How to Make Solvent-Free Furniture Polish

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/solvent-free-furniture-polish.html

How to Make Solvent-Free Furniture Polish

posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 3, 1999 2:13 pm

filed under: Healthy Home, Non-Toxic Cleaning

Almost all commercially available floor and furniture waxes contain neurotoxic petroleum-based solvents. Neurotoxic chemicals can cause headaches, lack of concentration, irritability, and more, and are best avoided and substitutes used. A few safe commercially available products, such as Furniture Scents, are available online or at health food stores.

Here is a simple, elegant polish formula to make yourself that is solvent free, inexpensive, and easy enough to make. Protect your furniture, your health, and the environment.

Basic Polishing Cream Waxing Formula

4 ounces oil (2 1/2 ounces olive oil or jojoba, 1 1/2 ounces coconut oil)
1 ounce beeswax
1 ounce carnauba wax
4 ounces distilled water

Melt the oils and waxes in a double boiler over medium heat. Remove from the heat, pour in the water, and mix with a hand mixer until thick and creamy. Dab some cream onto a soft cotton rag and rub into the furniture. Buff and polish until the oils are well worked into the wood.

Shelf Life: 6 months to a year

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Lillian D. says
Sep 14, 2009 10:10 PM

Why not use the sun's power to melt the waxes?

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Sylvia Wulf says
Sep 10, 2009 11:12 AM

Oddly enough, you can get carnauba wax through Amazon.com, though I suspect it is probably also available in many of the larger health stores too. It would be helpful if such info was included at the end of articles like this, maybe as links to reliable sources, so those of us who want to try these 'recipes' feel more confident in our ability to find all the ingredients - just a suggestion from a Care2 fan! ;-)

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Amy W. says
Nov 21, 2008 8:42 PM

Where do I get the carnauba wax?

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Sandi Merritt says
Sep 5, 2007 2:17 PM

Thank you, I am allergic to many cleaners. Most have fragrances that I am highly allergic to. I am anxious to try this.

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Excerpt: [...] Can See Myself in the Shine: From Care2, a recipe for solvent-free furniture polish. (Hat tip: Lighter [...]
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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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