Food-safe wood finishes expand the use of both handmade and ready-made items in the kitchen and playroom. Though most sealers provide a food-safe wood finish once dry, these modern wood finishes aren’t typically food-safe straight from the package and may even contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that make them unsafe to apply outside well-ventilated spaces. And while some finishes like vegetable oil, mineral oil, and olive oil may be food-safe out of the container, they typically don’t offer high levels of protection and require frequent reapplication when they work well at all. Fortunately, the Real Milk Paint Co. has several options when you need a food-grade wood finish that have staying power and exceptional protection.
Uses for Wood Finish Safe for Foods
Food-safe finishes have many uses both in and out of the kitchen and dining room, from protecting items you use for food prep and serving to sealing items kids handle and put in their mouths. Some of these uses include:
- Butcher blocks
- Cutting boards
- Charcuterie boards
- Platters and chargers
- Salad bowls
- Countertops
- Kitchen utensils
- Wood bowls
- Children’s toys
Types of Food-Safe Finish for Wood
When considering deciding on an eco-friendly wood finish safe for foods, you have numerous commercially available wood finishes to choose from, some of which work better than others. For example, wooden utensils or butcher blocks you wish to use every day need a more durable food-safe wood finish than something like a decorative wood bowl or cutting board you plan to display on your kitchen wall. Here are some of the main options for a food-safe finish for wood to help you decide which one works best for the project you’re planning.
Wood Wax
At the top of our list is Wood Wax, an all-natural vegan formulation made with walnut oil and carnauba wax.
This vegan-friendly food-safe finish for wood contains no VOCs or solvents for added eco-friendliness and combines the attractive sheen of wax with the protective abilities of oil, so it looks great and stays put over time and with frequent use. You can also use Wood Wax over Pure Tung Oil, Hemp Oil and a few finishes for an extra level of protection.
Suitable for a multitude of projects, especially those that utilize raw wood, this wood sealer for food safety boasts a smooth consistency for fuss-free application and even coverage on butcher boards, countertops and utensils. Additionally, surfaces covered with Wood Wax cure within 7 to 15 days via polymerization, just like other finishing oils. However, smaller surfaces covered with Wood Wax cure much faster when placed inside a lightbulb kiln if you need to use them more quickly than natural curing allows.
Real Milk Paint
All-natural, nontoxic Real Milk Paint provides food-safe wood finishes that let you add color to your creations. This matte medium comes in 56 hues, from basic black and white to vibrant shades of red, blue and green, making it a perfect choice for customizing your kitchen and dining area. Food-safe paint is designed for use on raw wood and previously painted surfaces alike. Real Milk Paint application typically requires little prep time and no primer or sanding to achieve the look you want.
The powdered formulation means you can mix as much or as little as needed for the task at hand, and Real Milk Paint is biodegradable and compostable, so you don’t have to worry when disposing of unused portions. Mixed colors stay viable for up to 2 weeks without spoiling, providing extra time to finish bigger projects. Though this medium is durable, you do need to seal it with Wood Wax or your choice of food-safe finishing oils (more about those below) to help the colors stay true over time and with use.
Pure Tung Oil
Pure Tung Oil, aka chinawood oil which comes from a china wood tree, dries hard to a lustrous matte finish, making it an excellent wood finish safe for foods. This FDA-approved sealer from the Real Milk Paint Co. has 100% pure ingredients, unlike many competing products that contain harsh solvents to speed up drying time. You do, however, typically need to mix our Pure Tung Oil with our all-natural and food-safe Citrus Solvent penetrating oil for optimal coverage and penetration into raw wood or painted surfaces. Alternatively, use our pre-thinned Half & Half for easy application.
The downside of this naturally polymerizing food-safe finish is that it takes 10 to 15 days for a partial cure and up to 30 days for a full cure, making our Wood Wax a better option if you need to cure items in a lightbulb kiln for immediate usage.
Dark Tung Oil
Dark Tung Oil from The Real Milk Paint Co. provides an exquisite food-safe option for wood surfaces that demand both durability and a rich, natural aesthetic. Made from pure tung oil blended with natural dark pigments, this finishing oil seeps deeply into wood grains, enhancing the beauty and warmth of your projects while offering lasting protection.
Key Benefits of Dark Tung Oil
- Food Safety: Dark Tung Oil is FDA-approved for food contact, making it a safe choice for kitchen utensils, cutting boards, pizza peels, and butcher blocks. Unlike finishes that remain on the surface, this food-safe oil finish penetrates deeply, creating a protective barrier without introducing harmful chemicals.
- Water Resistance: Once cured, Dark Tung Oil provides a water-resistant food-safe finish that prevents warping and swelling from moisture, ideal for items frequently washed or exposed to water.
- Eco-Friendly Composition: Crafted without any toxic solvents or VOCs, this oil offers a safe, environmentally friendly alternative that’s gentle on your home and the environment.
