Since then, Steve has focused passionately on manipulating his wood... in his workshop. Learn about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process. The acrid baby choking odors emanating from most paints and finishes are VOCs, used as solvents and driers. Safe to be around is not the same as safe to ingest. Here’s a great article showing what they can do. Mineral oil is often used to “season” wooden cutting boards. But, of course, there’s a little more to the story than that. If you want a truly toxin-free toy box, you will need to: Avoid painted wooden toys, unless they’re made in the United States or Europe or by brands you’ve vetted. Never use chemically treated wood to make toys. Thank you for this very interesting article. Hey, no one ever said babies were easy to care for. Carnauba wax is commonly used as a coating on many glossy candies, fruits and other food items. And trying to match toys with verifiable MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) to appease customs just isn’t feasible. I asked Green Building Supply’s Joel Hirshberg if they had any food grade paints. What we’re actually looking for are products that are “food contact safe”, finishes that are safe to use on food contact items. Before exploring what TO use, perhaps we should first discuss what is NOT toy safe. These paints contain highly controlled ingredients making them safe to use throughout the family home, so a perfect choice if you’re looking to paint furniture, nurseries and toys. For a hard toy safe epoxy finish, you might consider ArtResin. Click to learn more.” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:11|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:2″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeInUp” link=”url:%2Fdelivery|||”][vc_empty_space height=”100px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]. Give your kids the highest-quality tools to create their masterpieces with this “craft paint guide” from Five Star Painting!. For some of the most vibrant colors you’re likely to find, try liquid watercolors. Refer to product labels for cure times. A better alternative to raw linseed oil is “polymerized” linseed oil, which has been heat treated under vacuum. Child Safe paints are deemed exactly that once they are certified under BS EN 71-3:1995 (also known as the ‘Toy Paint Regulations’). So the next time the question comes up, you’ll be able to make a more confident, informed decision. Red, yellow, black or white, a toy you make is a toy that’s right. Various kinds of oils are commonly used as wood finishes and paint base/medium. He replied, “Since no paints are truly edible, we do not call them “food grade.” I was asking the wrong question. Since little kids like my sons chew and teethe on these toys, I want to be especially certain that any coatings or colorings will be safe if ingested. ECOS Paints are non-toxic, VOC-free and certified safe for use on toys and around those who are particularly sensitive to chemical vapors and paint odors. Natura Waterborne Interior Paint continues Benjamin Moore’s commitment to providing the most environmentally friendly paint. But they may have to account for the safety of – and materials used in – the handmade items they distribute, especially when doing charity or mission work outside of their home country. Rust-Oleum even has a line of toy safe paints; in the UK, at least (though I’ve also seen some of it on Amazon). This harkens back to the clear finishes, but adding color to a toy can be as simple as using different wood species. Shellac is a different story altogether; it’s actually edible, providing you use the right solvent. And rather than fretting over finishes, you can spend that time working on your next project. These are mostly gone from the market, but still worth keeping in mind. Import, save, and upload images. Thank you, Steve! Which materials and finishes are appropriate for your project depends, in part, on the intended age range of the end user. How to safely paint wooden toys: Every time you paint there's always some prep work - Protect your work surface (by putting down old newsprint or some other covering). We can broadly classify clear finishes as follows (but there is a lot of crossover, especially between waxes and oils): – Oil finishes (penetrating and hard surface). 98. It is essential that you look for “AP non-toxic” seal on the acrylic paint before its use. However, the toy comes with a plastic credit card. However, artist-grade acrylics may be more likely to be toxic or contain heavy metals. I am very new to the world of wooden toys for my kids and this Information is so helpful. It imparts a nice amber hue, but dries very slowly and does not form a hard film. Having encountered the question of toy safe finishes many, many times (including once in the past half hour), I know how confusing it can be. Or, if you’re so inclined, you can find recipes to make your own oil/beeswax finish online. The next tier would be “food safe”; in other words, safe for use on food contact items, such as countertops and salad bowls. Again, there are degrees of “toy safeness”, so we’ll start with the safest (those most suited for the youngest children) and go from there. But avoid potential choking hazards when making toys for young children. Some charities are fine with toys being finished. There’s even such a thing as thermally treated wood that’s been “cooked” to