How do I clean a coffee table that sweated and molded in storage?

Janice
by Janice

We stored the lions share of our furniture after the sale of our home. Our coffee table had a velour blanket on top for protection. The SUPPOSED climate controlled storage units well, weren't, The blanket stuck to our coffee table. Now it is spotted. We have cleaned it with Murphy's Oil soap, no change, Pledge Multi Surface, no change and Endust, no change. HELP !!!!


  8 answers
  • This may sound crazy, Janice, but I would try mayonnaise. It will remove white water rings from wood, so maybe it will get this off. Put it on a soft cloth and rub with the grain. You may want to try leaving it on for a bit to let it work, too. Try it in a small spot first.


  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 15, 2019

    HI Janice,


    Sounds like you are going to have to sand and refinish it.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Dec 15, 2019

    I suspect the solution would be to sand and refinish the tabletop, the easiest way to have a uniform pleasing finish.

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Dec 15, 2019

    Janice: Elbow grease. Sand and refinish!

  • Unexpected Elegance Unexpected Elegance on Dec 15, 2019

    You could try cleaning and buffing with olive oil or mineral oil.

  • William William on Dec 15, 2019

    Try a 50/50 mix of warm water and vinegar. Vinegar kills mold spores.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Dec 18, 2019

    Mayonnaise has raw eggs in it. Olive oil also will go rancid. If you oil it, then use mineral oil, it is bio-stable.


    Chlorine bleach leaves a filmy residue and I would avoid that long removal process. Veneers can’t tolerate water-based cleaning without damage.


    I would sand it outside or in the garage with a N100 or P100 mask, as airborne mold next to one’s lungs is dangerous. I would use 250 grit and pay attention to the grain.

    Shop vac the top too.


    I would also threaten the storage-unit-owners with fraudulent advertising and have them pay for professional refinishing.




  • Sharon Sharon on Dec 20, 2019

    I would use vinegar or ammonia, then use a very fine 0000 steel wool to get it out of the wood pores, if it comes off, then spray with spar varnish and rub off with the fine steel wool again, then paste wax with a furniture wax. Buff with soft cloth