Is Linseed Oil suitable for protecting natural wood?

Date Posted:11 November 2025 

Linseed Oil is a classic and suitable choice for protecting natural wood, especially indoor furniture and decorative wood. It enhances the color, grain, adds warmth, and provides a breathable protective layer.

What is Raw Linseed Oil?

Linseed Oil is obtained from the seed of the linseed–flax plant and is one of the most useful, and most popular natural finishing oils in the world. The oil has a yellowish to brownish color and a thick consistency.

It has been used for centuries in the protection and maintenance of wood surfaces. One of the primary uses of Linseed Oil is as a wood finish or varnish. It has been valued for its ability to penetrate deep into the wood, providing a protective, water-resistant coating.

Linseed Oil is also used in paint for artistic purposes. It can be mixed with pigments to create oil-based paints that dry slowly, allowing artists to work with the colors for extended periods. Additionally, Linseed Oil is utilised in the manufacturing of linoleum, printing inks, and certain types of adhesives.

Raw vs Boiled Linseed Oil for Wood Finishing

Raw Linseed Oil is the purest form of the oil, extracted from the flax seed and sold without any chemicals, solutions, or additives to preserve it. It can be quite affordable due to the minimal processing required to create it. However, a slow drying time can limit its uses to items where drying time is not a consideration.

Boiled Linseed Oil is regular Linseed Oil that is treated with heat or includes chemicals to help it dry quicker. These harmful chemicals can include nasties such as arsenic, beryllium, chromium, cadmium and nickel. The addition of these chemicals restricts the use to non food based applications such as preserving tool handles, decks and furniture.

The best kind of fast drying Linseed Oil is double boiled or polymerized, this treatment eliminates the use of harmful additives but can be more expensive. This oil has gone through a vacuum cooking process at very high temperatures, which shortens its drying time significantly.

How often should I apply it?

Both oils will provide a similar level of nourishment and protection to the wood. For maintenance of new or used items, re-oiling once a year is sufficient for year-round protection.

Benefits of using Linseed Oil for Wood Finishing

  • Deep penetration
  • Golden to amber
  • Enhances the beauty of the grain
  • Affordable and ecological
  • Non-film forming (as opposed to varnishes)
  • Satin finish
  • Waterproof, elastic and wear-resistant finish
  • Easy to use
  • Easy care
  • Compatible with most oils