Maintaining your deck is important to preserve it and create a surface that is pleasant and healthy to spend time on. Traditionally, many have chosen to oil the decking to protect the wood, but there are good reasons to consider soap scrubbing as a better alternative.
Chemicals in Decking Oil
Decking oil often contains several chemicals to protect the wood against mold/algae, weather, and UV radiation. Examples of contents:
• UV-absorbing chemicals : Substances like benzotriazoles and benzophenones are used to absorb UV radiation and prevent the wood from fading or graying over time.
• Nanoparticles : Some modern wood oils may contain nanoparticles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to improve UV protection.
• Solvents : Many decking oils contain solvents like mineral spirits to facilitate application and penetration into the wood.
These chemicals can have negative effects on both the environment and human health.
Advantages of Soap Scrubbing
Scrubbing the decking with soap instead offers several advantages:
• Natural protection : An over-fatted soap, for example, based on rapeseed or linseed oil, gives the wood a soft and warm feel and a nice finish; the wood grays naturally with soap scrubbing. This method prevents the decking from attracting as much pollen, pollutants and dust as an oiled deck can, as an oiled surface often becomes a bit "sticky".
• Environmentally friendly : Soap is a natural cleaning agent without the harmful chemicals found in many decking oils. It is gentle on both the environment and the user. You can confidently walk barefoot on the deck and let children and animals play there. The nature (flowerbeds and plantings) around it does not risk getting unknown chemicals.
• Simple application : Soap scrubbing the decking is a simple process that does not require advanced equipment. It also provides a surface that is pleasant to walk barefoot on and is easy to clean from dirt and pollen. All according to the classic scrub floor principle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I soap scrub my deck? - It is recommended to soap scrub the deck once a year, preferably in the spring before the patio begins to be used, or in the fall to keep the surface clean and protected from algae and mold. If you soap scrub both spring and fall, you have a very good starting point.
- Can I soap scrub a previously oiled deck? - Yes, soap scrubbing works well even on a previously oiled deck. The soap gives the deck a more matte and smooth surface and does not attract as much pollen and dust as an oiled deck.
- What type of soap should I use for best results? - It is best to use an over-fatted soap, for example, based on rapeseed oil, to prevent the wood from drying out and to give it a soft and warm feel.
By choosing soap scrubbing over oiling, you can maintain your deck in a more environmentally friendly and healthy way, while preserving the natural beauty of the wood.
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