Say Goodbye to Harmful Furniture Polish! Say Hello To a Natural Alternative

October 4, 2007

Did you know that the majority of the floor and furniture waxes that are available on the market today can be harmful to your health? As a child I remember my mother would use these toxic chemical cocktails disguised as furniture polish and floor wax to clean or church. She and a few of the other people that were church members took turns volunteering to make sure the church stayed spotless. It was beautiful, but it came with a price. I received headaches within minutes of being around these harmful cleaners, occasionally I became irritable. Even at the young age of seven I knew it was related to these cleaners.

Guess what there are safer, and many cases cheaper alternatives than the ones you will find in your department stores. I’ve decided to share a few of the remedies that I use in my household not only do they do a marvelous job with your furniture they also aid in protecting your health and the environment.

Healing Yourself Naturally’s Furniture Polishing Cream

3 1/2 ounces of food grade linseed oil, jojoba, or extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 ounces of coconut oil
1 ounce beeswax
1 ounce carnauba wax
4 ounces of purified/distilled water
4 - 6 drops of essential oil

*You will need a container to hold furniture polishing cream
Directions

In a double boiler (I’ve also had success using a pot on low heat) melt the oils and wax.
Remove from heat once the ingredients have melted.
Using a hand mixer pour in a small amount of the water to the Pour water slowly to the mixture.
Add water & essential oils
Mix with a hand mixer until the consistency is creamy and thick.

How To Use

Add a small amount of cream to a cotton rag
Rub into furniture
Buff until the cream has worked into the wood.

The shelf life is 6 months to one year.

Technorati Tags: homemade furniture polishing cream, polish, toxic chemicals

Posted by Opal Tribble | Filed Under Blog, Holistic Recipes

Comments

17 Responses to “Say Goodbye to Harmful Furniture Polish! Say Hello To a Natural Alternative”

Jenny on October 4th, 2007 4:39 pm

I thought all that stuff was harmful in one way or another?
Opal Tribble on October 4th, 2007 4:57 pm

Hi Jenny,
With the recipe I listed no. Linseed oil (also sold as flax seed oil) is not all the same which is why I specified food grade, it is safe for human consumption. I use linseed oil aka flax seed oil in my salads. The “industrial grade” contains poisonous additives. I’ve always liked its nutty smell. However, you could substitute linseed with jojoba oil or olive oil.

Carnauba wax is the residue found on the leaves of the palm tree it’s used in the auto industry, and it’s mixed with a variety of other toxic chemicals.

I use coconut oil in cooking, and occasionally I add it to my fruit smoothies.

I definitely would not try to eat this furniture polish although the ingredients are non-toxic it would not be good to eat but as a chemical free alternative for your furnish it’s a great choice.
Harmonia on October 5th, 2007 3:01 pm

Thanks for the info! This is great!!!
teeni on October 6th, 2007 11:56 am

I like this safe alternative to furniture polish. I don’t see why I’d need all those extra additives that are found in commercial furniture polishes. Some are just to make it sprayable and others are just to make it smell good but using a paste like your recipe and using an essential oil, also like in your recipe, would take care of those things, naturally!
Opal Tribble on October 16th, 2007 7:20 am

teeni,
I agree this is something I use in my home so I’m definitely practicing what I preach.
Spray Cleaners Linked to Asthma: Discover Alternatives | Natural Health Remedies on October 16th, 2007 11:30 am

[…] Opal’s Recipe for Furniture Polish […]
Zach - Spokane Personal Trainer on October 30th, 2007 7:28 pm

This is quite interesting! It’s always great to know some of the natural cures rather than using some industrial product that has a ton of “extras’ in them.
the zapper on November 7th, 2007 8:34 pm

Opal, I’m really enjoying your thorough approach to self health. This is a great recipe! Would you mind if I share it with my mailing list? (attribution intact of course)
Keep up the great work. I’ve bookmarked you.
natural foods blog on November 14th, 2007 6:16 am

All these natural foods help to improve the body fitness and have a lot of benefits besides promising to prevent many diseases.
Opal Tribble on November 14th, 2007 9:23 am

Zach,
I agree. I dislike using all those toxic chemicals. I avoid them by making my own natural products.

The Zapper,
I sent you an email. I’m not sure if you received it. Yes you can share the information.

natural foods blog,
I agree. Natural foods can aid in prevention and it’s also a way to build you body.
Diane on November 27th, 2007 9:29 am

Wow, I just found this site through your Vegan Momma. Love it!!! Looks great too.
Opal Tribble on December 1st, 2007 8:57 am

Diane,
Thanks for stopping by. I thought I would create a virtual home that focused on natural remedies.
weight loss wand on February 6th, 2008 7:30 am

All natural foods are good for health and have lots of benefits.
Weight Loss Wand on February 20th, 2008 5:15 am

Now-a-days if we give our furniture for polishing it will harm our furniture also and will cost us a lot. Finding a natural way of doing the same is a better idea and I am surprised I found the best one from you.
Toronto Dedicated Servers on March 12th, 2008 7:18 am

I use coconut oil in cooking, and occasionally I add it to my fruit smoothies.
Carrey on March 28th, 2008 4:49 am

Its quite interesting! It’s always great to know some thing new and the natural cures rather than using some industrial product sounds great. Its good to give away the harmful furniture and opt for the alternative one
Kalvin C. Chinyere, M.D. on April 3rd, 2008 12:37 pm

I agree with you this is the best possible way you can cure your disease and having no side effects of medicines.