'Oils' well when it comes to cleaning house

Over the last week, I've received several calls from folks wanting information on various oils that we use in cleaning our homes and vehicles. I thought I would discuss, in this week's article, five of the most common. They are lemon oil, linseed oil, neat's-foot oil, pine oil and tung oil.

Lemon oil has a very pleasant scent. We use it to beautify and preserve dry or bare wood, it also can restore the glow to varnished or sealed wood. It polishes stainless steel, brightens the finish on laminates, protects ceramic tile from soap scum and shines up anodized aluminum.

Linseed oil is used to condition and seal bare wood. Linseed oil is derived from the seed of flax, or linseed. It works well in preserving and protecting outdoor furniture. Linseed oil is used as an ingredient in many paints, varnishes and stains. Linseed oil dries very slowly. Caution should be used when using this product because it can spontaneously combust. Soak the rags in water after use.

Neat's-foot oil is an oil that is derived from cattle hooves. This amber-looking oil is used mostly as a leather conditioner. It's used primary to soften and keep supple baseball gloves, saddles and work boots. This item should not be used if you want a shine on something because it will leave a dull finish.

Pine oil is distilled from pine trees. It is used primarily as an ingredient in all purpose cleaners. These cleaners have the power to clean, deodorize and, to a limited degree, disinfect. Solutions that have more than 20 percent of pine oil are effective germ fighters. Less that 20 percent just make germs smell better. It should be noted that most cleaners only have a pine scent or perfume added and there's actually no oil in the product.

Tung oil is extracted from the nut of the tung tree. Tung oil penetrates into wood pores and seals against moisture. The oil dries hard, however, but doesn't lose its elasticity. Tung oil is often found in oil-based paint and varnishes. Tung oil also can be used alone as a sealer and protective coating for wood surfaces. Caution should be used when using this product because it can spontaneously combust. Soak the rags in water after use.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compound. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Environmental Ser-vices (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified executive housekeeper and chief executive officer of Northwest Environmental Services.