The Apple HomePod is leaving white rings on wood tables, but there’s a way to clean them off
If you own any wood furniture, you may want to rethink getting the recently released Apple HomePod. The high-tech smart speaker, similar to Amazon’s Alexa or the Google Home, dropped on February 9th — and it’s already getting blasted with one major user complaint on Twitter.
Unfortunately, if left on wood for any period of time, the HomePod will stain the wood surface, leaving a white mark where it was placed. “#homepod left rings on my wood furniture in less than 20 minutes of use,” Guy San Francisco shared in a tweet. “Thanks #apple I am glad a paid $400 to make perfect etched circles on my more expensive furniture. Guess I can not move it now to cover up the mark. Evil geniuses you are. #applesupport.”
This week, Wirecutter tried to get to the bottom of the issue and reached out to Apple for support.
Thankfully, the company came through with a promising solution to the HomePod problem.
“The marks can improve over several days after the speaker is removed from the wood surface,” Apple said in an e-mail to the site. In the same message, Apple added that customers should also “try cleaning the surface with the manufacturer’s suggested oiling method.”
Apple’s HomePod sounds excellent, but its can feel limited next to other smart speakers—Oh, and also it leaves white rings on wood surfaces. https://t.co/7UhQDmKnYK pic.twitter.com/rQJQoLAGzM
— Wirecutter (@wirecutter) February 14, 2018
According to Pocket-Lint, it’s not uncommon for the HomePod’s silicone base to leave rings due to chemical interactions with treated wood. “The HomePod had caused a white discolored ring to appear on the wood that some days later has faded,” the site reports. “Although still hasn’t completely disappeared.”
#homepod left rings on my wood furniture in less than 20 minutes of use. Thanks #apple I am glad a paid $400 to make perfect etched circles on my more expensive furniture. Guess I can not move it now to cover up the mark. Evil geniuses you are. #applesupport pic.twitter.com/eZng16barS
— Guy San Francisco (@Guyinsf415) February 10, 2018
Apple offered some care instructions in a statement:
"Wiping the surface gently with a soft damp or dry cloth may remove the marks. If marks persist, clean the surface with the furniture manufacturer’s recommended cleaning process. If you’re concerned about this, we recommend placing your HomePod on a different surface."
The product has only been out for a few days, so maybe given more time these creepy-looking rings will be gone for good. Until then, stock up on wood-treating oil or leave your HomePod on, you know, an alternative surface.