Linseed oil is a natural product that is extremely useful in the home.
Flaxseed oil has many virtues that are highly beneficial to health. Including it in your diet is therefore extremely positive. But that’s not its only use.
In fact, it can be used in a number of areas, including DIY to maintain wooden furniture and to shine and waterproof other materials.
Read on to find out more about the many uses of linseed oil in the home. Linseed oil use :
What are the different types of linseed oil?
First of all, it’s worth noting that there are several types of linseed oil, and consequently several uses for each of them.
- Natural raw linseed oil : this oil is obtained by cold-pressing linseed. It is a high-quality oil that is naturally suitable for use in food. On the other hand, it is not recommended for DIY use, as it dries slowly and turns wood yellow.
- Linseed stand oil: this is a thickened oil with interesting properties for DIY use, particularly in painting, as it makes the material greasier and prevents it from drying out prematurely.
- Boiled linseed oil: this is a linseed oil perfectly suited to DIY work, and in particular, for application on wood.
Linseed oil has the ability to hydrate many materials. It is used, for example, to nourish wood furniture, but also on porous floors in need of waterproofing, such as real cement tile surfaces.
Linseed oil is totally harmless to the environment and is a 100% natural product, making it an interesting alternative to many chemical products with similar properties, such as varnish.
From a nutritional point of view, linseed oil is very rich in omega 3 and can be perfectly integrated into a healthy and varied diet. It is also renowned for its high fatty acid content, with no less than 70% of its total weight being good for the body. It is also used in cosmetics for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
Linseed oil (Linum usitatissimum) can be used in a thousand and one safe ways, as it is a natural product whose benefits have been recognized since time immemorial, and its fibers have been used in the manufacture of textiles since antiquity.
How do I use linseed oil?
Linseed oil is not used in the same way, depending on the purpose for which it is intended. There are, of course, food and non-food uses.
Linseed oil in food
[winamaz asin=”B018G968V6″ template=”horizontal”]Linseed oil can be used in cooking, but only if it is edible linseed oil obtained by first cold pressing. This oil is one of the richest in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. It is therefore excellent for your health.
Linseed oil is only used raw, mainly as a seasoning. Never use linseed oil for cooking or frying.
To keep it in optimal condition, place in the refrigerator after opening, and consume within 3 months. Linseed oil is fragile and unstable, and tends to go rancid after this period.
Linseed oil for DIY and the plastic arts
The linseed oil sold in DIY stores can be used for a wide range of activities, and its properties are numerous. It is mainly used :
- To make black soap
- In vegetable inks
- As a paint binder
- To nourish and protect materials such as wood, leather, terracotta, stone, etc.
- To care for horses’ hooves
- To make a natural shoe polish with beeswax
- And much, much more!
Linseed oil also stands out for its ability to protect and waterproof interior and exterior materials while preserving their natural appearance. It can easily replace chemical products such as lacquer and varnish.
Linseed oil for wood
One of linseed oil’s most popular uses is for wood care, particularly for oak and beech.
[winamaz asin=”B0741D4LGG” template=”horizontal”]In this case, linseed oil is just as effective as wood wax. It restores the wood’s shine while protecting it from everyday aggressions such as weathering, UV rays, dust, dirt and so on. But linseed oil also protects wood against humidity, as it is water-repellent, and this linseed oil treatment helps prevent the appearance of fungus, mildew and insect attack.
Not only can parquet floors be protected, but also wooden furniture and woodwork.
Linseed oil brings out the wood’s natural color and gives the surface a slightly satin finish, but does not stain as turpentine would.
For optimum maintenance, linseed oil should be applied approximately once a year to furniture and twice a year to parquet.
Directions for use: Linseed oil should always be applied to a perfectly clean, dry surface. Apply several coats with a brush. Allow to dry for 12 to 24 hours. Finally, for a beautiful finish, we recommend sanding the entire surface with fine-grain sandpaper.
Homemade waxing with linseed oil
Linseed oil can also be used to make your own eco-friendly shoe polish. It can be used to polish leather accessories such as bags and shoes.
Restoring the shine of bamboo furniture
A little-known application for linseed oil is on bamboo furniture and accessories. For example, a worn bamboo carpet that has lost its lustre can be restored to its original beauty with the right linseed oil care.
How much does linseed oil cost, and where can I buy it?
Edible linseed oil can simply be bought in supermarkets and organic stores, or online with home delivery. The price varies widely according to the quality of the oil and whether or not it is organic. Non-food grade linseed oil can be found in DIY stores.
Generally speaking, it costs between 5 and 10 euros a liter.
