Some Facts about Linseed Oil

A recent household-related newspaper column suggested using “mother’s recipe for furniture polish.” It was made of vinegar, turpentine, and boiled linseed oil. Do not use boiled linseed oil. The polish was used by museums for years until curators discovered it formed a solid crust that darkened wood and could not be removed.

Today we know that the boiled linseed oil sold in hardware and paint stores contains arsenic, beryllium, chromium, cadmium, nickel, and lead, all dangerous to humans. Rags used with linseed oil and left in a pile have led to spontaneous combustion and fires.
Sometimes mothers’ recipes are great and other times, modern chemistry says try another cure!