bring on a darker color, greater stability and increased water resistance. $1.00 coupon applied at checkoutSave $1.00with coupon. Vegetable oils, however, can spoil and become rancid; probably not the teat you want your baby suckling. And I don’t disagree. SPEND £24+ AND GET FREE NEXT DAY DELIVERY. Carnauba wax (also known as “Brazil wax” – no, not the bikini kind – or “ceara wax”) is harvested from the leaves of the carnauba tree (also known as the “Brazilian mart wax palm” and “Copernicia Cerifera”), a variety of palm native to northeastern Brazil. I’m looking for an advice. To speed up the process, most companies sell what’s called “boiled” linseed oil (BLO). Luckily, there are ways to color toys in a toy safe manner. I want to use vibrant colors for the blocks and then coat them so that the color stays for the long haul even with lots of kid mileage. Be careful when allowing your child to play with old or antique toys that might be present within a friend and family member's home. It should contain zero volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.. Joel went on to say that “The only finishes/sealers [they] offer that are truly edible are AFM Safecoat Naturals Oil, Bioshield Herbal Oil and Bioshield Wood Counter Finish.” So they do exist; and we’ll get to some more in a bit. Thank you so much for this article. Some charities, for example, may only accept unfinished toys (more on that later). Get it as soon as Tue, Feb 2. Some sources say that pretty much any topcoat – shellacs, lacquers and varnishes – is non-toxic and inert once fully cured, and leave it at that. Then we’ll circle back around to the good stuff. What size is considered to be a choking hazard? $24. Actually, I take that back; no diaper should ever be treated as safe. Learn More > Dismiss, Copyright 2020 Sprayster | All Rights Reserved | Sprayster is a subsidiary of Wintra Limited | This Website Has Been Developed In-House By Sprayster, Wintra Limited, Sprayster.com, Queensway, Main Road, West Bilney, King's Lynn, PE32 1HW. Suitable for wood, metal and ceramic surfaces. There are ways to color wood in a “toy safe” manner, but let’s begin with clear finishes. It helps rejuvenate dried wood and prevent cracking. Of all the topics I’ve looked into over the years, few are as mired in confusion as that of toy safe finishes. Life with little ones can be a balancing act – luckily, our Modern finishes have it down to a tee. Guidance for businesses. So it’s ultimately up to you to verify these findings for yourself and decide whether or not to heed the advice and recommendations presented. Another food grade finish is good old fashion shellac, a mildly waxy resin that’s secreted by the lac beetle (lac bug). They may not want to assume unnecessary liability. When choosing a safe paint for the nursery, ask for a water-based product. Hi Jenny! As we’ll discover, there are more options that you might think. But some (my local woodworking club, for example) ask that all toys be bare, unfinished wood. In December 2010, the Government of Canada restricted the use of six chemicals (phthalates) in the soft vinyl of children's toys and child care articles such as bath toys, baby bibs and teethers. Painting is a wonderful, creative outlet for children of all ages, but is their paint safe? If in doubt, consider a “lead in paint and dust” test kit, such as this one sold by The Home Depot. It soaks deep into wood, bringing out the color. Toys for young children (and the components of the toys) should be durable and sufficiently large. If you’ve ever made a wooden toy only to scratch your head wondering what kind of finish you should use, you know it can be a hard road to navigate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); We've restructured our pricing. ECOS Paints (also marketed as “Lullaby Paints”) is a worry-free color option for your baby’s nursery. They are often mixed with oils for a finish that penetrates the wood fibers and leaves a waxy film on the surface. They are as easy to use as food coloring, but available in a lot more colors and come already diluted to the optimal concentration. For best results, allow the water to completely evaporate away then seal the project with one of the clearcoat options above. The ever-popular cash register is made primarily of maple and birch wood. As previously noted, many premade “oil” finishes are actually mixtures of oil and wax. Certified Toy Safe, this paint is suitable for toys and children’s furniture and has met the strict requirements of European Union EN-71-3 toy safety standards. Mythic Paint Shellac is prone to damage from some household cleaners, softens in high heat, scratches pretty easily and prolonged contact with water can cause discoloration. You probably won’t want to devour them by the block, but both waxes are “food grade” and relatively safe for little mouths. Apply several coats until the wood stops absorbing, then wipe off any excess. Don’t confuse “VOC-free” with “non-toxic”. Only purchase bird toys from manufacturers that label their toys as lead and zinc free. Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. According to their website, Biofa 2052 Complies with the requirements for “. If you have any doubts about a toy's safety, remove it immediately. Pin Share Email Petri Oeschger / Getty Images. And it can take quite a while, as it involves a lot of diaper changes, birthday parties at rat-themed pizza arcades and four years of drinking at the community college. Select toys that are well put together Think big. Do you have any advice for me? The short, simple, answer is that a toy safe finish is one that’s non-toxic. So research their age appropriateness on a case by case basis. And depending on the brand and what they use as a denaturant, it may leave behind a nasty residue. Curing is when all the little baby molecules link and grow up to form larger, adult molecules (scientifically speaking, of course), in a chemical process known as “polymerization”. And that’s fine for most projects. Safe for Earth. Natura goes beyond zero VOC to offer zero emissions, making it a safer paint for your family and the environment, all without compromise to performance or color selection. With children who no longer taste test everything within arm’s reach, you can obviously get away with a lot more. Patricia is a freelance writer who has published articles about birds online and in print for over a decade. Like carnauba wax, shellac is also used to give many candies, coffee beans and pills that glossy sheen. The first two are sometimes used on toys but – since there’s some (probably over-hyped) controversy surrounding those as baby toy finishes – I’m hesitant to give a solid recommendation (I’m also not ruling them out). A lot of products sold as “tung oil” contain little or no tung oil, but rather, other resins, thinners and chemical driers. Paint online with natural brushes, layers, and edit your drawings. It would be awesome if you can pass on your knowledge! Clear finishes also enhance – and usually darken – the grain. Finishes that have not completely cured are likely still off-gassing. Unlike vegetable oils – which contain fats – mineral oil will never go rancid. Like other “drying” oils, tung oil hardens by curing; not evaporation. Paint Safety for Your Pets and Sensitive Loved Ones. Certified Toy-Safe, this paint can also be used to decorate children's toys and furniture. Bee’s wax and carnauba wax are the most commonly used toy safe waxes. But I suspect most kids prefer color. Inside and Outside. Competitive pricing your wallet will thank you for. A multi-purpose, water-based paint for a wide range of small projects and crafts. While VOCs aren’t something you want in your child’s mouth, the term actually refers to air quality (not oral hazard) and becomes a lot less of an issue once a finish has cured. But as you see, there are a lot of toy safe finishes out there. hi christele! Probably way more than you thought. This increases its viscosity and drastically shortens drying time. Combining our trademark rich colours and scrubbable finishes with the gentlest of water based formulations, they offer baby-safe paint for cots, cribs, and even toys. If you are creative enough to have made your own toys or simply wish to personalise or update toys and furniture that you have purchased, Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch brush paint is the perfect solution. Safe for You. The following information will help you navigate your options and avoid some common pitfalls. It should be applied thinly and given plenty of time to dry between coats (several days, sometimes), or it can become a sticky, gooey mess. Safe & Strong. Tried & True polymerized Linseed Oil and Beeswax Finish: Filed Under: Featured, Painting, Resources, Safety, Woodworking Tagged With: baby safe, non toxic, toy finishes, toy safe, VOC. Rust-Oleum Blue Chalkboard Brush Paint Matt Toy Safe 250ml £ 7.25; Rust-Oleum Bright Neon Green Paint Toy Safe 125ml £ 7.25; Rust-Oleum Bright Neon Pink Paint Toy Safe 125ml £ 6.65; Rust-Oleum Bright Neon Yellow Paint Toy Safe 125ml £ 7.25; Rust-Oleum Buttercup Yellow Gloss Spray Paint Painter’s Touch Craft Enamel 150ml £ 5.99 I make wood toy and paint them with natural water painting (pigment, gom arabic…). From: Office for Product Safety and Standards. It’s sold as an “intestinal lubricant”. So mix only enough for your project. If you want to be absolutely sure no toxic residues are left behind, Malcolm suggests using pure grain alcohol (ethanol) – such as Everclear – as your solvent. They’re also softer than their cured counterparts, and therefore more readily scraped or chewed away. It may be perfectly fine to have small parts and delicate features on something an 8 year old or teenager is going to use. *” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:2″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeInUp”][vc_custom_heading text=”*UK mainland only. Lightly sand the toy just to rough the finish and scuff it up. Resin finishes come in several varieties, including lacquer, polyurethane, epoxy and shellac. I am just trying to determine if this is a safe product for items that may end up in a toddlers mouth. Learn how your comment data is processed. Steve made his first woodworking project at age 9 (in 1982) and whittled his first wooden chain at 18. 3 Tips for Choosing Safer, Non-Toxic Toys. It’s best if you don’t think about it. The Directivelays down the safety criteria that toys must meet before they can be marketed in the EU. Do not donate the toy. