- Blot up any fresh liquid with a paper towel or absorbent rag. Don't wipe -- you'll only force the dye deeper into the finish or the wood grain.
- Wipe the affected area with a solution of dish soap per gallon of warm water. ...
- Rub the spot with wax or linseed oil to remove any alcohol residue in the finish. ...
- Sand the finish off the affected area -- using 120-grit sandpaper -- if the alcohol/dye combination has penetrated the finish and soaked into the wood.
- Spread full-strength household bleach over the discolored area; let it soak in and wait overnight. ...
- Sand by hand, going with the grain of the wood, using 120-grit sandpaper. ...
- Replace the finish by brushing or spraying it. Apply one coat, let it dry; scuff it with 220-grit sandpaper, and apply a second coat.
How do you get alcohol out of a wooden table top?
Wipe up any fresh rubbing alcohol that may be on the tabletop, using a clean rag. Moisten another clean rag with linseed oil and rub the alcohol stain to remove as much of the stain as possible. Inspect the tabletop for the alcohol stain.
Can you use rubbing alcohol on wood furniture?
A spill, splatter or even dampness from the bottom of a bottle or a rag with rubbing alcohol residue can instantly mar the finish on wood. It may also damage lacquered or painted wood furniture. Sop up the rubbing alcohol immediately. The longer it's in contact with the wood, the more damage the rubbing alcohol does.
What happens when you put alcohol on wood?
The white stains that appear on wood after alcohol touches it are actually damage to the sealant on the wood, not to the wood itself. However, this problem may not require refinishing the wood.
Does isopropyl alcohol stain wood?
Isopropyl alcohol doesn't leave a stain like a red wine would. It's colorless. The harm comes from its ability to liquefy common wood finishes, such as varnish and furniture stain.
Step 1
Wipe up any fresh rubbing alcohol that may be on the tabletop, using a clean rag.
Step 2
Moisten another clean rag with linseed oil and rub the alcohol stain to remove as much of the stain as possible.
Step 3
Inspect the tabletop for the alcohol stain. If the blemish remains, add 2 oz. of rottenstone to a bowl. Pour 2 drops of linseed oil into the rottenstone and mix the paste thoroughly.
Step 4
Rub the paste onto the alcohol stain, using another clean rag to rub with the wood grain.
Step 5
Spray the tabletop with furniture polish. Using another clean rag, buff the table until it shines.
How to get alcohol out of wood?
Rub the spot with wax or linseed oil to remove any alcohol residue in the finish. If the stain is old, and you some abrasive action; mix the wax or linseed oil with rottenstone and rub with the grain of the wood. Use lemon oil or mineral oil as alternatives to wax or linseed oil.
Why does alcohol stain wood?
Pure alcohol evaporates from wood without leaving a stain, so if you're worried about an alcohol stain on a table or dresser, it's because: You spilled an alcoholic drink that contains other ingredients that can stain or leave residue, including dyes, juices or sugar. The alcohol damaged the wood finish -- not the wood itself.
How to get rid of discolored sand?
Spread full-strength household bleach over the discolored area; let it soak in and wait overnight. If you notice an improvement in the morning, but some color remains, repeat the treatment. If you don't notice a change, bleaching probably won't work, and your last resort is to sand and scrape.
How to sand wood with 120 grit sandpaper?
Sand by hand, going with the grain of the wood, using 120-grit sandpaper. If the stain is deep, use a pull scraper to remove the top layers of wood; then keep sanding.
Can alcohol damage wood?
The alcohol damaged the wood finish -- not the wood itself. In the first case, the solution could be as simple as rubbing the stain with more clear alcohol to redissolve and remove it, although you may have to resort to bleach in some cases. Damage to the wood finish usually requires removal of the damaged finish and application of a new one.
Can you bleach wood with wine?
If it's wine, it isn't the alcohol you have to worry about, but the grape juice, which acts like a dye and sinks deeper into the wood pores. You may have to bleach the wood to get it out.
What happens if you spill alcohol on wood?
A spill, splatter or even dampness from the bottom of a bottle or a rag with rubbing alcohol residue can instantly mar the finish on wood. It may also damage lacquered or painted wood furniture.
How to match a color with rubbing alcohol?
In the case of rubbing alcohol that has dried on the furniture, make a paste of equal parts linseed oil and rottenstone, a gentle abrasive. Rub the paste in the direction of the grain with a soft cloth. Hardware and paint suppliers sell these ingredients.
Is rubbing alcohol toxic?
Keep the bottle on a tray with sides that will hold spilled liquid when you're using rubbing alcohol. Store it away from sources of heat and flame, and out of reach of children. In addition to posing a hazard to your furniture, rubbing alcohol is flammable and toxic.
Does rubbing alcohol stain wood?
Image Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock/Getty Images. Rubbing alcohol, also called isopropyl alcohol, poses a hazard to most wood furniture finishes. Even in small quantities, such as spatter drops, rubbing alcohol does more than leave a stain on wood.
How to remove a stain from wood?
Steps to Remove the Stain: Put a few drops of cooking oil on a cloth. Lemon oil or other traditional wood oils can also be used. Gently rub the oil over the stain. It may take a minute of rubbing the oil in for the stain to fully disappear. Add more oil to the cloth if needed. Once the stain is gone, wipe off the excess oil with a dry part ...
What to do if you don't have oil on hand?
If the method above does not remove the stain or if you don’t have any oil on hand, try using furniture polish. If both oil and furniture polish do not remove the stain, the area will need to be refinished. This isn’t as difficult as it sounds though.