Turpentine is a multi-use, really great oil that is derived from the distillation of the resin that is harvested from pine trees. It is a really great type of oil, and is used in a lot of places that most people do not know about. If you have never really thought about investing in turpentine, or don’t have any around your current dwelling, here are some interesting facts that could question you to reconsider.
1.) Paint Solvent
This is obviously the most common use for turpentine, which has also been called wood turpentine, oil of turpentine, and spirit of turpentine. It is really great to add to oil based paints to thin them out when needed. Just pour in a small amount to your paint before you add your first coat.
I really suggest using artist grade turpentine for painting, as my good art student friend taught me. She told me that the industrial grade turpentine generally is cheaper, but is less pure; as it’s distilling process isn’t as high in quality. This can harm the quality of your painting, or coats of paint on walls, or whatever you may be painting.
Turpentine is also one of the healthiest choices for a solvent in paint. It is organic, and the odors that occur during the rapid evaporation can be poisonous. Turpentine is less likely to be absorbed by skin than other solvents, and really only can harm open wounds and generally and genetically irritable skin.
2.) Paintbrush cleaner
Turpentine is a great way to clean off your paintbrushes after you use them. If you are an avid artist, I suggest using turpentine to keep your brushes clean and in good physical health. Paintbrushes can be really expensive! Keeping them in good quality condition can lengthen their life span; giving you more money.
3.) Stain Removal
Turpentine is also one of the most effective stain removers, and I would potentially the most effective organic stain remover. Bathtubs, sinks, countertops, stoves, and more can all be cleaned really well with Turpentine. I have used turpentine, along with vinegar, for most of my household cleaning needs. Most “cleaning products” on the market use simple materials that you can get at an extremely reduced price at places like Costco. Use turpentine for most surfaces. Vinegar is a great way to clean glass and mirrors.
4.) Furniture Polish
Although I would personally choose linseed oil to polish most furniture, combining Turpentine with beeswax, lavender and soap flakes makes an amazing furniture polish. I have used the combination for a lot of indoor furniture. I generally choose linseed oil for outdoor furniture, though. Rubbing some of this combination on a rag, and then onto your furniture can help lengthen the life and look of your furniture.
Most of all, and most pertinent to today’s green crowd, turpentine is eco friendly! It releases no chemicals that are harmful to the environment, I promise. So go ahead and use turpentine for a lot of your household needs! It’s a great kind of oil that comes from nature itself.
