9 Best Waxes To Use On Your Dining Table

Furniture wax, typically made from natural beeswax and carnauba wax is a traditional table finishing method that has been used for over a 100 years. Applying a wax finish to your dining table helps to prolong its life and appearance. 

Waxing your table (as opposed to other table finishes) is especially popular due to its ease of application and the way it highlights all the beautiful and unique markings found in the wood.

Whilst wax can be used on its own, it can also be used to complement other finishes and is often applied over an oil finish to add a protective barrier and leave the wood looking natural.

Contents

• Why use a wax finish?
• What makes a good wax?
• What colour wax should I use?
• Where can I buy wax from?

Why use a wax finish?

Wax is generally easy to apply, gives almost foolproof results and leaves the wood looking both rich and natural.

It’s important to note that wax is soft and melts at low temperatures so may not be as protective as other finishes. However, as wax repels water, it’s good for resisting food and drink spills. Couple this with the fact it’s one of the easiest finishes to repair, wax is generally considered to be one of the best finishes for your dining table.

What makes a good wax?

With hundreds of products on the market, it can be hard to know where to start when looking for a wax to use on your dining table.

So, what should you look out for when choosing the right wax? 

• Natural Ingredients are key – lookout for products that include carnauba wax and beeswax: 
• Carnauba wax. Also known as Brazil wax, this is one of the hardest natural waxes, and therefore the most popular. Derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm found in Northeastern Brazil, carnauba-based waxes are easy to apply, dry quicker and buff to a deep shine. It has a high melting point, protects the surface from harmful UV rays and is completely insoluble in water, meaning it provides excellent waterproof protection.
• Beeswax. Beeswax is a moderately soft, sticky wax which produces one of the most natural-looking finishes. Beeswax contains high-carbon paraffin which not only feeds the wood but also seals and protects its surface; especially from moisture and sunlight. Importantly, as a natural product, Beeswax is widely available and inexpensive. Beeswax is also much safer to leave lying around the house for those with young children.
• Avoid solvent-based waxes if you can. This is because the solvent in the wax can harm the finish. If you do decide to opt for a solvent-based wax, make sure you use this outside as the fumes can be dangerous. With a wide variety of different waxes available, from liquid and solid stick to paste formats, always check the label of the wax you buy. For instance, some paste waxes contain solvents that are highly flammable and combustible, so precaution must always be taken.
• Stain quality. If you’re looking for a coloured wax that will enhance or change the colour of the wood, make sure you check the quality of the colour. Always carry out a patch test in an inconspicuous area of the table before applying it all over. This is to ensure it fits the aesthetic you desire without ruining the whole table.
• Ease of application. When looking for a suitable wax, make sure you check the application process; some are much easier to apply than others. 

What colour wax should I use?

Furniture waxes come in a host of different forms and colours. You can find them in clear, amber, a range of wood tones and even white. Waxes that add colour to wood are helpful if the natural finish of the wood is blotchy, or the wood is lighter than the look you desire.

Alternatively, some people like to completely change the colour of the wood to white or grey, whilst still seeing some of the natural grain underneath. 

At the end of the day, which wax you choose all comes down to personal preference and the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve.

Osmo Wood Wax Transparent Finishes

Where can I buy wax from?

We’ve pulled together some of our favourite waxes and linked to where you can buy them from. We have no affiliation to these sites nor do we take any commission from this post – these are purely listed to help you choose the ideal wax for your dining table.