Here we take a different approach to caring for wooden decking—scrubbing it with soap! This method may not be as common as oiling, but it offers unique benefits and a distinctive look for your decking. By using soap instead of oil, you give the decking a soft, natural feel without making the surface glossy. 

 

 

Can you scrub pressure-treated wooden decking with soap… or untreated decking, for that matter?

 

– Yes! It’s absolutely true—you can actually choose to scrub wooden decking with soap instead of oiling it. (It’s a little like scrubbing a wooden floor with soap indoors.)
The difference between soap and oil is that the wooden decking will not get an oily, glossy surface with soap; instead, it will have a soft, warm feel. The pressure treatment of the timber provides sufficient basic protection; oiling or soaping it will not improve its durability. Surface treatment is done to prevent small cracks, create a pleasant and beautiful surface, and, if you choose soap, avoid the problem of the decking attracting pollen and other dirt, since the surface becomes velvety and easy to clean. 

 

 

Here’s how:

 

 

 

1. Start by sweeping it clean!

 

An old-fashioned broom or brush works well. You want to sweep away everything loose on the surface.

 

2. Scrub brushes and soap are what you need next.

 

– Choose a stiff brush if the decking is heavily soiled.
– A Levang is a brush designed to be attached to a handle. It is useful if you have a large patio/deck.
– The soap must be superfatted to create that protective surface and provide the velvety feel of an old scrubbed floor.
– Scrub with hot or lukewarm water and soap to clean it.

 

 

 

3. Pay extra attention to areas stained or affected by algae, lichen, or moss.

 

 

 

 

 

Lichen growth

 

 

 

4. Rinse or wipe off!

If needed. If you can see that the surface is covered with material scrubbed loose from the wood, you need to remove it before moving on to the next step. 

 

 

5. Surface treatment.

Scrub the floor with cold water and plenty of soap (superfatted soap). Some soap should remain—the fat in the soap needs to soak into the wood. 1 L soap + 9 L water in a scrubbing bucket is usually about right.
Wipe the entire surface with plenty of soap in the cloth so that it is absorbed into the wood. Once the wood has dried, you will notice whether it needs more soap—whether it wants to absorb more of the fat in the soap. If so, repeat step 6. Old, dry, and porous surfaces need more soap than new, hard wood species.

 

 

 

 Before and after

 

 

 

 

The wood has acquired a soft and “warm” surface. It will not attract pollen and other dirt in the same way as oiled decking.
– For a larger surface, wipe more times with cold water and soap.
The next day, the wooden decking has dried overnight.

 

 

This image comes from a customer. The fact that the lighting is not the same in the images is because the after image was taken the next day, after the decking had dried following soap-scrubbing.

Note! Never use a pressure washer directly on the wooden decking, as it can damage the boards!

 

 

Soap-scrubbing wooden decking, a short video…

 

Here is our package with everything you need: Soap for patios, gardens, and outdoor areas

 

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- How does soap-scrubbing differ from traditional oiling when it comes to caring for wooden decking?

Unlike oil, which can create a glossy surface, soap-scrubbing provides a softer and more natural feel. The soap also acts as protection without negatively affecting the strength of the decking.

 

- What steps are included in the process of soap-scrubbing wooden decking?

 

 

 

The process involves cleaning the decking, using scrubbing brushes and superfatted soap, focusing on stained or affected areas, rinsing or wiping as needed, and finishing by treating the wood with soap and water to achieve a soft, easy-to-clean surface.

 

- What are the benefits of using superfatted soap to soap-scrub wooden decking?

 

Superfatted soap not only provides a protective layer but also gives wooden decking a soft and warm feel. It also helps prevent the decking from attracting pollen and dirt, making it easier to maintain over time.

 

We recommend using our deck soap. You can find the package with deck soap, scrubbing brushes, and a cleaning cloth here: Soap for patios, gardens, and outdoor areas

Order natural cleaning products here: Västerbottenssåpa