How to get rid of stains and marks on wooden furniture

Alcohol spots and watermarks can be removed with a cream metal polish (test on an inconspicuous area first), then faded areas can be disguised with ash or shoe polish; grease marks on unsealed wood can be sprinkled with good old talc, which you then cover with kitchen paper and press with a warm iron to absorb the grease; fill in small scratches with matching colored wax crayon or shoe polish.