Mineral oil and mineral spirits may both have a place under your sink or on a shelf in your garage, but despite sounding similar, they are very different. Not sure which to use for your project? Here’s what to know.
What’s the difference between mineral spirits and mineral oil?
Both start with the word “mineral,” and are clear liquid byproducts of the distillation of petroleum, but the similarities end there.
Here are some of the difference between mineral spirits and mineral oil:
Mineral spirits
Common uses:
Thinning paint or ink
Cleaning paintbrushes and other tools
Cleaning paint spills
Stripping built-up layers of polish, wax, and oils on wood
Prepping wood before staining or painting
Removing residue from stickers
Restoring garden tools
Cleaning window frames
Removing scuff marks from the floor
Degreasing auto parts and other tools
Cleaning plastic outdoor furniture
Removing sap from garden tools
Similar to:
Turpentine
Acetone
Denatured alcohol
Charcoal lighter fluid
Safety concerns:
Flammable
Must be used in well-ventilated area
Irritant to eyes, skin, and lungs (wear goggles and gloves)
Not food-safe
Even odorless mineral spirits are dangerous if inhaled
Mineral oil
Common uses:
Conditions wood furniture
Provides wood with a barrier against humidity
Protects wood from mold growth
Prevents wood from absorbing water
Used to treat butcher block countertop, cutting boards, wooden utensils, wooden plates and bowls, wooden poker chips
Protects blades on tools from rusting
Various health/beauty uses (e.g. to treat dry skin, dandruff, calluses, earwax, constipation)
Lubricates door hinges to stop squeaks
Prevents rust on metal outdoor furniture
Cleans and polishes stainless steel appliances
Silences squeaky floorboards
Similar to:
Beeswax
Coconut oil
Beeswax-based board creams
Safety concerns:
Mildly flammable
Food safe/nontoxic
It’s a laxative, so ingesting too much can cause gastrointestinal distress