I recently bought a maple butcher block table to use as a laundry folding station in my basement, and it came without any sealant. I'm looking for a natural finish that's safe for my kids' clothing and won't leach chemicals. I've been considering using shellac mixed with everclear, but I'm wondering if it's okay to finish just the top of the table with it while leaving the bottom raw, or if that would cause any issues.
2 Answers
I've been using shellac on my workbenches for years, and I've left the underside unfinished without issues. While it’s ideal to seal everything, sometimes it's not practical. If you can reach the underside, go for it, but don’t stress if you can't. I usually apply 4-5 light coats of shellac, and you can do it quickly without sanding between coats.
It's best to finish both sides of the butcher block to prevent warping. Shellac is a good choice for a laundry table, and other finishes work too once they're fully cured, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals. Just keep in mind that shellac isn't the most durable option, but it’s easy to reapply when needed. Be cautious though—any alcohol-based products can dissolve the shellac!
Totally agree! If you just finish one side, you can end up with uneven moisture absorption, and that leads to warping. I've seen it happen too often.
So, no bar duty for the laundry table then, huh?