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Remember that they can be rough and break off small parts, they like to gnaw on things and nothing gets in the way of a good teething session. $24.98. There are many woodworking clubs, churches and charitable groups who gladly accept toy donations that they can pass along to children in need, especially around the holidays. Mineral oil can be found in any drug store. $13.99$13.99. Premium Quality. Derived from the edible flax seed, raw/cold pressed linseed oil (NOT “boiled” linseed oil) can be used for toys. And it too is sprayed on a lot of the fruits and vegetables you buy at the supermarket to increase shelf life and make them look pretty. The wild card, he points out, is in the solvent. We really can’t weigh in on the safety of Biofa (or any other specific product). While not usually thought of as a “toy safe” finish, it doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid the most obvious wood colorant: paint. But some may continue off-gassing for years. . APPLICATIONS. However, all three are bug secretions (not excretions), which is still pretty gross. Acrylics – Many brands of acrylics are certified as “AP non-toxic” making them safe to use on wooden toys. Tung oil (also known as China wood oil) comes from the seed of the tung tree and was supposedly introduced to the West by Marco Polo. Published: 1 January 2021. Many woodworkers use denatured alcohol as their shellac solvent. Lead paint continues to show up in Chinese-made toys. Using an oil based finish over a water based stain (or vise versa). [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1544627832832{background: #f0f0f2 url(https://www.sprayster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Sprayster-Color-Category-Background.png?id=88276) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Toy Safe Paint” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:90|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_custom_heading text=”BUY AS MANY AS YOU WANT AND ONLY PAY £3.40 POSTAGE MAXIMUM. But the realm of finishes is vast and I’ve undoubtedly missed some things. If you have any tips, concerns or favorite toy safe finishes, please let us know in the comments. But it doesn’t dry hard and is best followed by a wax topcoat. I am working on some hand carved Hebrew alphabet blocks for my one-year old grandson. And since it’s not thinned with all the usual fillers, it provides better coverage than many other paints. Now that we’ve frightened those pearly deciduous choppers back into your toddler’s gums, let’s revisit our original question: What Makes A Good Toy Safe Finish? A lot of woodworkers prefer to show off the wood’s natural beauty. No plug-ins, free. Before embarking on a toy making spree, find out if there are any specific guidelines or requirements you should be aware of – and remember the things we said you should always avoid – so that your efforts aren’t in vain. Patricia Sund. Dilute food coloring with water and use it to dye bare wood by dipping, spraying, painting or sponging it on. Assess the safety of a new toy by supervising your bird's play activities with the toy for the first few days. . As woodworkers, we love to see that pretty wood grain – and clear finishes are by far the most popular choices for baby toys. Another, often overlooked, way to add color to a toy is by scorching with a torch, woodburner or CNC laser engraver. Get access to free prizes, product sneak-peeks, reviews, how-to's and much more! Like it or not, we’ve all eaten the stuff. When painting walls or furniture for the very young, the elderly or anyone else who may be particularly intolerant or sensitive to chemicals or odors, try low VOC paints and finishes. Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch brush paint is "Toy Safe", subject to Toy Standard Testing: BS EN 71-3: 2013 + A1:2014, Migration of Certain Elements. Don't judge him. Whether you’re a concerned parent or just a woodworker who wants to be sure your products won’t endanger the health of curious young mouths, you too may have asked “What finishes are safe for wooden toys?” It’s a simple question with a slightly complicated answer. THE SAFE CHOICE FOR KIDS Since Real Milk Paint is a non-toxic substance with a zero-VOC content, its use is ideal as an interior paint for family homes, children’s items and accessories, and even old wooden toys that need a little TLC. A clear finish will help keep the wood free of stains, make it easier to clean, and reduce any possible irritation for kids who may be sensitive to certain nut or oily woods, such as walnut, cedar or cocobolo. No, it’s not actually harvested from tiny bug diapers, and it’s no worse than beeswax or honey. Or buy finishes that are 100% VOC free. Any specific recommendations? . Toy Safety March 2013 Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia Supervise your child to ensure the toy is being used safely. Although this is the typical medium Hape use to manufacture their toys, sometimes plastic is used on certain parts of a toy. Note that “toy” in this context refers mostly (but not exclusively) to those intended for young children, who are often prone to putting things – absolutely every thing – into their mouths. So buckle up your booster seat and we’ll see if we can make some sense of it all. VOCs often come up when discussing toy safe finishes, but the presence or absence of VOCs is not a good indicator of whether or not a product is “toy safe”. Get it as soon as Tue, Mar 2. He was also a consumer electronics repair tech and shop owner for a little over 20 years, until his impending obsolescence became impossible to ignore. What would be the best solution? One of the most common oils for treating