Question from Stacey

Dear Debra, I will appreciate your advice about wood finishes. After a lot of research, I have found many companies that offer solid wood children’s furniture,but I still have some doubts about the finishes. Since I so not have space to do it myself, I really need to be able to buy something that it is ready for use. And I am not sure about the results of totally unfinished wood, especially for kids. What do you think about these?: Danish oil beeswax polish clear lacquer linseed oil.

Thank you very much!

Debra’s Answer

Danish oil is a mixer of penetrating oil and varnish that hardens in the wood rather than on the wood. It can contain toxic solvents.

Beeswax polish is made from beeswax and is generally fine. Sometimes various chemicals are added, so you would need to find out whatever you can about the exact brand used.

Lacquer is a catch-all term for a natural or synthetic material dissolved in a solvent, which dries to form a hard protective coating. Shellac, made from ground beetles and alcohol, is a lacquer, but a lacquer could also be made from petroleum

Linseed oil is explained at Q&A: Tung Oil and Linseed Oil for Furniture Finish

I wish I could give you a simpler answer. It comes down to getting as much information as you can about the finishes and then evaluating the dangers.

See if you can find someone to apply a finish for you to a piece of unfinished furniture, then use Vermont Natural Coatings. That’s my favorite wood finish so far.

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