Posted by rawind on November 15, 1999 at 23:34:50:
In Reply to: Non-Toxic Finishes For Cutting Boards, Salad Bowls and Toys posted by Sam Allen on December 09, 1997 at 22:54:52:
: NON-TOXIC FINISHES FOR CUTTING BOARDS, SALAD BOWLS, AND TOYS
:I have always used mineral oil (available from drugstore) to finish cutting boards and salad bowls. I use and old brush and brush on all the oil the piece will take and leave it on papers to dry. I repeaat several times until wood will absorb no more oil and rub residue (if any) with paper towels. When wood starts to dry out again, I repeat this process. My chopping block has held up well for the last 15 or 20 years with this method.
: There are several options for finishing a cutting board or anything that requires a non-toxic finish (toys for example).
: You can use a special cutting board oil or salad bowl finish. Behlens Salad Bowl Finish is one product that is safe for food contact after drying.
: Walnut oil is another option. It is a true drying oil that reacts with the air and hardens, it is available grocery stores or some mail order woodworking supply stores.
: Shellac is non-toxic when it is dry according to the A.F. Suter Co. (one of the world leaders in shellac production), in fact shellac is used by pharmaceutical companies as a pill coating and it is used in candy and fruit coatings.
: Pure Tung Oil is non toxic if it doesn't contain dryers or solvents. Don't use tung oil products that are mixtures containing toxic dryers dyes or solvents.
: Watco says its oils are safe for food or toy use after they've dried for 30 days
: Water-based polyurethanes are often non-toxic when dry check the label to make sure.