Hardwood Artisans, which makes and sells furniture, tells how to remove stubborn water rings from your wood furniture.

Dennis Pinkerton, manager of the Alexandria, Va., store, advised that the area first be cleaned with a small amount of Murphy’s Oil Soap and warm water. Then pour a dime-size dab of good English oil (he uses Watco Rejuvenating Oil) on a soft rag and rub it directly into the stain.

If that doesn’t work, try gently rubbing a steel wool pad moistened with oil on the stain.