Green Product Review: Block Oil
May 14, 2008 by Peggy
I bought a 12 ounce bottle of Block Oil at World Market. Looking for mineral oil to protect some new wooden cutting boards I received as a gift, I found Block Oil instead.
Mineral oil may sound like a natural product, but did you ever think about it as a by-product of gasoline production? That’s exactly what it is. That makes it less appealing to me.
Block Oil by Homewood is all natural. The ingredients include: refined seed oil, lemon oil, vitamin E and carotene. It’s designed to protect wood and bamboo butcher blocks, salad bowls, cutting boards and utensils.
Block Oil is supposed to prevent cracking, drying and absorption of food odors. The directions are simple: Apply with clean cloth and allow to penetrate for 10 minutes. After that, polish with a soft cloth.
Block Oil benefits:
•Smells natural and lemony.
•Safe for food surfaces.
•Comes in recyclable bottle.
•Will never become rancid (according to Homewood.)
•Easy to use.
•Does its job in sealing and protecting wood that will be washed by hand.
Block Oil negatives:
•Expensive. I didn’t know how much it was going to cost since it didn’t have a price at World Market. It was about $9, but I’m guessing this bottle will last a very long time.
•The directions don’t say how often you should re-apply to protect new products.
What do you use to protect wooden or bamboo cutting boards?
Homewood also makes a variety of other green products like Wood Finish, Mud Soap, Metal Polish, Stubborn Stain Remover and Natural Countertop Cleaner.
Image via Homewood.