Evaporate trapped moisture with a hair dryer

Set a hair dryer to its warm (not hot) setting and hold it 6-8 inches from the water ring. Move it back and forth across the mark for 2-3 minutes, then check progress. Repeat in short sessions until the white ring fades.

Why It Works

Warm airflow gently evaporates the moisture trapped beneath the wood finish -- the same moisture that causes the cloudy white appearance. Lower heat is safer than an iron for delicate or unknown finishes.

Tips

• Avoid the high-heat setting -- excessive heat can soften or blister the finish
• This method is slower but lower risk than the iron method, making it a good first attempt
• Follow up with furniture polish or a light coat of paste wax to restore sheen