Green Refinishing

Going Green at Savino Brothers

means refinishing wood floors without the dust and toxic fumes.
With our truck mounted Dust Containment System we can reduce approximately 98% of the air borne dust in the refinishing process when compared to traditional floor sanding methods. In conjunction with our waterborne finishes, which are VOC - compliant, well below all states and federal regulations and clean air quality standards.

In our quest to be an environmental friendly business, we have recently discovered two new products that we are very excited about.

The first is made from Whey a natural byproduct of cheese-making, by using recycled whey protein they eliminate the need for heavy metal driers and displace both the toxic co-binders and carcinogenic solvents typically found in wood finish. Excess whey can end up on fields and in streams. To help keep the farms and waterways clear of excess whey, there goal is to reuse as much of this byproduct as possible in durable, safe coatings for your home.

PolyWhey® Natural Floor Finish

Description:

PolyWhey Floor finish is an evolved clear coating that uses recycled whey protein to make a durable and safe sealer and topcoat in one. Available in semi-gloss and satin finishes.

Why PolyWhey?

• Durable coating seals and protects
• VOCs less than 180 g/L
• Scratch and chemical resistant
• Can be applied over oil-based stain or finish, as well as other waterborne finishes
• Non -yellowing
• Clear finish for maximum visibility of wood grain
• Easy , single product application
• Dry time under 2 hours
• Neutral odor
• Made from renewable resource

Here is the link for Vermont Natural Coatings to learn more: www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com

The second product is

OSMO Polyx®-Oil (the original Hardwax Oil)

Description:

A clear, satin matte floor finish rich in natural vegetable oils and waxes.
As durable as polyurethane - and far easier to fix when it's scratched or worn down.

It is manufactured in Germany.

We like to use this product on old antique floors.

I invite you to read on and see if this is something you may be interested in.

More about OSMO Hardwax Oil

Not to be confused with traditional oil finishes, OSMO Hardwax Oil is an engineered finish made with plant oils and waxes, plus just enough highly refined mineral spirits to allow easy application. This remarkable finish offers excellent durability and renew ability with a unique lustrous finish. It will never crack, blister or flake off. Instead of forming a plastic film, like polyurethane does, OSMO Hardwax Oil has open pores that "breathe." This allows any moisture that does get through to get back out again without pushing off the finish.

Because it is micro porous, Hardwax Oil works well in rooms with high humidity, such as kitchens. It meets German standards for resistance to stains from wine, cola, coffee, tea, fruit juice and, of course, beer.

Spot repairs are easy. There's no need to strip the whole floor or even to remove old Hardwax Oil. For minor repairs, just scuff the damaged area with fine steel wool, coat with OSMO Liquid Wax Cleaner and buff lightly when the cleaner is dry. If a more extensive fix is needed, use Hardwax Oil. Make repairs regularly, and the finish will last indefinitely.

This product provides no protection against ultraviolet rays from the sun, so it is not suitable for outdoor use.

Ingredients

Key ingredients in Hardwax Oil include sunflower, soybean and thistle oil, plus two hard, natural waxes-carnauba and candelilla. A Brazilian palm tree, Copernica cerifera, produces the carnauba in its leaves, berries and stalks. Villagers cut down fronds, dry them for several days, and then beat off the wax. The candelilla comes from the outer coating on a desert shrub, Euphorbia antisyphiliti that grows in northern Mexico. Farmers boil the leaves and stems with water and acid to release the wax.

This is an oil-based product. Like most finishes-even water-based ones-it needs a solvent to perform properly. OSMO uses the safest one that works with oil-based finishes: benzene-free, low-odor mineral spirits. This is an aliphatic petroleum distillate, which means it is a petroleum product that has its carbon atoms arranged in open chains instead of rings. The more toxic, aromatic or ring hydrocarbons have been removed, resulting in a milder odor.

Benefits of OSMO Hardwax Oil

Environmental benefits include:

• Made mostly from readily renewable, natural ingredients.
• Extremely durable-keeps existing flooring in good shape for decades.
• When dry, meets European safety standards for use on children's furniture and toys and resistance to perspiration and saliva.
• Contains no biocides or preservatives, only aliphatic low-odor mineral spirits that meet the German standard for purity.

Practical benefits include:

• Preserves the look and feel of real wood-not a plastic coating.
• Easy to apply-just two thin coats.
• Will not raise the grain when applied. Therefore no need to sand between coats.
• Thyrotrophic-no brush marks in hot weather.
• Penetrates into the wood surface, keeping it elastic but making it water-resistant. Finished wood won't show water stains.
• Easy to clean - just vacuum and damp-mop.

Liquid Wax Cleaner

Liquid Wax Cleaner OSMO Hardwax Oil finish is extremely durable, but like any finish, it will show wear over time, especially in high-traffic areas such as kitchen, main entries and stairways. Timely use of OSMO Liquid Wax Cleaner restores the finish and helps to keep it lasting indefinitely. This product can also be used on any waxed woodwork.

Liquid Wax Cleaner contains carnauba and candillila wax, the same two natural waxes used in Hardwax Oil. These are both plant-based waxes that re grow rapidly. Liquid Wax Cleaner also contains medical-quality paraffin's and odor-free mineral spirits, both of which are petroleum products. The cleaner does not include biocides or preservatives.

First clean the floor or wood thoroughly, preferably with a moist cloth or mop dampened in OSMO Wash and Care diluted in water. Wring out the cloth or mop thoroughly so that no water puddles. Allow to dry. Then moisten fine steel wool or a white Scotch brite pad with a small amount of OSMO Liquid Wax Cleaner. Rub this onto the surface. Allow to dry for 30 to 60 minutes, until the material dries to a haze. Buff lightly with a soft cotton cloth.

If damage has been done to a specific area of the floor, or if high-traffic areas are not maintained as above, it is possible to recoat the floor with OSMO Hardwax Oil. Clean and sand the area, then apply the finish by hand. Use a white Scotch brite pad dipped into the finish and scrub it in with a vigorous circular stroke. Wipe up immediately so that no material is left on the floor.

Be aware that Liquid Wax Cleaner or even a fresh coat of Hardwax Oil will restore the finish, but neither product will fill in damaged wood.

Wash and Care

• Gentle cleaner for wood.
• Based on coconut oil and other natural vegetable oils.
• Recommended especially for floors with OSMO Hardwax Oil finish.
• Gentle on the skin.
• No solvents, formaldehyde or phosphates.
• Biodegradable.
• Concentrated formula saves money and reduces the cost and environmental impact of shipping.

Wash & Care has been especially developed for wooden floors treated with OSMO Hardwax Oil and other oiled surfaces. It is also possible to clean other surfaces with Wash and Care: stone, cork, vinyl and other water-resistant surfaces.

Dilute with a ratio of two capfuls per quart of water. Dampen a cloth or sponge in the solution. Wring the cloth or sponge out well, then wipe the floor. The surface should not be wet. If there is excess moisture, wipe the floor dry with a clean cloth. It is not necessary to rinse after cleaning.

Wash and Care is made with soaps based on coconut oils (5 to 15 percent), plus anionic and nonionic surfactants (each 1 to 5 percent). Surfactants are cleaning agents that help dislodge stubborn dirt and grime by allowing water molecules to link up with contaminants on a surface. The anionic surfactants have a negative charge; the nonionic surfactants have none. The surfactants in Wash and Care are modified fatty acids of natural vegetable oils. They are not phthalates or other ingredients that can interfere with hormone activity in people or wildlife

To purchases these products visit the web sites of our distributors
F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies and ECOHAUS.