Safety is important in and around your house because even the best-behaved children can cause problems. They can accidentally spill drinks on your wood furniture or put in their mouths a wooden toy. Certain wood finishes will protect your furniture or wooden toys from damage by creating a hard outer layer that prevents scratches.
Every parent should be more concerned about their kids’ safety on some finishes which can endanger their health. So, which are the child safe wood finishes?
The article here will help you to find the best options and prevent you from making some common mistakes when purchasing wood finish.
What you need to know about child-safe wood finish
Most of the woodworkers try to show off the original beauty of the wood by just sanding it off, ensuring that the sharp edges and corners are smooth. However, some people prefer to use clear wood finishes that will keep the wood stain-free.
It also makes it easier to clean, improves the color of the grain. Clear finishes include oil finish, wax finish, and resin finish and here are more details about the clear finishes which you can use for your wooden furniture or toys.
Penetrating oil finish
You can use mineral oil to treat food preparation wooden surfaces or children’s wooden toys. The oil penetrates into the wood to bring out the wood color, making sure that it has its original outlooks. While some people use mineral oil to season cutting boards made of wood, it’s also suitable for use in wooden toys.
It takes time to dry up, so it’s a great idea to add a wax topcoat to ensure that it has a hard film. Make sure that you are purchasing the real oil because some of them have chemical driers, resins or thinners, which are not safe for kids. If you desire to thin the oil, you are better of using citrus solvent so that it remains non-toxic.
Wax finish
Wax finish is another great choice finish which you can use on children’s toys and furniture. Waxes have been used for years to improve wooden furniture and to protect them from stains.
It’s derived from natural ingredients to ensure the wood has a soft and silky feel. You can apply it directly onto the wood or over oil to add an extra protective barrier. Re-waxing is needed as it’s not durable, and the wax finish doesn’t suit places which have a lot of water.
Resin finish
Penetrating resin finish will soak into the wood to make the fibers hard, and it makes the wood have a natural look. The best part about resin is that it’s durable, easy to apply, and pretty easy to repair. While it dries clear, the wood will darken slightly.
This finish should be used on open-grained wood because it has to penetrate into the wood. Once you use a resin finish, it will be difficult to refinish in the future, so you have to choose the right one right from the beginning. This finish has various types such as lacquer, epoxy, polyurethane, and shellac.
You can use Lacquer and polyurethane in your kids’ toys, but always check if they are baby safe wood finish for the ages of your children.
1. Food Grade Mineral Oil
Food Grade Mineral Oil comes in a 16oz bottle and is suitable for use on household and industrial wooden items such as butcher blocks and cutting boards. It’s a food safe mineral oil, so you don’t have to worry about the health of your kids.
You can use it on wood to prevent it from drying out and it will prevent cracks from developing. The bottle has a spray nozzle to make it easier for you to apply it on the wood. It gives long life to the wood by sealing out moisture. It’s environmentally friendly and you can also use it on stainless steel appliances.
Pros
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It has a spray nozzle for easy application.
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It works well on butcher blocks and cutting boards by keeping them sealed and protected.
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It’s kids’ friendly as it is a food safe mineral oil.
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It’s a high-quality oil with the right ingredients that work well.
Cons
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The nozzle spray needs a bit of control because it sprays a lot of oil.
2. Pure Food Grade Mineral Oil USP
Pure Food Grade Mineral Oil comes in 32 oz bottle and is excellent on butcher blocks, cutting boards, and other kitchen appliances such as knives and stainless steel cleaner. This oil is food safe, making it great for use in a home where there are kids. It prevents your wooden items from drying out and no cracks will occur after you use it.
The oil seals out the moisture and odor to ensure that the wood is always in perfect condition and will last for many years. It is easy to use, and environmentally and bee friendly.
Pros
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It’s a versatile oil which you can use on various items such as cutting boards and stainless steel cleaner.
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The bottle has the right size which is easy to hold in one hand.
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It doesn’t leave behind any odor or taste to the food.
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It’s food safe, so you don’t have to worry about kids getting contamination.
Cons
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You need to purchase one that has an applicator for easy use.
3. Furniture Clinic Boiled Linseed Oil
Furniture Clinic Boiled Linseed Oil is treated with hot air to ensure that it dries quickly when you apply it on wooden items. The oil is available in 8.5 oz bottle and it will penetrate the wood to seal and protect the surface of the wood. It will leave the wood looking tough and beautiful with its slightly glossy finish.
You can use the oil on all types of wood and also on other household items such as concrete and terracotta tile. Some of the items you can use it on include kitchen and dining room furniture, coffee tables, and bedroom furniture.
It’s FDA certified and food grade, so it’s safe to use it around kids. The oil has a long shelf life and you can keep it in a cool and dry place in its container with the lid tightly closed.
Pros
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It can be used on most types of wood to give them durability.
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It’s easy to use and leaves no foul odor.
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It’s FDA approved and food grade, making it safe for kids.
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It has a long shelf life, so you can use it for many years.
Cons
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The oil is combustible, so make sure that used rags are well disposed of.
4. Leather Revive, Leather Conditioner & Milk Healing Balm
This wood finish has a dual function which is as a leather conditioner and healing balm. It’s used to moisturize and soften all the furniture made of leather. It comes in 8.8 oz bottle, which you can use on older leather which might crack.
It will soften the leather to prevent cracking to provide you with the deserved comfort. While fixing the aesthetic of your leather, it will also extend its life. This is a water-based oil emulsion which penetrates the surface to reach the fibers which become softer.
It’s suitable for use in leathers which are hard, brittle, and have become dry. Some of the items you can use it on include automotive interiors, home furniture, purses, and handbags.
Pros
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It’s easy to use and leaves a nice smell on the leather.
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It prevents the leather from cracking.
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It softens the fibers from the older leather furniture.
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It has dual functions of leather conditioner and healing balm.
Cons
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It might take several times of use to recondition other older leather furniture.
5. Chalk Mountain Brushes
Chalk Mountain Brushes Walnut Oil Finisher is made up of 100% Walnut oil which is naturally filtered. It’s 100% food safe which is ideal for use if you have children in your home. It works well on various wood products by sealing and preserving the natural looks of the wood.
You can use it in wood finishing or for making bowls. It takes between 2 and 3 days to completely dry out. However, you need to take precautions if your child is allergic because this oil is derived from tree nuts. The Walnut Oil finisher is packaged in 8 oz bottles which are easy to use.
Pros
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It works well as a food safe wood finish.
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It has a nice smell and works perfectly to condition wooden items.
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It only takes 2 to 3 days to completely dry out.
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It can be used in a home which has kids as long as they are not allergic to Walnut nuts.
Cons
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It doesn’t give you high gloss like most of the other oils, but you will get matte or semi-gloss.
Conclusion
Various child safe wood finishes are available on the market, but the ones reviewed above are the best. When it comes to kids’ safety, you can’t compromise on their health. These products are non-toxic finish for wood toys and they will preserve the original condition of the wood and other household items such as leather furniture.
The ideal wood finish should have the right ingredients which will not put children in danger while playing. Moreover, the finish should be capable of performing effectively the functions it’s supposed to do. This post should guide you to make an informed decision before purchasing the child safe wood finish.