Application Tips for Dark Tung Oil
Applying Dark Tung Oil is straightforward, making it an accessible option for both beginners and seasoned woodworkers:
- Prepare the Surface: Clean and lightly sand the wood surface to ensure optimal oil absorption.
- Apply the Oil: Use a lint-free cloth or brush to apply a generous coat, letting the oil penetrate the wood for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Wipe Away Excess: After allowing time for absorption, remove any excess oil from the surface with a clean cloth to prevent a sticky finish.
- Repeat if Needed: For a deeper color and enhanced protection, apply additional coats, letting each coat cure thoroughly before reapplication.
Hemp Oil
All-natural Hemp Oil from the Real Milk Paint Co. offers another food-safe natural drying oil for wood that’s good for the environment. Made with no VOCs and requiring no solvent for thinning, Hemp Oil provide hypoallergenic food-safe penetrating finishes for fuss-free application over Real Milk Paint and bare wood alike. This hypoallergenic wood finish safe for foods dries to a virtually dead flat matte look such as a butcher block, with no gloss and very little sheen.
Though Hemp Oil delivers a food-safe finish, it’s generally not quite as durable or water-resistant as Wood Wax or tung oil finish. This does, however, make it a great choice for lightly used decorative items when you want easy maintenance and a matte finish. Utensils, bowls, platters and cutting boards finished with Hemp Oil cure partially within 7 to 10 days and fully within 15 to 30 days.
Half and Half
The Real Milk Paint Co.’s Half and Half offers an exceptional, pre-mixed blend of pure tung oil and natural citrus solvent, making it the ideal choice for those seeking a durable, food-safe, and easy-to-apply finish. This ready-to-use formulation provides all the benefits of tung oil with the added ease of a thinned consistency, allowing for deeper wood penetration and quicker application across a range of projects.
Why Choose Half and Half?
- Food Contact Safe: The Half and Half blend is FDA-approved for food contact, so it’s perfect for use on surfaces like cutting boards, butcher blocks, wooden bowls, and children’s toys. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing it’s non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals.
- Enhanced Penetration: The addition of citrus solvent allows the tung oil to penetrate deeper into the wood, providing enhanced water resistance and a strong barrier against wear. This makes Half and Half ideal for both indoor and outdoor wood surfaces that need extra protection.
- Eco-Friendly Ingredients: Half and Half contains only natural ingredients—pure tung oil and a citrus-based solvent—making it a safe, environmentally conscious choice for wood finishing. Its low-VOC formulation is gentle on indoor air quality and safe for use in households with pets and children.
How to Apply Half and Half
Applying Half and Half is easy and requires no additional thinning, making it a straightforward solution for DIYers and professionals alike:
- Prep the Surface: Clean and sand your wood surface to ensure it’s free of debris. A smooth surface will help the oil penetrate more evenly.
- Apply Generously: Using a clean, lint-free cloth or natural-bristle brush, apply Half and Half liberally to the wood. Let it soak in for 30-40 minutes to allow maximum absorption.
- Wipe Away Excess: After soaking, wipe off any excess oil with a clean cloth to prevent a tacky finish. If desired, apply additional coats, allowing each coat to cure overnight for best results.
- Cure and Maintain: After application, allow 7-10 days for a full cure. Reapply a thin coat every 6-12 months to maintain the food-safe finish, especially for high-use or frequently washed items.
Linseed Oil
Also known as flaxseed oil, raw linseed oil is a food-safe wood finish popular with many woodworkers. Linseed oil penetrates wood pores deeply, conferring good resistance to scratching and humidity changes, and it readily showcases woodgrain for an attractive aesthetic. Easy to apply and eco-friendly, linseed oil provides a satin finish that looks good on charcuterie boards, butcher blocks and countertops. Likewise, maintenance of boiled or raw linseed oil finishes is quick and simple, requiring only a quick wipe-down with the medium every now and then. It’s important to note that “boiled” linseed oil isn’t actually boiled and typically has driers added to it’s formulation to promote the hardening of the oil.
On the downside, however, linseed oil fails when it comes to water resistance on food surfaces as it’s particularly vulnerable to rings left by condensation on glasses and stains from colored liquids soaking into the wood beneath. This food-safe wood finish also tends to yellow over time, potentially discoloring your wooden bowls or cutting boards and spoiling their beauty. Additionally, even the protective qualities of raw or boiled linseed oil are lacking, with its soft coat seal remaining more vulnerable to scratches and abrasions than hard-drying oils like Pure Tung Oil.
Cutting Board Oil: Safe, Natural Protection for Your Kitchen Essentials
Protect your cutting boards, butcher blocks, and kitchen utensils with Cutting Board Oil from The Real Milk Paint Co. This high-quality, food-safe oil is specially formulated to deeply penetrate and nourish wood surfaces, providing long-lasting protection while enhancing the natural beauty of the wood. Made with non-toxic ingredients, our Cutting Board Oil ensures a safe, chemical-free finish for surfaces that come into contact with food daily.
