Stain on cherry wood worksurface

[Ixia]

Hi. We've got solid cherry worksurfaces finished with Osmo topoil. Despite spilling various stuff (red wine etc) we've been lucky up until now. A bottle of Cif cream cleanser got knocked over last night, I didn't notice until this morning, it's left the stains shown in the picture below. Is there any hope? I'm hoping that as the Cif is pale yellow, then it's just a water mark - but it shows no sign of shifting. I've tried layering talc on it to draw out any moisture - but no success.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Feltwell]

If all else fails, at least with a solid wood surface you could sand the affected areas down and re-oil them.

 

[Ixia]

I managed to sand out a balsamic vinegar stain from the beech worktops in our previous house, but it took quite bit of effort and there was still a ghost of the stain.I'm just really shocked that something like cream cleanser could leave such a dark mark. I really wanted to avoid sanding as the cherry has just mellowed into a lovely colour.

 

[JoceAndChris]

What a pity! I think I'd try hard rubbing with meths, and then a bit of light sanding in that just area. And refinishing.

 

[Penners]

Hello Ixia

If the above suggestions aren't effective, here are a couple of ideas to try (at your own risk):

1. Using a clean, damp cotton cloth, rub the stained areas with some toothpaste (just plain, white toothpaste - not the stripey stuff or gel). You may have to work at this quite hard. Wipe down until completely clean and then leave to dry. You may then have to re-finish. Toothpaste is a mild bleach and abrasive.

2. If that doesn't work, get a damp tea cloth (not wringing wet, but quite damp), lay it over the marks and then iron it with an iron set to steam temperature. Be very careful not to overdo this - the idea is to force some steam into the wood, but not to overheat it. Now remove the tea cloth and in its place use a piece of thick brown wrapping paper. Place it dull side down over the treated area and again iron over it. This will help to lift out the dampness caused by the tea cloth and - if you're lucky - will lift out the Cif with it. The brown paper absorbs the dampness.

Finally, leave the worktop to dry thoroughly before you judge whether or not the treatment has worked.

3. If that doesn't work, then I fear you may have to sand the surface to remove the marks, and then re-finish it.

Please let us know how you get on - others may find the outcome useful.

 

[AMc]

I'm just really shocked that something like cream cleanser could leave such a dark mark.

I've a nasty feeling that that's a chemical reaction rather than a Cif residue. Ordinary household cleaners can be very chemically potent - the granite fitters specifically told me not to put that brand of cleaner on or near my work tops (and mentioned citrus spills should be wiped up and washed down immediately).
If you have an offcut or access to the underside of the counter then I would start with a planned Cif stain that you can experiment on. If it turns out that the stuff has leeched through the grain then you'll only get heartache from sanding and refinishing.
Good luck!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Sorry about your worktop - looks nice and mellow otherwise.

But all may not be lost - If you look really hard it looks just like a picture of Jesus/Allah/Santa/The Flying Spaghetti Monster*

*insert deity/sky fairy of choice here!

 

[Penners]

If you look really hard it looks just like a picture of Jesus/Allah/Santa/The Flying Spaghetti Monster

Only after the fifth G&T.

 

[Ixia]

Thanks for the kind replies.
Unfortunatley, I think AMc might be right about the chemical reaction, so I'm going to experiment with an offcut and see how I get on.
Btw I was thinking jellyfish, UFO and a whale.

 

[Penners]

I'm going to experiment with an offcut

Very sensible.

 

[Zebra]

Come on! It's a guinea pig and a mouse having a conversation, with a flying piglet in the sky above right, and a slug bouncing off towards the left.

 

[Penners]

Whatever Zebra is on, could I have a glass or two as well, please?

 

[tobydog]

Whatever Zebra is on, I'm on it too. Totally agree and well spotted.

If anyone can see the Virgin Mary then they'll never get a better time of year to make a killing and finish off those renovations. Might have to dismantle the kitchen though!!.

 

[Zebra]

Yes tobydog! - someone is on my wavelength!! I think I was sober last night in fact... if I'd had a few it might have been a blurry guinea pig and a blurry mouse........etc