Weekly Flylady Thread 17th March 2025

Honey_Bear

Is there a Flylady or anyone who can help me with a problem I've created?

I have a lovely antique table which has been polished and polished and polished until it's got the most wonderful patina.  Or at least, it had.  Unfortunately it's a low table and people kept sitting on it, so we put a pot plant on it to show that it was a table and hurrah, it hasn't been sat on since.  BUT I watered it and then over-watered it and didn't realise the water had pooled underneath the table cover. 

The wood has gone white.  Not just a ring, pretty much the whole tabletop. 

Can anyone suggest how I can get the patina back?  Would polishing it over and over again eventually build it up or is there another treatment I need to give it first?

I discovered this a few weeks ago and I've been too embarrassed to ask for advice but everywhere on t'internet seems to think that the only marks that need fixing on polished furniture are white rings.  This isn't a ring, it's about two feet by a foot.

eltee2

eltee2 said:

Possibly more later...

Did another 2 lots of washing - mostly line dried, just a bit of finishing for 10 mins or so in TD. 

Spent a couple of hours either side of lunch blasting through DSNXRoD & got lots done.  Turns out there's a floor AND a bed in there 🤔

kazwookie

HB, it sounds like it needs sanding down, then polishing up with French polish or similar.  Others suggest baking soda on a cloth and rubbing it in, or a bit of toothpaste, on a soft cloth. I have no idea if any work, if you are going to try something like the above do it in an area what is not really seen. Do you have a 'men in sheds' near you, taking it there for advise might be an idea.

Hoovering done

Kitchen done

Side panels in kitchen all cleaned over with cif and dried off

Honey_Bear

Thanks Kaz for your suggestions.  I've read around the subject a lot, but what I haven't found is anyone who actually knows how to deal with it. 

I've dealt with my In Tray by throwing most of it away.  If it's important people will get in touch again, I'm sure.

Fayolle

Sorry, HB, I’ve had a search through various useful books etc, but can’t find anything other than polishing.  When you find, please share as I have a cabinet with 2 squares of white on, usefully hidden by a mat.
I have achieved something today although it feels like I’ve been pottering. Decluttered a blood test first thing, then off to the allotment to dig and then plant the early potatoes. Came home with a bag of kale, which is the last of the crop, as I needed the plants gone. I am operating in MAD mode at the allotment, 2 hour stints on a specific job, and it’s looking ok so far. As long as I only look in one direction, anyway.
2 loads washed and dried outside, I even ironed the tablecloths from the  weekend’s shindig, and the guest room bedding.
I pottered around the garden for an hour or so this afternoon. Easy veggie curry for dinner, I have made naans as I have an excess of yoghurt. DH has been wallpaper stripping in the utility room, it’s ready for the builders to hopefully start next week🤞.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

Kaz I have been there, it's hard.  Make sure you are looking after yourself xx

Lots going on here, DH has had no luck with jobs so is thinking about going partly self employed again.  No decisions made as yet.  Had a long chat with my brother today he seems a bit down.  He has had MH issues before, I guess I can only keep checking in with him and encourage him to talk. 

Flying wise I have done a little every day which I am pleased with.  I am at a conference on Friday so it will be a full on day, hoping I can get a lift so I don't have to drive. 

Valli

pegged out washing. brought washing in put recycling bin out emptied dw reloaded wm

HB sorry can’t help.  Villa Valli is devoid of antiques

Skint_yet_Again

Hope you don’t mind me delurking to let you know I once saw will kirk from the repair shop use mayonnaise for water marks. Just search for him and mayonnaise online. I’ve never tried it. 

eltee2

Morning all

The interweb will probably crash with everyone searching for WK in mayo 🤭🫢🫣

We're out later, so minimal flying today

20 min walk
CS volunteering
Pick up order from Emm & Ess
Open windows
Strip bed, bedding to WM
Clean mirrors & windows
✔️Empty bin
Remake bed
S&S kitchen

🌞

MadamMim2013

Honey_Bear said:

Is there a Flylady or anyone who can help me with a problem I've created?

I have a lovely antique table which has been polished and polished and polished until it's got the most wonderful patina.  Or at least, it had.  Unfortunately it's a low table and people kept sitting on it, so we put a pot plant on it to show that it was a table and hurrah, it hasn't been sat on since.  BUT I watered it and then over-watered it and didn't realise the water had pooled underneath the table cover. 

The wood has gone white.  Not just a ring, pretty much the whole tabletop. 

Can anyone suggest how I can get the patina back?  Would polishing it over and over again eventually build it up or is there another treatment I need to give it first?

I discovered this a few weeks ago and I've been too embarrassed to ask for advice but everywhere on t'internet seems to think that the only marks that need fixing on polished furniture are white rings.  This isn't a ring, it's about two feet by a foot.

Hi Honey_Bear, I read in one of Nancy Birtwhistle’s books that she uses her home made cream cleaner to remove white marks from wood.
Think it’s a mix of bicarb, veg glycerin & washing up liquid.. 
If you search for her she does have a website or you may find it on g\@gle under her name & white wood stain.

Hope it works 🤞🏼