Want to make your wood projects waterproof without harming the environment? Natural oils are your best bet! Unlike toxic waterproof finishers, oils like polymerized linseed oil and tung oil penetrate deeply and offer long-lasting protection.
Ready to learn how to naturally waterproof your wood? Let’s dive into the four best options to keep your wood beautiful and safe!
Key Takeaways
– Natural Waterproofing Oils: Discover the best natural oils like polymerized linseed oil and tung oil to waterproof wood without toxic chemicals.
– Indoor Use Recommended: Use natural finishes for indoor furniture to avoid rapid degradation from UV rays and moisture.
– Food-Safe Protection: Ensure your wooden kitchen utensils and surfaces are safe with non-toxic, food-grade oils.
– Regular Maintenance Needed: Natural finishes require regular reapplication to maintain their protective properties and keep wood looking fresh.
– Eco-Friendly Choices: Opt for refined hemp oil and walnut oil for an environmentally friendly way to protect your wooden items.
Disclosure: At zero cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon associate. Products featured are selected based on quality, performance, and reputation, regardless of affiliate relationships.
How to Make Wood Waterproof Naturally (4 easy options)
Your Path Through My Website
Take your time with this guide. When you’re ready to explore more, you can check out my subcategory Woodworking Tips for even more context and connections, or explore my category Woodworking Tools, Materials & Tips for an overview of everything in this area. But for now, let’s get started with the topic at hand!
Table of Contents
Where can you use naturally waterproof?
Because natural wood finishes quickly lose their effect, it is not recommended to use them outdoors. These agents are good to use on indoor furniture that will not be exposed to moisture or sunlight for a long time. This is why indoor furniture does not need thick layers of finishing.
For this, you have to give an object with a finish with natural wood protectors the right care and maintenance. You will need to re-coat with a waterproof finish on a regular basis. This is because UV rays weaken the finish and will weaken their waterproof properties. You can notice this because the wood starts to turn gray with prolonged exposure to UV.
So refinishing will be much more common, and you need to be careful with the finish you choose. For indoor furniture that is more exposed to UV rays, you can apply a thicker layer than usual so that it can withstand the elements better.
When to make wood waterproof naturally?
The main reason why you should choose a natural wood waterproofing finish is that the wood will come into contact with food. You do not want your food to be contaminated with harmful substances that can cause health problems in the long term.
Also, remember that using natural sealants is not enough to be completely toxin-free. The wood you use must also be food-safe. To help you select the right type of wood, I wrote my article, the complete guide of what wood is food safe, where you can find more information.
Subscribe to Christofix!
Get updates on the latest posts and more from Christofix straight to your inbox.
How do you make wood waterproof naturally?
Polymerized linseed oil, tung oil, refined hemp, and walnut oil are all natural oils that can be used to seal and protect wood on their own. They are known as drying oils.
Drying oils penetrate, harden, and preserve wood, resulting in a long-lasting, non-rancid finish.
Best natural waterproof wood finish option #1: Polymerized Linseed Oil
Polymerized linseed oil is likely one of the best oils for natural wood waterproofing. It is created by processing and boiling natural linseed oil, allowing it to dry faster. This type of oil is produced by pressing and preserving linseed extract. Although raw linseed oil can be used as a finish, it does not harden quickly and retains a tacky feel even after fully drying and curing.
To make this type of oil, it is heated under a vacuum at high temperatures to polymerize it, resulting in a thicker, faster-drying product that does not have that tacky feel once cured. Although there is one small downside to this type of oil, and that is that it has a yellowish tint, and is not transparent. Keep in mind that while it deepens the color of the wood and grain, it slightly changes the tone. Polymerized oil is also called Danish oil.
Best natural waterproof wood finish option #2: Tung Oil
Tung oil is well-known for its ability to waterproof wood. This oil has been used to waterproof boats in China for many years.
This oil is also the main ingredient in some brands of Danish oil and some oil-based synthetic finishes. It is the most durable and water-resistant of the oils.
Tung oil is extracted from the seeds of the nuts of the tung tree, which grows throughout Asia, particularly in China. The tree can also be found in South America, but in much lower numbers than in Asian countries.
It dries to a film after curing properly, making it the best natural finish. It’s also food safe and non-toxic once cured, making it an excellent finish for countertops, cabinets, and kitchen utensils.
Tung oil, more than any other oil, makes wood waterproof to some extent. As a result, natural oil finishes are sometimes recommended for outdoor furniture. Keep in mind, however, that recoats are frequently required if you want to protect your wood from the elements.
This type of oil, which is superior to linseed oil, deepens the tone of the wood and grain without changing the color. It is transparent and gives any wooden surface to which it is applied a wet feel.
Best natural waterproof wood finish option #3: Refined Hemp
Hemp oil is a good choice if you want an all-natural drying oil for wood with a mild and safe scent.
You can use hemp oil on all interior wood for waterproof and chemical-free wooden objects such as furniture, floors, stairs, interior doors, and so on.
It’s not the most durable wood finish compared to the options I discussed above, and it’s not the most durable floor drying oil, but this oil does what’s expected of it.
When choosing this option, always make sure that you have refined hemp oil and that it is made for finishing wood.
Perhaps not unimportant to mention, this oil is considered one of the safest and healthiest options for wooden toys. So if you want to build a wooden rocking horse as I did a while ago in my YouTube video and blog post, this is the oil you can use for this.
Best natural waterproof wood finish option #4: Walnut Oil
Other than wood, walnut oil is a drying oil that is commonly used on surfaces such as concrete countertops, rough slate, non-gloss marble and granite, and so on.
On this list, however, walnut oil is the least recommended for natural wood waterproofing. It can be used on wood, but it does not last as long as the oils mentioned previously.
Don’t Stop Now! Explore This Next:
Now you have read this article, take your woodworking skills even further by discovering the best wood finishes to use for every project. Learn the differences, benefits, and application tips to ensure your projects look stunning and last longer. Click here to unlock more valuable insights and make informed decisions for all your woodworking endeavors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use natural waterproofing oils on outdoor furniture?
Natural oils like tung oil and polymerized linseed oil can be used on outdoor furniture, but they require frequent reapplication to maintain their protective properties. It’s best to use them on indoor furniture to ensure long-lasting results.
How often do I need to reapply natural waterproofing oils?
The frequency of reapplication depends on the type of oil and the level of exposure to elements. For indoor furniture, reapply every 6-12 months. For outdoor furniture, more frequent reapplication is needed, potentially every few months, to ensure continuous protection.
Are natural waterproofing oils safe for food-contact surfaces?
Yes, natural oils like tung oil, polymerized linseed oil, and refined hemp oil are food-safe once fully cured. They are excellent choices for kitchen utensils, countertops, and cutting boards, providing a non-toxic, protective finish.
Leave a Reply