what oil for wood worktops

sooz

i have got lovely new wood kitchen worktops, but they desperatly need oiling before they get stained.

i know ikea sells some clear stuff - prob called sroogg or kruwejll - but can't be bothered to traipse up there.

anyone know what stuff to use, and what is safe around food and doesn't smell

Sarahsaver

linseed oil
it's what is used for cricket bats and I used to oil Mum's very heavy wooden front door every year with it. The ikea stuff is called behandla. I wouldnt have thought you need to stain AND oil, and if you do both you would stain first then oil because the oil would repel the stain, hope you get what Im saying;)

sooz

thanks,

and are you sure that linseed oil won't kill me..... it smells horrible.

not going to stain the wood, just meant wood might get stained by tea cups, sticky fingers etc, sorry not to be clear

martinpike

I'm with you on the linseed smell!

However, it IS one of four oils mentioned here

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/treat_wtops.htm

Sarahsaver

you can eat linseeds so i guess the oil is not dangerous.

Mr_Proctalgia

I used this stuff on my worktops - It has lasted 5 years so far

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pricing=INC&pf_id=23019&recno=2&cid=SRUUTRCS1ODWUKIUQL5NXR5UFRE1SLVW

It is a two pack epoxy finish and dries like kryptonite

Buzzard_2

If u r going to use linseed oil, it is better to use boiled linseed oil as opposed to raw linseed oil. It will dry quicker. For ease of application u would be advised to mix the first few coats with white spirit (up t0 50%). In my opinion, a better finish can be achieved with pure tung oil and it is highly resistant to water, alcohol and food acids. It is also non toxic and can be used on surfaces in contact with food. If u use linseed oil, either dispose of the application cloth or lay it out flat to dry as spontaneous combustion has been known to occur and u don't want those lovely worktops going up in smoke.