OT: Stable oils & wood protection

[Guest guest]

I realize this is slightly off-topic, but I'd like to take advantage

of this group's knowledge about stable oils (animal fats & coconut

oil) as opposed to unstable fats (fats that go rancid, which includes

most vegetable oils).

While trying to find a natural finish for my baby's wooden toys, I

stumbled across a discussion about oil & beeswax finishes. They

recommend mineral oil, but mineral oil comes from petroleum and the

" natural police " warn against this ingredient in cosmetics. If it's

bad in cosmetics, it can't be good in my baby's mouth.

Then I read this clip on www.thathomesite.com:

All bean, grain, seed, and nut oils and (even PURE linseed oil [and

PURE tung oil]) are food safe. But you don't want to use most of them

because, without preservatives, they will turn rancid in a very short

time.

....which made me think about stable animal fats and coconut oil.

WOULD I BE CRAZY to preserve my baby's toys (and my cutting

board/wooden spoons) with animal fat or coconut oil, then a coating of

bees wax? Something about the thought of animal fat gives me the heeby

jeebies. But coconut oil has really got me thinking...

Thanks for your feedback!

Tamara