This text is about different types of scrub brushes and their areas of use. We describe the difference between different brushes such as root brush, panel brush, levang, stove brush and bathtub brush!
Last edited May 8, 2024
* Root brush: a scrub brush where the brush itself is made of rice root or Muhlenbergia macroura which is the plant's actual name. It is a grass species and it is not the grass but the roots that are used. These roots are particularly tough, resilient and water-resistant and are therefore well suited for making scrub brushes.
* Panel brush: A classic Swedish model of scrub brush where the wooden panel itself is shaped like an S. The brush can be made of soft tampico or coarser union blend.
* Levang: is a scrub brush that is manufactured with a mount or a hole to be mounted on a shaft. The levang can have different shapes, sizes and the brush can have different hardness.
* Stove brush: A scrub brush with a handle, common German model. The stove brush was used frequently in the past when tiled stoves and iron stoves were found in all homes. These were to be both cleaned and blackened and then the stove brush came in handy. The stove brush is pointed at the front to reach all corners and edges of a stove.
* Bathtub brush: A special brush, round or oval where the handle stands straight up from the brush so that you can reach and scrub the bottom of a deep tub or bathtub
These brushes and a few more can be bought from us at Västerbottenssåpa and are advantageously used together with Västerbottenssåpa. Click here to go to the scrub brushes!
FAQ about scrub brushes
What is tampico?
Tampico, or white fiber, is sometimes also called Mexican fiber. The fiber is extracted from the leaves of certain agave species, Agaves Sisalana, Agave Foreyodes, these plants grow well in Mexico and are therefore sometimes called Mexican fiber. This is how it works: the agave plant's leaves are cut off and processed with sticks so that the fibers come loose. The fibers are then sun-dried and sorted. The fibers are naturally white or light green but are sometimes dyed black or brown but that is good for appearance's sake and has no function.
Tampico is used for brooms, panel brushes, levangers, nail brushes and bath brushes and has the fine property that it retains moisture and soap in the brush. If you compare it with synthetic fiber that releases all moisture at once, the difference is great. Scrubbing with a tampico brush can be experienced as a bit "heavy" but it gives an even and fine result and does not damage the surface as the fiber becomes soft when it gets wet. Suitable for finer materials and less good where you want a "rough" brush.
What is piassava?
Genuine piassava extracted from palm leaves. It is strands of the coarse fibers from the palm leaves. There are brushes that are called piassava with strands of stiff plastic but that is NOT piassava. Genuine piassava should be brown and feel completely natural when you touch it.
The name “piassava” comes from the Portuguese piassaba, which refers to the fibers of the palm leaves.
What is rice root?
Rice root is the roots from a grass, the zacaton plant. The grass grows mainly in Mexico, at high altitude. This is how it works: the roots are washed clean and sorted into bundles. The root is very tough, resilient and water-resistant. If you buy a product made of rice root, it may be a good idea to boil the product briefly before you start using it. It makes the rice root more durable. If it says root brush, then the brush is made of rice root, but note that this is terribly sloppy, you often hear that all scrub brushes are called root brushes, that is of course wrong. A root brush has bristles of rice root.
What is a union blend?
White fiber and bassine mixed, for a coarser blend for brushes is called a union blend. Union blend consists of only vegetable fiber, if there are synthetic bristles in the blend it is not a real union blend. The advantage of the union blend is that it is strong and water-resistant. Suitable for root vegetable brushes, levangers and scrub brushes.
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Questions and answers
- What is the main difference between a root brush and a stove brush?
A root brush is made of rice root and is used to scrub vertical surfaces, while a stove brush is specially designed to clean stoves and ovens, with a pointed front to reach all corners and edges.
- What is tampico and how does it differ from other brush materials?
Tampico is a white fiber extracted from agave leaves and is used for brooms, panel brushes and other cleaning tools. Unlike synthetic fiber, which releases liquid directly, tampico retains moisture and soap in the brush and gives an even result.- Why is it important to pay attention to genuine piassava when buying brushes?
Genuine piassava is made of fibers from palm leaves and is known for its natural feel and durability. Choosing genuine piassava ensures that the brush is of high quality and durability, while imitations often do not live up to the same standard.- What type of material is rice root and how does it affect the brush's use?
Rice root is the roots from the zacaton grass and is used to make brushes. Boiling the product before use makes the rice root more durable and gives the brush a longer lifespan.- What is the advantage of a union blend and what cleaning tools can be made with this material?
Union blend consists of white fiber and bassine and is known for its strength and water resistance. It is ideal for cleaning tools used for root vegetables, levangers and scrub brushes, where a more robust material is required.Order natural cleaning products here: Västerbottenssåpa
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