Benefits of Cutting Board Oil
- Food Contact Safe: This oil is FDA-approved for food contact, making it an ideal choice for kitchen surfaces that touch food directly. Whether you’re slicing vegetables or carving meat, you can trust that your board’s finishes are food-safe and natural.
- Deep Penetration: Our Cutting Board Oil is crafted to soak deeply into wood fibers, creating a water-resistant barrier that protects against drying, cracking, and warping. This oil keeps your wood hydrated, extending the life of your charcuterie board and other wood kitchen tools.
- Eco-Friendly Ingredients: With a formula that’s free from synthetic additives, Cutting Board Oil is both safe for your home and environmentally conscious. This low-VOC oil won’t leave behind harsh odors or harmful chemicals, so you can use it confidently around kids and pets.
Application Tips for Cutting Board Oil
Using Cutting Board Oil is simple, and regular maintenance will keep your kitchen tools in prime condition:
- Clean the Surface: Wash and thoroughly dry the cutting board before application. Make sure it’s free of any residue to ensure the oil penetrates evenly.
- Apply Generously: Use a clean, lint-free cloth or brush to apply a generous coat of oil, allowing it to soak into the wood for 20-30 minutes.
- Wipe Off Excess: After the oil has absorbed, wipe off any remaining residue with a clean cloth. Repeat as needed until the wood no longer absorbs the oil readily.
- Reapply for Lasting Protection: For the best results, reapply Cutting Board Oil monthly or whenever the wood appears dry. Regular oiling will maintain a smooth, water-resistant finish that keeps your board looking and performing its best.
Ideal for a Range of Kitchen Applications
Our Cutting Board Oil is versatile enough to use on more than just cutting boards—try it on wooden spoons, salad bowls, butcher blocks, and even charcuterie boards for durable, food-safe conditioning. Designed to bring out the natural grain and texture of wood, this oil enhances both the beauty and longevity of your favorite kitchen tools.
Preserve the quality of your wood surfaces with a product you can trust. Our Cutting Board Oil offers the protection you need and the peace of mind you want for every meal.
Other Oils
Some woodworkers use other natural oils as a wood finish safe for food, though the options listed above tend to be the best choices for a variety of reasons. For example, mineral oil may be one of the food-safe wood finishes, but it’s derived from petroleum, so it’s not very eco-friendly. And even if it were, it’s also not very durable or water-resistant and may appear dusty and dry if you don’t maintain it well.
Other water-repellant surface sealers include Danish oil and beeswax. Danish oil typically combines linseed and tung oils for a durable finish, but some brands contain VOCs and other potentially damaging chemicals. And although considered as food-safe finishes after completing the curing process, Danish oil isn’t very easy to apply and requires frequent maintenance.
Likewise, bees wax offers good water resistance and a natural finish that protects wood. A natural product of honeybees, this surface sealer offers a nontoxic finish without harsh chemicals. The downsides of beeswax, however, are minimal durability, a need for frequent management and poor resistance to heat, making it unsuitable for butcher blocks and countertops.
Other food-safe wood finishes include olive oil, coconut oil and vegetable oil, but these options tend to go rancid in hot weather and aren’t very durable. Shellac wax and oil finishes also work, but they typically have a film-forming finish and a noticeable amber tint, which can discolor the look of your wood surface. Lastly, polyurethane offers excellent durability at the expense of eco-friendliness, requiring ample ventilation for application to prevent injury and long curing times before the finish achieves safety for food contact.
Whether you’re refinishing frequently used kitchen items or need a surface sealer that guarantees wood safety, products from the Real Milk Paint Co. can help you achieve the look you want, such as our cutting board oil and other food safe finishes. Consider the pros and cons of each of these oil and wax finish options and the needs of your wood surface and choose accordingly.
Choose Food-Safe Finishes From Real Milk Paint Co.
When it comes to safeguarding your wooden kitchen essentials, there’s no need to compromise on health or quality. Real Milk Paint Co. offers a range of food-safe finishes that protect your cutting boards, butcher blocks, kitchen utensils, and more. Crafted from natural, non-toxic ingredients like pure tung oil, citrus solvent, and hemp oil, our finishes penetrate deeply into the wood, providing a durable, water-resistant barrier that enhances longevity and preserves the natural beauty of your wooden items.
Our finishes are designed to meet the highest standards for food safety, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing they’re free from harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Whether you need the rich, dark tones of Dark Tung Oil, the convenient blend of Half and Half, or the nourishing properties of Cutting Board Oil, Real Milk Paint Co. has the perfect solution for your kitchen and dining needs.
Choose Real Milk Paint Co. for finishes that prioritize your health, the environment, and the timeless quality of your wood pieces. Experience the beauty of natural, food-safe wood care today and keep your kitchen essentials protected and looking their best for years to come.
