How can I remove white heat marks from my rosewood sideboard. It appears to be laquered and I have tried the old fashioned methods i.e toothpaste, cigarette ash but to no avail.

A Legge, December 2008

I recently successfully removed a white ring from my dining room table (caused by a hot dish left on a cork mat) with a mixture of mayonnaise and fireplace ashes. I put on a liberal amount, left it overnight and when I removed it the light ring had disappeared, the table looked perfect.

M. S., December 2008