The oil we finish our own solid oak tables with. Holzöl Worktop-Oil by Morrells is a food-safe, fast-drying blend of modified natural oils that soaks into solid wood and hardens in the grain, giving a natural, low-sheen finish that resists scratches and stains from coffee, wine, cola, fruit juice and alcohol. It is the tin we hand to customers who ask "what do I use to look after it?"
What it's for
- Solid oak and hardwood dining tables, desks and coffee tables
- Kitchen worktops, breakfast bars and island tops
- Chopping boards, serving boards, butcher blocks and bread boards
- Bathroom vanity tops and shelving in solid wood
- Wooden counters, display units and shop fittings that get daily handling
Why we use it
- Food safe when dry and conforms to EN 71-3:2013, so it's fine for tables, boards and surfaces that food touches
- Natural effect, clear, 30% sheen: brings out the grain and warms the colour without a plastic film
- Easy to repair: a scratch or ring mark is rubbed back locally and re-oiled, no stripping the whole top
- Fast drying: recoat in 6 to 8 hours, dry in 12, full hardness after 24
- Goes a long way: roughly 10 to 12 m² per litre per coat, so one tin finishes a large dining table twice with plenty left for yearly top-ups
- Pleasant, low odour. Meets EU VOC limits (2004/42/EC, category A/i)
How to use it
- Surface must be clean, dry and free of old finishes, wax, silicone polish or grease. On new timber sand to 150–180 grit and dust off.
- Apply a thin, even coat with a lint-free cloth or brush, working it into the grain. On oily or exotic timbers thin the first coat up to 15% with white spirit.
- After 6 to 8 hours, lightly key with 220/240 grit and apply a second thin coat.
- Leave 12 hours before light use and 24 hours before heavy use. Use mats under hot dishes for the first week.
- Maintenance: wipe with a lightly damp cloth. When water stops beading or the top looks dry, rub lightly with a fine pad and apply a thin coat. Once a year is typical for a family table.
Thin coats are the secret. A heavy, wet coat stays sticky for days; a thin one is touch-dry in hours. Lay oily cloths flat outside to dry or soak them in water before binning, as they can self-heat.
Details
- Product: Holzöl Worktop-Oil, Natural Effect, Clear (Morrells code 7TO/00/30A)
- Size: 1 litre tin
- Finish: natural effect, approx. 30% sheen
- Coverage: approx. 10–12 m² per litre per coat (depends on timber and method)
- Drying: recoat 6–8 h, dry 12 h, maximum hardness 24 h
- Thinner and brush cleaner: white spirit
- Store above 5°C, apply at 18–22°C with good ventilation
- Made in the UK by Morrells Woodfinishes
Read our guide: How to look after a solid oak table. Every solid oak table in our made-to-order range is finished with this oil, so a top-up coat matches exactly.
What you can use Holzöl on
One food-safe oil for every solid wood surface in the house, the office or the shop.
How to apply it
Two thin coats on new or sanded wood. One thin coat for a yearly top-up.
STEP 1Clean and prepareSurface clean, dry and free of old finish, wax or polish. New timber: sand to 150–180 grit and dust off. Tired top: light rub with a 240 pad.
STEP 2Apply a thin coatBrush or lint-free cloth, along the grain, worked in. Thin is the secret: a heavy coat stays sticky. Buff off any excess after 10 minutes.
STEP 3Key, recoat, cureAfter 6–8 hours, lightly key with 220/240 and apply a second thin coat. Light use after 12 hours, full hardness at 24. Mats under hot dishes for the first week.Looking after it
- Wipe with a lightly damp cloth, then dry. No sprays, polish, vinegar or bleach.
- Water test: if a teaspoon of water beads, you're fine. If it soaks in, time for a thin coat.
- Ring mark or scratch: fine pad along the grain, wipe, re-oil the patch. No stripping.
- Family table: oil about once a year. Busy office or shop counter: twice.
Good to know
- Food safe when dry and conforms to EN 71-3:2013.
- Natural effect, clear, approx. 30% sheen. Warms the colour, no plastic film.
- Roughly 10–12 m² per litre per coat. One tin does a large dining table twice with plenty left for top-ups.
- Thin and clean brushes with white spirit. Oily cloths can self-heat: lay flat outside to dry or soak in water before binning.
- Made in the UK by Morrells Woodfinishes. Store above 5°C.
How much do I need?
| Surface | Approx. area | Two coats | Yearly top-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chopping or serving board | 0.1–0.2 m² | a few spoonfuls | a spoonful |
| Coffee table or desk | 0.5–1 m² | about 150 ml | about 75 ml |
| Dining table 180 × 90 cm | 1.6 m² | about 300 ml | about 150 ml |
| Kitchen worktop run, 3 m | 1.8 m² | about 350 ml | about 175 ml |
| Shop counter and crates | 3–5 m² | up to 1 litre | about 500 ml |
Questions people ask
Is it the same oil you use on your oak tables?
Yes. Every solid oak table we make is finished in Holzöl Worktop-Oil, so a top-up coat matches exactly.
Can I put it on an already-oiled table?
Yes, that is what it is for. Clean, key lightly with a fine pad, apply one thin coat, buff off.
Can I use it over varnish or lacquer?
No. Oil has to soak into bare wood. Strip or sand the old finish off first.
Does it change the colour?
It warms the timber slightly, the way a wet stone looks darker, and brings out the grain. It stays clear with no tint.
Is it safe for chopping boards?
Yes, once dry (24 hours). It conforms to EN 71-3, the toy-safety standard for substances that could be ingested.
How long does a tin last?
Years. Close the lid tightly and store above 5°C. If a skin forms, lift it off and use the oil underneath.