Thread: Retaining Camphor Laurel smell

I recently made a couple of small boxes from some of Maplemans CL stump. I sanded them to 800 grit & then finished them with some U-beaut food safe oil. They've got a slight sheen & have retained the CL smell.

A box?

The best way is to not use a "sealing" finish on the interior.

I'd use a breathable material, such as felt, and only spot-glue the material in place so the glue itself doesn't seal in the scent. (ie. don't use flock.)

If it's a larger box, such as a blanket-box then I'd suggest making a fitted linen bag and only add trim around the inside lip to hold it in place. I've found this to be the best way to ensure the scent - and it's insect repelling properties - permeates the inside.

That's not a silly question Dengue. It is a nice smell, even though there's a lot of debate on the internet about it being toxic. I echo both earlier responses. I have cutting boards of CL with food safe oil and they retained some smell for years. Also, if you don't finish it (inside a box, or at all) it keeps the smell longer. Because the smell comes from the volatile oils coming out of the timber it will eventually fade. However antique camphor wood chests seem to retain some smell for a very long time. For a stable box unfinished inside the wood has to be very well seasoned and the finish on the outside of a box has to be minimal, and preferably porous (perhaps a wax finish?) so that there is not too much differential in water loss/gain between the inside and the outside of the box. The cut of the timber will also need to be the most stable. I don't have any wood technology details on camphor laurel but would expect that quarter-sawn boards would be the most stable. If anyone has the info perhaps they could share it?

David