Suitable Stain & varnish finish...

[Johnnypf]

My brother and his wife have asked me to make a crib and changing table but im not sure what finish will be suitable for a baby.

The two pieces will be made from solid redwood (only ply will be the backs)and i want a durable yet safe finish on them. I was wanting to stain them with an antique pine with a satin varnish but not sure what i can use that will be none harmfull if the child decides to start chewing on the cribs rails.

TYIA

Jon

 

[WoodYouLike]

See here for oil finishes that are safe to use for children (product is often used for wooden toys also)

 

[oilman]

You could use tung oil or raw linseed oil. Just use good quality oils, not the cheapest you can find. Danish oil and boiled linseed oil have dryers added, and though probably harmless in the quantities involved, others may have different views.

Here is a linseed and beeswax product which is general furniture polish, but doesn't stink the house out like most. This has a dryer added.

There are many things about the house that babies will stuff in their mouths which are probably much worse than these finishes, such as plastic toys and things which go in without the baby having any choice such as spray polishes, and any other unnecessary aerosol products used around the home (and they are ALL unnecessary).