food preparation surfaces is medical grade mineral oil. But it’s not so desirable on that baby rattle you turned for your granddaughter. One thing’s for sure: there are degrees of safety. If you suspect a toy may have been manufactured with lead or lead paint, take the toy away from your child and throw it away. I found a hard oil that works, but it smells like wood, so white, blue and green are no longer correct. Composite materials, such as MDF or plywood, can also be a problem if not sufficiently smoothed, sealed and finished. He reiterated that shellac itself is non-toxic (and actually edible). View Resene’s profile , Quality Policy , Environmental Policy and Health & Safety Policy . Especially once they’ve outgrown their “the world is my binky” stage. I reached out to a bunch of companies, did lots of research and even polled some fellow woodworkers to unearth the elusive answers and steer you in the right direction. From the research I have done, it appears that they use “boiled” oils, but it does not specifically say if this is Linseed oil, which I know your article says to avoid at all costs on children’s toys. Some mineral oil finishes are sold pre-mixed with wax. Toys must also comply with any other EU legislation applicable to them. To be sure, give it a full week or two after application. Did you ever find a solution. It’s the same stuff as “baby oil”, but without the perfumes. When it comes to toy safe colorants, it doesn’t get any safer than food coloring. 404. So let’s dig a bit deeper and see where the simple answers begin to fall apart. But that’s a whole other topic. Australian made and owned, Ecolour has been helping customers breathe easy with premium quality, zero-VOC paint for over 12 years. Rust-Oleum even has a line of toy safe paints; in the UK, at least (though I’ve also seen some of it on Amazon). One of the scary-sounding things you’ll encounter when researching finishes is “VOCs”. One year we had a member at our woodworking club make a bunch of toys out of pressure treated lumber and they were all rejected for safety reasons. Natura is truly “Green Without Compromise®.” 9. But for older kids who aren’t going to stick it in their mouths, pretty much any lacquer or polyurethane will do just fine. Fast free delivery for orders over $150* 10 Year Guarantee for complete piece of mind. Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Cherry Red Gloss Paint 250ml Toy Safe £ 8.59; Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Green Gloss Paint 250ml Toy Safe £ 7.25; Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Bright Yellow Gloss Paint 20ml Toy Safe £ 1.99; Rust-Oleum Painters Touch White Matt Paint 20ml Toy Safe £ 1.99; Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Bright Orange Gloss Paint 20ml Toy Safe £ 1.99 When trying to distill exactly what makes a finish (a paint, stain, clear coat, or other surface treatment) “toy safe”, it’s sometimes hard to get a straight answer. * Best Finish For Wooden Toys – Woodworker’s Journal, * What size is considered to be a choking hazard? There’s an old truism that if you want to test how well you understand something, try explaining it to someone else. Linseed oil is one of the few naturally drying oils. But boiled linseed oil (heated, but not actually boiled) has toxic drier chemicals added and should not be used for young children’s toys. So I put this page together to be a collected resource for people who might like to make or paint toys. Choose the Right Paint. But the rich, warm tones make for an inviting finish. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Our vision is to be respected as a trusted, ethical and sustainable company and acknowledged as the leading provider of innovative paint and colour technology. “Food grade” is the safest of all, but few finishes are truly food grade. Zero VOC emission paints have less … You are a good writer as well as an obviously good craftsman. Hi! The essential safety requirements cover 1. general risks: the health and safety of children, as well as other people such as parents or caregivers 2. particular risks: physical and mechanical, flammability, chemical, electrical, hygiene and radioactivity risks The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC replaced the former Directive 88/37… Woods naturally come in a huge variety of colors and clear finishes can really make those colors pop. Read about everything happening now and in the future. the EN 71, Part 3 (safety of children’s toys.”. It's really hard to find good information about how to paint, stain, or dye wooden toys with safe, non-toxic paints, stains, or dyes. FEATURES. Veggie Baby Finger Paints for Toddlers, Vegan, Organic Baby Safe Coloring, Play, Colorful Eco Painting (5 Colors) 4.3 out of 5 stars. Tempera – This paint is quite non-toxic and crummy. It’s also a great choice for wooden toys. Updated 11/05/19. And apply them with plenty of ventilation. So prepare your project according to the manufacturers’ recommendations, and give paints a couple weeks to fully cure before giving to a young child. Just because a finish is dry to the touch doesn’t mean it’s fully cured. Written by. But, “denaturing” is basically the process of making the alcohol poisonous to drink. I am looking to purchase some items from a private seller who uses this to seal her products. Children usually get along just fine with painted furniture, toy boxes and other large objects.