. Also she tells me it was apply, wait, and wash off.
  • Blissful1 Blissful1 on Jun 05, 2015
    Before you try bleach try this method from a tried and true Martha Stewart formula. I used it on some deeply stained plants rings and it worked like a charm! Mix 3 parts linseed oil with 1 part turpentine. Pour equal amount of hot water into a separate jar and then slowly introduce the mixture of turpentine and linseed oil. Let the mixture sit; the turpentine and linseed oil (naturally warmed by the water) will rise to the top. This process activates the ingredients without the danger of heating oils on a flame. Dip a fine (#0000) steel wool into the mixture. Then, select a section of your item (or the spot) and gently rub with the steel wool, working section by section. Wipe off the residue with a dry, clean rag. Once you have cleaned an entire section (or the spot), apply pure linseed oil and wipe off with a clean, dry rag. Let dry, and avoid touching the piece for two days. http://www.marthastewart.com/249319/furniture-care-tips (video)
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jun 06, 2015
    You could always sand lightly and apply a darker stain to the non-stained part. Then apply poly to protect from further stains.
  • Arlene Fitzpatrick Arlene Fitzpatrick on Jun 07, 2015
    Seems obvious but have you tried letting lemon juice sit on the stain?
  • Omniman Omniman on Jun 07, 2015
    Try the bleach ..... it should work, its an organic stain....plant,right? SHOULD WORK almost immediately!
  • Jackie Prim Jackie Prim on Jun 08, 2015
    I will try the lemon juice Thanks Arlene :)
  • Bonnie witlam Bonnie witlam on Jun 10, 2015
    Ok, first I used regular peroxide on cotton balls, it lightened a little
  • Bonnie witlam Bonnie witlam on Jun 22, 2015
    Here's finished pics