How to Care for a Solid White-Oak Table

General Cleaning

• 1

  Remove any objects from your solid, white-oak table and place them to the side. Dust the table, including its underside and legs, with a soft cloth or piece of cheesecloth following the wood grain.

• 2

  Mix in a plastic container 1/2 cup mild nonalkaline soap and 2 cups warm water. Put on latex gloves to keep hands dry. Stir the soap mixture with a soft cloth. Wring out excess and scrub the table gently to remove any caked-on dirt and debris.

• 3

  Dry the table with a clean, soft cloth or piece of cheesecloth following the wood grain.

Watermark Removal

• 4

  Remove any objects from the oak table and place them to the side. Dust the spot containing the watermark with a soft cloth or piece of cheesecloth to remove any loose dust and dirt.

• 5

  Apply white toothpaste to the stain and gently rub the substance with the wood grain. You can also apply mayonnaise or vegetable oil to the watermark.

• 6

  Wipe the table dry with a clean, soft cloth or piece of cheesecloth.

White-Mark Removal

• 7

  Remove any objects from the solid white-oak table and place them to the side. Dust the spot containing the white mark with a soft cloth or piece of cheesecloth to remove any loose dust and dirt.

• 8

  Pour lighter fluid onto a clean, soft cloth. Wring out excess and gently rub the white mark following the wood grain.

• 9

  Mix in a plastic container 1/2 cup rottenstone and 1/2 cup vegetable oil. Stir the mixture with an old spoon. Rottenstone -- a decomposed siliceous limestone used for polishing -- is available at hardware, home-improvement and woodworking-supply stores.

• 10

  Dip a clean, soft cloth or piece of cheesecloth in the mixture, wring out excess and gently rub the area where the white mark was to remove any residue. Follow the wood grain.

• 11

  Wipe the table dry with a clean, soft cloth or piece of cheesecloth.