How to Get Food Coloring Off a Wood Table

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Dyeing Easter eggs is one of food coloring's many uses.

You're sitting at your kitchen table dyeing Easter eggs with the kids and having a great time until it happens. The lid was left off one bottle of food coloring and splat! You now have a more colorful kitchen table. Even one rogue drop of food coloring can wreak havoc on your wood kitchen table. Don't go shopping for a replacement table just yet. With a little patience and the proper technique, you can have your wood tabletop looking as good as new.

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Step 1

Combine a teaspoon of dish detergent and two cups of hot water in a bucket. Agitate the water to create a lot of suds. You may need to add another teaspoon of dish detergent to get enough suds for cleaning.

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Step 2

Dip a washcloth into the suds and apply to the stain. Allow the suds to sit on the stain for at least two minutes before scrubbing. Scrub the stain in a circular motion with the washcloth. Continue scrubbing until you can barely see the spot.

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Step 3

Rinse the area with a clean washcloth and hot water. Make sure to remove all the soap suds. Wring out the washcloth and pat the area dry.

Step 4

Combine one part distilled white vinegar with two parts hot water in a bucket. Dip a clean washcloth into the solution and wring out all excess water from the cloth. Wipe the stained area to remove any remaining food coloring. Rinse the area thoroughly and pat dry with a clean cloth.

Step 5

Apply wood polish to the entire table to restore the wood's natural beauty.

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