From the beginning back in the 1970's when our children were small, we have been concerned with making our toys as safe as possible while still maintaining our classic handmade look.

 Our toys can be ordered either with an oiled finish or left "natural" with no finish at all. 

 For our oiled finish, we currently use a product called Watco Oil from Rust-Oleum Corporation.   We spoke with Rick Braunshausen in the Product Support Group.  He informed us that lead was banned from their products beginning in 1992.  Also, we were told that Watco is approved as a child safe application. 

 Mr. Braunshausen sent us 3 pages of information regarding the certification for the Watco Oil.  The customer service number for them is 1-800-635-3286 and their web sites are www.rustoleum.com and www.watco.net We use Danish Oil Finish-Natural with a product number 65731. Application of this color enhances the color of the wood and gives it a soft, protective finish.  Below are copies of the pages which he sent to us.

  We know that many of you only want "natural" finish.  You now have the option of ordering "natural", which means you will get the toys with nothing applied to them.  The items with colored pieces, will still have the colors.  If you wish, you can personally apply bees wax, linseed or walnut oil, or soy wax for protection of the wood and to enhance the wood colors. 

 The colored pieces on our toys are coated with a water base, child-safe toy enamel, applied in the USA.  We have also obtained documentation from the factories regarding their finishes.  These are also shown below.

Cerificate of Compliance-Rustoleum  (requires Adobe Reader)

Toy Paint

CE Bradley Lab

WestField Toy Paint

Watco-06573  (requires Adobe Reader)

Certificate of Compliance-2-Rustoleum  (requires Adobe Reader)