How Do I Remove Water Stains From Unfinished Wood?

Provide the area you will be working in with adequate ventilation. Open doors and windows and--if possible--run a fan. Wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your skin from irritation that may occur when using oxalic acid.

Pour equal parts distilled water and oxalic acid into a microwave safe glass jar. Oxalic acid is also known as wood bleach.

Place the microwave safe glass jar inside your microwave. Heat the jar on high for 30-second intervals until the contents are warm. The contents must be kept warm during the water stain removal process. Be careful when removing the jar from the microwave because it will be hot.

Saturate a clean paintbrush into the mixture. Spread the mixture onto the water stains with the paintbrush. Allow the water-bleach mixture to air dry on the unfinished wood. If necessary, repeat the process until you the water stains are no longer visible.

Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water. Add 3 oz. of borax and mix together with a wooden spoon. Dampen a cloth in the mixture and wipe the unfinished wood. The mixture will neutralize the wood bleach.

Dampen a clean cloth with cool water and rinse the unfinished wood. Use a piece of fine sandpaper to gently sand the unfinished wood. Oxalic acid can cause the wood grain to rise.