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3 Reasons Why Coconut Oil Makes a Great Wood Finish

A holistic approach to wood care that emphasizes both effectiveness and sustainability

coconut oil on wood
1. Deep Penetration - Fractionated Coconut Oil (aka MCT) penetrates wood fibers deeper than tung oil and linseed oil due to its very-low viscosity. The benefit of a more penetrating oil is it provides a deeper barrier from water, for longer lasting protection. Once water breeches a wood finish, the wood will begin to dry out, crack, deteriorate, and possibly grow mold. This is more common with cutting boards that are washed daily. By using 100% pure Fractionated Coconut Oil or our blend of Cutting Board Oil, which also contains Fractioned Coconut Oil, you can be certain your wood surfaces are getting adequate protection. Note that Coconut Oil is non-polymerizing, meaning it doesn't harden like tung oil, which is why its primarily recommended for food-contact wood items such as cutting boards, wooden utensils, etc.

coconut oil tree farm
2. Sustainability - Coconut oil stands out as a remarkable plant-based alternative for wood care, driven by its strong sustainable capabilities. It's derived from the coconut palm tree, known for their high yield and minimal environmental impact when sustainable planting and harvesting practices are used. Generally, herbicides and pesticides are not needed to protect coconut trees, additionally they require less water to maintain and can live much longer than tung trees and almond trees (for example). Like with every industry dependent on commercial growers, sustainability practices are in the hands of the farmers, and the coconut oil industry as a whole has been encouraging and implementing vast sustainability improvements in modern times.

3. Low Allergy Concerns - Coconut oil provides a non-toxic, allergen-friendly, and versatile choice for wood maintenance. It is particularly well-suited for surfaces that come into contact with food, such as cutting boards, due to its generally recognized safety and far lower risk of allergic reactions with sensitive individuals. It's important to note that while coconut oil is typically recognized for it's use in skincare products and food, "fractionated" coconut oil is the only variety that can be used on wood surfaces, since it's been refined to prevent rancidity.

To summarize, with its mild aroma, ease of application, and ability to deeply penetrate wood, coconut oil offers a holistic approach to wood care that emphasizes effectiveness, sustainability, and safety.

Comments

WALRUS OIL:

To Mike Fries: The additional ingredients you mentioned sound like cleaning agents. Citric Acid is often used as a natural preservative in cleaners and vinegar can be used to clean wood as well. If these ingredients are mixed with a high ratio of coconut oil, I can see it having dual purposes as a wood cleaner and oil-based conditioner on wood.

Jul 17, 2024

Mike Fries:

I noticed that I get better penetration, brighter end product and more retention when I add a bit of citric acid via lemon or lime oil as well as a bit of coconut vinegar as suggested by some indigenous carpenters in the Philippines
It seems to work but they and I don’t know why but the long term examples they have shown me have proven their point
Could you comment on this observation

Jul 17, 2024

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