Why are there so many warning labels on the furniture polish? Is the polish harmful?

A: The polish is not harmful in normal use. It contains natural turpentine, an organic solvent, which has some hazards associated with it. Due to regulations we have to include the same warnings as if it was pure turpentine.

Hazard warnings:

  • Flammable - It is difficult to ignite the polish. This is mainly a transport warning for bulk transportation.
  • Inhalation - As with any substance containing solvents (such as glue, paint, nail varnish, etc), it is advisable to have a well ventilated area when applying the polish. Beyond that, there is no cause for concern. In fact, the smell of turps after application is one of the things many people love about our furniture polish.
  • Contact with skin - If you have sensitive skin, it is advisable to wear gloves when handling the furniture polish. This is to avoid the possibility of a skin rash. Most people, however, handle it with no ill effect.
  • If swallowed - Do not swallow!
  • Dangerous to the environment - This is related to the potential damage that could be caused by irresponsible disposal of large quantities of the product. Turps is harmful to aquatic organisms and should not be introduced to ponds, lakes or rivers. In fact, because of the sustainable way our turpentine ingredient is produced, it is an environmentally friendly product. 

Q: Why do other similar furniture polish products not have these labels?

A: Many of them should have the same hazard labels, and don’t. We decided years ago to include all of the necessary labels on our products, even though we do sometimes find people are concerned by them. In a sense we are ahead of the game, as current regulations are being reviewed. By 2015 such labeling will be compulsory across Europe. Several similar polishes have white spirit instead of turps. In fact white spirit (or turpentine substitute) has exactly the same hazard label requirements as turps. 


Q: Why is your furniture polish more expensive than some similar products?

A: Because we still make ours with natural turpentine, to the original Victorian recipe. A few years ago the price of turpentine increased dramatically. Most of our competitors switched to the cheaper alternative of white spirit.


Q: Why is turpentine better than white spirit?

A: White Spirit is an artificial turpentine substitute, and it evaporates more quickly. This can dry out the wood. Turpentine is organically derived from distilled pine sap, and actually feeds wood.


Q: There appears to be a colourless liquid around the polish, what is it and why is it there?

A: The polish we make is a cream emulsion. Making emulsions is a complex process, dependent upon several factors. Various properties of the beeswax and turpentine influence the creation and stability of the emulsion. Ours is a natural product made to a traditional recipe, so variations in the properties of the ingredients mean that sometimes a small degree of separation occurs after it has been made. The liquid that can appear is merely a small amount of turpentine that has separated from the rest of the polish. It can simply be tipped away and the polish used as normal. If you are not happy with the consistency of the polish please contact us and we will replace it.

Q: Will the neutral polish change the appearance of the wood, such as darken it ?

A: On very light wood, such as pine, there may be a very slight darkening. But this is part of the effect beeswax polish is supposed to produce - a classic 'lustre'. We recommend that if you are applying our furniture polish to a previously untreated piece, try a small amount on an unseen part first. This will ensure the result is what you are looking for.


Q: Why use the brown furniture polish?

A: The brown furniture polish will enhance the grain on dark woods. It can also be used as a subtle stain on light woods such as pine.


Q: Is the furniture polish suitable for hardwood flooring ?

A: Yes, but we recommend you consider the use of a buffing machine for large areas.


Q: What is the difference between a cream polish and a paste polish?

A: Our furniture polish is a cream polish. This is the easiest to apply and use day to day. It can be applied a little at a time and built up over time. A paste polish usually comes in a tin like boot polish. It is a hard polish and can be harder to buff. Paste polished can also set in cracks, discolour, and create an unsightly build up.


Q: Can I use the furniture polish on previously treated wood surfaces?

A: This very much depends on what the piece has been treated with. On lacquered or varnished surfaces our polish will clean much like any cheap artificial spray polish, but it will not do what it is designed to do - soak in and feed the wood. Avoid using our polish on surfaces that have been previously treated with oil, such as teak oil, as this can prevent the polish from penetrating the wood properly, and leave an oily residue. If teak oil had been applied, but not for a few years, it would most likely produce the desired effect. But we would recommend that you test a small out of sight area first.