Yes, there are several low-odor wood stains available on the market. These stains are formulated with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are the chemicals that contribute to the strong odor of traditional wood stains.
Low-odor wood stains offer several benefits:
- Reduced odor: They produce significantly less odor than traditional stains, making them ideal for use in enclosed spaces or for people who are sensitive to strong smells.
- Improved indoor air quality: By emitting fewer VOCs, low-odor stains contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
- Safer for use around children and pets: The reduced odor and VOCs make them a safer option for use in homes with children or pets.
- Easier to apply: Low-odor stains often have a smoother consistency, making them easier to apply and achieve a more even finish.
Here are some popular brands of low-odor wood stains:
- BEHR: BEHR offers a wide range of low-odor wood stains, including both water-based and oil-based options. Their stains are available in a variety of colors and finishes, and they are known for their durability and ease of application.
- Minwax: Minwax is another popular brand of wood stain that offers a variety of low-odor options. Their stains are known for their rich colors and high quality.
- General Finishes: General Finishes offers a line of water-based wood stains that are both low-odor and environmentally friendly. Their stains are available in a wide range of colors and are known for their durability and ease of application.
- ECOS: ECOS is a brand that specializes in environmentally friendly cleaning and home improvement products. Their wood stains are zero VOC, non-toxic, and odorless.
When choosing a low-odor wood stain, consider the following factors:
- The type of wood you are staining: Different types of wood require different types of stains. Be sure to choose a stain that is compatible with the type of wood you are working with.
- The desired color and finish: Low-odor wood stains are available in a variety of colors and finishes. Choose a stain that will complement the existing décor of your home.
- The application method: Some low-odor wood stains are designed to be applied with a brush, while others can be applied with a rag or sponge. Choose the application method that you are most comfortable with.
- The drying time: Low-odor wood stains typically have a longer drying time than traditional stains. Be sure to allow the stain to dry completely before applying a topcoat.
Here are some additional tips for using low-odor wood stains:
- Work in a well-ventilated area: Even though low-odor stains emit fewer VOCs, it is still important to work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any fumes.
- Wear gloves and a respirator: Wear gloves to protect your hands from the stain and a respirator to protect your lungs from any fumes.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when applying the stain.
- Test the stain on a scrap piece of wood: Before applying the stain to your project, test it on a scrap piece of wood to ensure that you are happy with the color and finish.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The Home Depot’s guide to low-odor wood stains: https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/low-odor-wood-stains/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9012e272c9
- Minwax’s guide to choosing the right wood stain: https://www.minwax.com/wood-finishing-101/choosing-stain
- General Finishes’ guide to applying water-based wood stain: https://generalfinishes.com/blog/how-to-apply-water-based-wood-stain
I hope this information helps you find the best low-odor wood stain for your project!
vi Exterior Wood Sealers
You can use stronger oils outside than you would indoors to protect wood surfaces like decks, siding, fences, and outdoor furniture from the weather. Linseed oil and tung oil-based oils are particularly resilient.
- Similar to their interior oil, Rubio Monocoat Exterior Oil is based on linseed oil, but the company does not list all of the ingredients.
- Polymerized soybean oil, organic flaxseed oil, isoaliphate, modified soybean oil, hemp oil, and carboxylate metallic salts of calcium and manganese are the ingredients used to make AFM Penetrating Oil.
- I like Milk Paint Company Outdoor Defense Oil. It is made of tung oil, pine oil, and zinc. This could be beneficial for you if you respond well to tung and pine oil. The most durable natural oil for decks, fences, and outdoor furniture is this one, even though applying it can be a little laborious.
- The best water-based synthetic coating is Vermont Natural Coatings Exterior PolyWhey, and it works wonders on decks, fences, and other outdoor wood.
- AFM has introduced Polyureseal EXT, an acrylic/polyurethane exterior clear sealer. It can be used on outdoor furniture. It can be applied to properly prepared concrete, previously painted surfaces, raw wood, and wood stained with Safecoat wood stains.
Visit my dedicated post on deck, fence, and outdoor furniture stains and sealers for more options and information on these sealants.
Natural Non-Toxic Wood Sealers
Natural oils such as linseed, tung, refined hemp, soy, and walnut oil can be used independently to seal and shield wood. They are called drying oils.
Drying oils seep into, fortify, and protect wood, leaving behind a durable finish that doesn’t go rancid.
