Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Lover’s Wax
Whether you’re restoring heirlooms, turning bowls, or caring for hardworking kitchen boards, this page gives you clear, no-nonsense answers about our OG Heritage Wax and Food-Safe Wax.
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These quick answers cover the questions we get most often. For deeper details, scroll to the next section.
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What’s the difference between OG Heritage Wax and Food-Safe Wax?
OG Heritage Wax is for everything that doesn’t touch food: antiques, tools, furniture, wood, metal, and leather. Food Safe Wax is our kitchen-ready blend for cutting boards, butcher blocks, charcuterie boards, and wooden utensils. -
Is OG Heritage Wax food-safe?
No. OG Heritage Wax is not food safe and should not be used on anything that will touch food or go in your mouth. Use it on antiques, tools, furniture, and other non-food surfaces. -
What should I use on cutting boards, butcher blocks, charcuterie boards, and utensils?
Always use Food Safe Wax on anything that touches food: cutting boards, butcher blocks, charcuterie boards, wooden spoons, spatulas, salad servers, and serving boards. -
How long does the wax last, and how often should I reapply?
On light-touch pieces finished with OG Heritage Wax, a good wax job can last for years — even decades — before it ever needs attention. Pieces that get handled or used frequently (especially kitchen wood finished with Food Safe Wax and washed regularly) will need more frequent touch-ups. The rule of thumb: if it looks dry, dull, or tired, it’s time for more wax. -
What’s the basic application process?
Wipe on, buff off. Apply a small amount of wax, work it into the surface, and buff right away until it feels smooth and looks even. On super dry or “roached” wood, you can use a heavier coat and really work it in (wax on, wax off), or do a second coat if the first one soaks in quickly.
Want More Details? Dive Deeper.
• What’s the full difference between OG Heritage Wax and Food Safe Wax?
– OG Heritage Wax is for anything that does not touch food: antiques, furniture, tools, leather, metal, and unsealed or porous painted surfaces.
– Food Safe Wax is for anything that does touch food: cutting boards, butcher blocks, charcuterie boards, wooden utensils, serving pieces, bowls, trays, and antique kitchenware.
– Both nourish and protect wood, metal, and leather. If food touches it, choose Food Safe; if not, OG Heritage gives deeper, longer-lasting results.
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• Is OG Heritage Wax food safe?
– No. Anything involving food should use Food Safe Wax.
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• What can I use OG Heritage Wax on?
– Wood old and new
– Antiques and furniture
– Metal
– Leather
– Non-poly painted surfaces
– Not for food-contact items
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• What can I use Food Safe Wax on?
– Any wood that touches food
– Charcuterie boards, butcher blocks, cutting boards
– Wooden utensils, bowls, serving pieces
– Antique kitchenware (wood, metal, leather)
– Can be used anywhere if someone prefers food-safe everywhere
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• What’s the right way to apply WLW wax?
– Wax on, wax off — rub it in and buff out immediately
– No waiting or curing
– Dry wood may want a heavier coat or a second pass
– Can be buffed on a lathe
– If you wait too long before buffing, reapply a tiny amount and buff again
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• How long does OG Heritage Wax last?
– On low-touch pieces, one application can last years or even decades
– Reapply only when the wood begins to look dry
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• How long does Food Safe Wax last?
– Reapply whenever washed wood looks pale or thirsty
– Usually every few weeks to a few months, depending on use
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• Will the wax change my wood color?
– Both waxes gently deepen tone and highlight grain
– No thick, shiny, or plastic finish
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• Can I use WLW wax on finished pieces?
– Yes, if the finish allows absorption
– Works great on matte, waxed, oiled, or porous paint
– Will not penetrate thick polyurethane or glossy sealed finishes
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• Can Food Safe Wax be used on antiques, metal, or leather?
– Yes — Food Safe can be used broadly
– Best choice for food-contact items
– For non-food pieces, OG Heritage provides deeper conditioning
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• How long does a jar last?
– Most households get months to a year or more
– A little goes a long way
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• Which wax should I choose?
– If food touches it, Food Safe
– If not, OG Heritage
– Still unsure? Send us a photo and we’ll help