Non-Toxic Stain

[Groggy]

(Originally posted by cathymary10 in the Blog section and moved here by moderator)

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering does anyone know a non toxic stain I can use for a chopping table (it's for the kitchen).
I have gone to a number of hardware, craft and art shops and no one can help.
The only advise I can get is to use one of a number of oils. But, I would like to be able to give it a uniform stain.
Any help would be appreciated.

Hobby wood worker

[dennford]

food colouring comes to mind.

Denn

[thumbsucker]

Coffee, and tea are two classical stains that come to mind also pure carbon is non toxic it is what used for black in tattoos today.

Turmeric is also a good non toxic stain.

Many root vegetable can be used for stain as well.

Visit an art supply store and ask about some non toxic rock oxides, with a large color range.

St Lukes in Collingwood is the best by far, most art shops buy from them.

[dennford]

I seem to remember onion skins

Denn

[MacS]

Do you intend to coat over the stain, or just stain the cutting board.

If your intention is only to stain the piece, its just a matter of time you will have to keep staining it, regardless if it a pigmented stain or dye colors they will not last long.

Someone mentioned food coloring that is a safe coloring, but in time will lose its color, so be prepared to recolor.

You might want to mix the food color into vinegar, it will penetrate the wood better.

Good Luck

[echnidna]

Neils Dyes might be ok, ask him

[astrid]

What colour do you want.
traditional van dyke crystals spring to mind for a walnut brown I believe that this is made from walnut husks and should be safe
steel wool left in vinager will give black and is color fast
tea and coffee have been mentioned
washing down with soda crystals will deepen the natural colour of some timber
also remember that many waterbased stains will raise the grain in most timber so wash the piece down with hot water first, let dry completely then fine sand before staining

cheers
astrid

[astrid]

sorry forgot to mention that if you put the stain on as hot as you can it will petetrate deeper but be fast or it may go on unevenly
astrid

[MacS]

if it will dissolve in water, then use vinegar (acetic acid) it penetrates deeper.

[Cliff Rogers]

All of the above & beetroot, DAMHIK.

If you (read me) have a salad sandwich with beetroot in it....

[cathymary10]

Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge with me, it is very kind.

Being a novice I think I will try "St Lukes" in Collingwood for a commercial product.

You have given me so many opinions.

I am going to varnish it, but I think I will just stain the cutting board.

Once again thank you for your help it is appreciated greatly.