Coconut oil if refined can be used on wood and won’t go rancid. But it’s not a drying oil, meaning it won’t polymerize and form a durable coating (source). I wouldn’t recommend using olive or other (non-drying) oils because those can go rancid on wood.
Linseed Oil and Tung Oil are the traditional natural finishing oils for wood. These are the two toughest natural oil finishes, with tung oil being the toughest.
Both are great for wood floors. (If you’re interested in learning which solvents are required and how intricate the application is, make sure to check out my post on oil finishes for floors.)
For those who are chemically sensitive, they can cause discomfort as they release aldehydes and other compounds into the air, despite being natural, legally non-VOC, and technically non-toxic.
I go into great detail about tung and linseed in a separate post. That includes a look at Rubio Monocoat and Odies Oil.
I consider additives such as added chemicals, potential metals, compounds they offgas, and when they fully cure.
As I discuss in the post on these oils, linseed and/or tung are frequently referred to as “teak oil” or “Danish oil,” however this is a general term that can indicate that it’s pure or combined with additives.
Hemp Oil is often my top choice for an all-natural drying oil for wood (but not floors) due to how mild and safe the odor is.
I coated every interior wood in my tiny, chemical-free house with hemp oil.
It does have a faint scent that I find to be pleasant. I would purchase a tiny quantity initially to check for any personal sensitivities or allergies.
The only ingredient in the Homestead House and Milk Paint Company brands is hemp oil.
I used the Milk Paint brand and was happy with it. If you order it directly through their website you can get 10% off with code mychemicalfreehouse. You can also buy it on Amazon.
Because tung oil and linseed oil are more resilient than this wood finish, it isn’t applied to floors. Tung oil is the most durable, followed by linseed oil. If those oils work well for you, then hardwood floors are a better fit for them.
Make sure it’s refined hemp oil, not the edible oil from the grocery store, as hemp oil is meant for wood finishes.
For wooden toys, butcher block countertops, and other surfaces that come into contact with food, this finish is unquestionably among the healthiest and safest choices.
Another drying oil that is used on surfaces such as raw slate, soapstone, sandstone, onyx, non-glossy marble, concrete countertops, and granite
I tested the Milk Paint walnut oil (pictured on the tray) and the odor is very mild, even lighter than hemp. I was extremely happy with its performance on stones.
I go into more detail about sealing different kinds of stone in the countertop post.
Though it’s not as strong as the oils mentioned above, you can use it on wood, though it works best on cutting boards, toys, bookshelves, and décor pieces.
You can buy Milk Paint walnut oil on Amazon or on their website. You can use code mychemicalfreehouse for 10% off on the website.
Another oil to check out is Penofin Verde which is Brazilian rosewood oil mixed with other natural oils. They use “vegetable ester solvents” and I would expect a solvent odor and some offgassing here.
In high-traffic areas, wood requires reapplication of oils every few years or more.
See my post where I test them all for information on applying natural drying oils to stones (which ones protect them and which ones can discolor them).
Alternative to stain no smell
FAQ
Is there a stain that doesn’t smell?
What wood stain has no fumes?
What is the best wood finish that doesn’t smell?
How do you stain wood without it smelling?
Is wood stain smell dangerous?
Yes, wood stain smell is harmful to human health. It can pose serious health problems such as allergies, dizziness, and even respiratory issues. Use proper protection when exposed to these poisonous wood stains. Will vinegar get rid of the wood stain smell? Distilled white vinegar will help reduce the intensity of the wood stain smell.
Where can I buy low odor interior wood stain?
Low Odor – Interior Wood Stains – Paint – The Home Depot Get free shipping on qualified Low Odor Interior Wood Stains or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Paint Department.
Does a wood stain odor go away if ventilated?
Although ventilating your home may not eliminate the wood stain odor, it helps lessen its intensity. The amount of time the wood stain will take to dry depends on the type of wood stain, the wood itself, and the number of coats applied. This factor also affects how long the wood stain smell will linger around.
How long does wood stain smell last?
Depending on the type of wood stain you have used it will take more or less 72 hours for the smell to disappear. Wait at least 72 hours to return to a room that has been freshly stained, even if you can no longer smell wood stain fumes. Use an air purifier to help reduce VOC levels in the air. Is the wood stain smell harmful?