Until recently, the only options for wood stains were beautiful but toxic brands. But, not anymore! Our products are plant-based and low odor, so you get all of the beauty without the adverse effects on your health. In this post, you’ll discover why traditional wood finishes can be unsafe to use and why our certified green products are the best choice.
All wood stains are toxic in liquid form but become non-toxic after fully cured. This process can take 3 to 30 days, depending on the kind of stain and brand. As the stain dries, volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, release into the air. Products with high levels of VOCs create air pollution and can have long-term adverse effects on human health.
Some health concerns related to wood stain are:
Nausea
Dizziness
Seizures
Vomiting
Reduced alertness
Skin irritation
Cancer
What are VOCs?
VOCs are volatile organic compounds. These chemicals break down and evaporate into the air at low temperatures, such as room temperature. The ‘organic’ in VOCs means that it’s derived from natural sources. VOCs are naturally occurring in the environment at very low levels. However, high concentrated amounts in some paint and wood finishes are not considered safe.Some popular VOCs you’ll find on labels of traditional stains include formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and arsenic. VOCs are used to help the color remain stable and perform consistently. They also help preserve the wood and protect against bacteria growth and insect infestation.
The government regulates wood solvents and preservatives in many countries. If a chemical’s costs outweigh its benefits, it will be banned from use.
To protect yourself while using stains, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Here are some basic safety precautions:
Use non-latex gloves to protect your skin
Always wear safety glasses and a mask
Open doors and windows to allow for proper ventilation
Soak any rags or staining materials in water before disposing to avoid combustion and reduce the impact on the environment
Are There Natural, Non-Toxic Options?
In 2022, increasing numbers of people are looking for more opportunities for sustainability at home and work. This includes refinishing and repurposing old furniture, decreasing unnecessary spending, and using more sustainable products.
One of these efforts includes replacing toxic wood stains with DIY wood finishes. Using products like coffee, red wine, and tea, you can stain your wood a darker color. However, these methods give inconsistent results and are not durable.
Though applying a topcoat is a great idea for any stain, they are required for natural methods. You also may never achieve a rich deep coat as traditional wood stains give you.
WOCA Woodcare Non-Toxic Wood Finish
More sustainable options help you live in greater harmony with the environment. Our WOCA woodcare products follow strict regulations of the European Union for human and environmental safety. But more than that, our oil wood stain is the safest kid on the block. And that’s because we commit to making the places we live and work safer for everyone.
Our wood care formulas protect your woods without the harmful effects of those other guys. WOCA products are:
Plant-based
Environmentally friendly
Safe to use around pets and children
Don’t require you to vacate your home during drying time
Certified low-VOC
Won’t compromise indoor air quality
When it comes to enhancing the beauty of your hardwood floors and furniture, your safety doesn’t have to be a concern. Protect your pieces and your family with WOCA Woodcare products. You can choose from a wide variety of plant-based cleaners, non-toxic wood finishes, and more. We also provide a subscriptions service, so you get your products when you need them, on your schedule. Order yours today.
All wood stains are toxic in liquid form but become non-toxic after fully cured. This process can take 3 to 30 days, depending on the kind of stain and brand.
But if the stain is not applied carefully, that new furniture look can come at a steep cost—your health. Fumes from conventional oil-based wood finishes are well known to be toxic. But many people are still unaware as to why wood stain fumes can be harmful to one's health.
How Long Will the Wood Stain Odor Last? Unfortunately, if you used an oil-based stain, the wood stain odor could last for months or even years, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.
All wood stains are toxic in liquid form but become non-toxic after fully cured. This process can take 3 to 30 days, depending on the kind of stain and brand. As the stain dries, volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, release into the air.
When wood products are worked on, dust and formaldehyde are released into the air. Prolonged exposure and inhalation of these products may cause cancer of the nasal cavity, sinuses and nasopharynx, as well as leukaemia.
It can take as little as 4 hours for the finish to dry and 8 hours for the fumes to dissipate. It's recommended that you stay out of your home for at least 8 hours after applying a water-based polyurethane finish, though usually, you can walk on it much sooner.
The simplest way to keep a space ventilated is to keep the area open to the outdoors by opening windows and doors. You can help further encourage airflow by adding fans to the area, especially by placing a box fan in an open window. If the blades face into the room, the fan will pull the air outside.
If your skin is not sensitive and does not appear to be irritated, you could also use normal soap to clean the area. If you use soap, rinse it off when you are finished. Using a moisturizing cream or lotion can help prevent skin irritation and damage.
Harmful substances in wood stains are hydrocarbons, or substances that contain only carbon and hydrogen. Other harmful ingredients may include: Alcohol. Alkanes.
Many common wood stains contain ingredients such as petroleum, polyurethane, alcohol, formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, benzene, and glycol ether. Some wood preservatives even contain arsenic. All of these chemicals can harm the human body because they are carcinogenic, toxic, or corrosive.
In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead-based paint is still present in millions of homes, normally under layers of newer paint.
It can be irritating for the people who smell the odor and inhaling fumes are harmful to human health. Prolonged exposure can cause wood stain poisoning, resulting in a burning sensation, blurred vision, and collapse.
Another natural homemade remedy that is effective in removing the smell of polyurethane from your home is to put slices of onion or lemons into bowls of water and space the bowls across the new wood floor. This method has been used for ages to remove odors of all kinds from homes.
It may be time to do your due diligence before applying polyurethane finishing to your wood surfaces in your home. Polyurethane, also known as a petrochemical resin, that contain isocyanates, has been labeled as a respiratory toxin that can be dangerous if exposure occurs, particularly in high levels.
If you have inhaled chemical or toxic fumes, you should get into fresh air straight away. Loosen tight clothing and open doors and windows wide. If you are with someone who has inhaled toxic fumes, seek medical attention immediately.
Arrange to have someone watch your child while you work, or make sure they are supervised at all times while in the room. Although PureColor stains aren't toxic like chemical-based formulas, you still don't want it in your child's mouth or all over their skin.
Another common chemical that can be found in wood stains is sodium hydroxide. This is a corrosive that has the potential to cause tissue burns upon contact. Because chemical burns have the potential to lead to deep tissue damage, sodium hydroxide should be handled with care.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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