Which soap should I use for decking, wood decking, patio, patio floor and outdoor area?
A common question we get is which soap to use for your patio, wood decking, outdoor area, wood floor, or deck, whatever you choose to call it.
The answer is that you should choose a superfatted soap, a rich soap. This is necessary to re-grease and treat the wood. A soap that is not superfatted will clean, of course, BUT it will dry out instead of re-greasing. So, the effect will be the opposite if you choose the wrong one. Cheaper tall oil-based soaps are not superfatted. You can use these for other things but not for treating wood.
ALL of Västerbottenssåpa's soaps ARE SUPERFATTED, so it doesn't matter which one you choose.
For solid soap, place a dollop directly on the brush or mop. For liquid soap, dissolve it in water.
Is it time to clean the decking? Find the decking soap here
The next common question is: How much soap is needed?
A rule of thumb is to mix: 1 / 10 and it is enough for about 30m2.
BUT note that a soft/porous wood such as pine requires more soap, while a hard wood such as teak or larch requires less.
Consumption also depends on the condition of the wood. Many small cracks and dry wood require more soap than pressure-impregnated new wood.
Do this:
- Sweep away gravel and loose dust.
- Scrub away dirt and stains with warm water, scrub brush, and soap.
- Then scrub the entire surface with cold water and plenty of soap.
- Let it dry and repeat if necessary. More repetitions give a more waxed and soft surface.