How can I quickly fix my West Elm coffee table after accidentally leaving Dawn dish soap on it, or how can I fix it properly later without damaging it further before my guests arrive on Thursday?
Asked by Elsa Nikula 
7 months ago
Last Updated: April 26, 2024
Hey there! So, I kinda had a little mishap with my coffee table… I sprayed some Dawn dish soap on it to clean it, but got sidetracked when my baby woke up from a nap. When I finally got back to it about 10-20 minutes later, I wiped it off and now it looks super weird 😢 Any quick fixes for this? I’ve got company coming over on Thursday. If not, how should I go about fixing this later on? It seems like the finish or something got messed up, because it definitely didn’t look like this before. It’s a West Elm coffee table that I’ve had for less than a year, so I’m feeling pretty bummed about it.
You can try lightly sanding the surface and look for a stain that closely resembles one of the colors in the wood grain. Remember to work quickly and apply the stain in light passes, wiping off any excess immediately. Let it dry before applying a clear coat.
Thanks, ! I thought that was the best solution.
You got this, ! It won’t take you long at all.
Hey , any suggestions on what grit I should use for sanding?
If you want to use a fine sand paper, I would go for 220 or higher.
Thanks a lot!
^This. Just grab a cheap disposable table cloth for the time being and then address the issue after the party.
Seems like dawn devoured the finish/color. How about adding a festive Christmas table runner for now?
Dawn power wash contains rubbing alcohol. It can damage the finish.
Ugh, I was completely unaware of that! It all makes sense now.
On the flip side, if alcohol caused damage to the finish, using denatured alcohol on 000 steel wool might be the solution.
I ended up doing the same thing with my outdoor table and now it has patches all over it.
I’m crossing my fingers that I can make it better. I’ve been really cautious about not using anything too harsh on it. I’m so frustrated with myself, LOL.
Accidentally made a mistake when the kids got window paint all over the table from doing window art. I thought using power wash would help remove the paint, but it ended up affecting the finish. It’s not too severe, but definitely noticeable. I’ve been extra careful about what I clean it with since our table was quite expensive. I’m so frustrated with myself! If only I could turn back time and undo that! Haha.
Sand, stain, wipe, clearcoat – should only take a few hours. As for finding a matching stain, that’s a mystery to me! 🏃♂️
Apply some mineral oil to polish and buff the surface for now. However, you will eventually need to refinish it.
Hey, remember not to use products with petroleum-based solvents on wood furniture.
Sand the surface gently and apply a rub on stain/polyurethane finish.
If the company starts causing trouble, they can just go back home. Ain’t nobody got time for that, especially with a baby around.
You might want to reach out to West Elm and Proctor & Gamble to see if they have a solution.
If not, you’ll have to sand and refinish the floor.
That product contains denatured alcohol and butyl cellosolve. Essentially, it acts as a finish stripper. It can remove various finishes.
Works wonders on dishes
If you plan on staining it again, consider using a pre stain product. This will saturate the grains for even staining and condition the wood post-sanding. Afterwards, seal it with a food-safe product over the stain. You might also consider stripping it before sanding to remove old products for less sanding. Follow up with light sanding, a cleaner, tac cloth, pre-stain, stain, steel wool or gentle sanding with the grain, tac cloth, and several light coats of sealant with sanding in between.
Oh, interesting! Dawn Power Spray can be quite harsh.
In the future, you can clean wood without using strong cleaners or soaps. Just mix a little vinegar and water on a cloth to wipe down your furniture. Remember not to spray directly on the table. I use this method to clean my pottery barn wooden furniture: 3 tablespoons of white vinegar per cup of water.
Nice to learn about this!
Right now, you’re able to use a restorer to wipe it down
I’d totally give it a Retique! Check out https://www.retiqueit.net
Spritz the remaining parts of the table, allow it to sit for a bit, then gently wipe it down for a uniform result.
Undo with the Command-Z shortcut
You should give the olive oil and vinegar method a shot and see if it works. I was surprised by how well it worked on a few items we had. It’s worth a try. https://www.ambientefurniture.com/blog/restore-wood-furniture/
I’ve never come across this before. Quite intriguing.
It’s effective if the finish is clouded but not removed.
Consider using orange or lemon oil wood polish. Be cautious with restorers, especially around children.
I think it got ‘bleached’ by the peroxide in it.
The Dawn power wash contains denatured alcohol that effectively removes oils, varnishes, and paints.
Here’s a quirky tip – try using WD40 on a small area with a microfiber cloth. Really work it in and see if it makes a difference. Yes, I know it’s typically used for locks, but it’s surprisingly versatile and often helps with the most unexpected problems, haha. And if all else fails, just cover it with a tablecloth *wink*
I tried this product and it worked wonders on my old cabinets in my previous home. I believe it removes the old varnish and leaves a fresh coat behind. Here’s a link for the cherry version, but it also comes in clear, which is what I used: [Amazon link provided].
Really enjoys this stuff!
Is a fan
My new stove got the numbers and letters removed. 😠
Gently sand and refinish before sealing
The weathered appearance is very popular right now. I took care of it for you!
Rub the walnuts gently
Give Murphy oil or cutting board oil a shot.
Mayonnaise is our go-to. Let the mayo air dry for at least overnight. Keep reapplying as needed. If necessary, add a clear coat or lightly sand and refinish.
Give Minwax gel stain a shot, it could be the solution you’re looking for.
This story is about my company – an employee sprayed something on a wooden table and left it there. I tried using old English wood oil and Murphys wood oil! I was skeptical, was almost about to replace a $3,000 kitchen table 🫠
After cleaning the entire table, apply Howard Restor-a-Finish to restore it.
Absolutely! Restore-A-Finish is seriously incredible.
Avoid using gel stain if possible.
I swear by the beeswax I purchase at ACE hardware store. It truly performs wonders.
I’m not sure how to resolve this issue, but remember to dilute blue dawn with water when using it for cleaning purposes other than dishes. I personally mix approximately 1 part dawn with 6 parts water in a spray bottle.
Dawn definitely knows her stuff. When I first moved into my place, the shower was disgusting. I attempted to clean it with vinegar and strong cleaning spray, but nothing worked. Then, I mixed equal parts dawn and vinegar in a spray bottle, and the grime came off easily.
https://a.co/d/3OgDa4N
Before you consider refinishing, why not try using oil first with a soft cloth? Coconut oil or olive oil could do the trick on real wool.
First, give this a shot: place a thin towel on top and then use an iron (without steam). Moisture may seep beneath the surface and create a white fog.
I completely agree with this
‘t forget to rub some olive oil on the table before you put down the cloth to iron. It really does wonders.
Perhaps we could try sanding and refinishing. I’ve found that Dawn power wash is quite powerful – it even removed hair dye from my countertop after it had been sitting for over 24 hours.
Apply soap generously over the entire table and then wipe it off after 20 minutes.
Give Restore A Finish a try
Unfortunately, none of these suggestions will be effective. The stain has been removed from the wood, so you’ll have to sand it down and reapply the stain.
Try using Scott’s Liquid Gold spray for a fast solution.
Make sure to pick up a table runner with a basket, and then you can refinish it once the Christmas season is over.