How often should you oil your deck?

Maintaining your patio is important to preserve it and create a surface that is pleasant and healthy to spend time on. Traditionally, many people have chosen to oil their decking to protect the wood, but there are good reasons to consider scrubbing it with soap 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 ingredients include:

 

- UV-absorbing chemicals: Substances such as benzotriazoles and benzophenones are used to absorb UV radiation and prevent the wood from fading or turning gray 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 such as mineral spirits to facilitate application and penetration into the wood. 

 

These chemicals can have negative effects on both the environment and human health.

 

Benefits of scrubbing with soap

 

 

Scrubbing the decking with soap instead offers several benefits:

 

- Natural protection: An over-fatted soap, for example one based on rapeseed or linseed oil, gives the wood a soft, warm feel and a beautiful finish, while the wood naturally turns gray when scrubbed with soap. This method means the decking does not attract as much pollen, pollutants, and dust as oiled decking can, since an oiled surface often becomes slightly "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 safely walk barefoot on the decking and let children and pets play there. The surrounding natural areas, such as flower beds and plantings, are not at risk of being exposed to unknown chemicals.

 

- Easy application: Scrubbing the decking with soap is a simple process that does not require advanced equipment. It also creates a surface that is pleasant to walk on barefoot and easy to clean of dirt and pollen. All according to the classic scrubbed-floor principle.

 

Discover why so many people love Västerbottenssåpa's decking soap

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Frequently asked questions

1. How often should I scrub my decking with soap?

It is recommended to scrub the decking with soap once a year, preferably in the spring before the patio starts being used, or in the autumn to keep the surface clean and protected from algae and mold. Scrubbing with soap both in spring and autumn gives you an excellent starting point.

2. Can I scrub previously oiled decking with soap?

Yes, scrubbing with soap also works well on previously oiled decking. The soap gives the decking a more matte and smooth surface and does not attract as much pollen and dust as oiled decking. 

3. What type of soap should I use for the best results?

It is best to use an over-fatted soap, such as one based on rapeseed oil, to prevent the wood from drying out and give it a soft, warm feel. 

 

By choosing scrubbing with soap instead of oiling, you can maintain your patio in a more environmentally friendly and healthy way while preserving the wood's natural beauty.

 

Order natural cleaning products here: Västerbottenssåpa