Frequently Asked Questions
BALCONY, GARDEN AND OUTDOORS
Can I clean our pressure-treated wooden deck with soap?
Yes, you absolutely can. Your decking will be pleasant to walk on, with a silky-smooth, slightly waxed surface that is therefore easy to keep clean. Pollen and dust won’t stick to it as they can when the surface is a little “oily”.
Does the soap affect the durability of my pressure-treated decking?
Well, pressure-treated timber today is generally of very good quality, and what determines how long it lasts is the pressure treatment itself, not the surface finish. However, you can of course influence how the surface feels and looks: if you choose soap, the surface will be matte and smooth. If you choose oil, it will be shinier.
Should I use cold or hot water when mopping?
A dirty surface cannot be treated properly, so you first need to clean it. Use warm water and soap. With a stiff brush and soap, you can remove much more dirt than you might think. You can “save” things that initially look somewhat hopeless. Give it a try before replacing the decking—it might work! Of course, it all depends on the starting condition and the material, but you are often pleasantly surprised by what a stiff scrubbing brush and soap can do.
Once the surface is clean, use cold water and soap. Use a soft brush and/or a cloth. Mix approximately 1 l of soap with 9 l of water to make a cleaning solution. The water should feel greasy from the soap. Go over the decking and let the soap soak in. You will notice when the material stops absorbing the excess fat in the soap. New decking, or decking made from a harder type of wood, will absorb less than soft, porous decking.
How much soap is needed?
It depends on the type of wood and how dry it is. A porous, dried-out pine board absorbs more soap than a new pressure-treated board. However, a general rule of thumb is approximately 1 L of soap per 30 m². Dilute 1 L of soap with 9 L of water—one bucketful—so the solution is easy to handle.
Can I change my mind and oil after using soap?
Yes, you certainly can. Soft soap is a type of soap, not a type of oil, impregnating treatment, or paint. If you find that there is too much soft soap on the decking, simply scrub it once more using only warm water and a brush.
What type of soap can you use for wooden decking?
You should always choose a superfat soap, meaning a soap with an excess of fat. A soap without excess fat will have the opposite effect: it will dry out the wood.
Which soaps are superfat? All of Västerbottenssåpa’s soaps are superfat, and linseed oil soaps are usually superfat as well.
Should I rinse with a pressure washer?
No, you should not use a pressure washer. If you do, you risk getting splinters, which are not pleasant to get in your feet. If the decking is affected by, for example, algae, it is better to use a stiff scrub brush and scrub it with soap and water.
When should I clean the deck with soap?
It’s a good idea to scrub in the spring before you start arranging and decorating your patio, as it’s much easier to reach the entire surface then. You’ll also get rid of anything that has accumulated—and may even have started growing—during the fall and winter.
You can also scrub in the fall to keep algae away, and if you want to freshen up the surface, you can certainly scrub it with cold water and soap in midsummer as well.
What do I need to soap-wash the deck?
Superfatted soap
Cloth
Bucket
A scrubbing brush, preferably one hard and one soft.
Won’t it get slippery?
No, as long as the soap is absorbed into the wood, it will not become slippery. If you notice that the soap is no longer being absorbed and a lot of soap remains on the surface, the wood is saturated and ready. Wipe up the excess and enjoy your deck. It makes little difference which cleaning product you use—if you use too much, it will become slippery. BUT, despite this, dried-out wood is much more common than oversaturated wood.
How much soap do I need?
Cleaning: 1 dl soap to 10 liters of HOT water.
Treatment: 1 liter of soap to 10 liters of COLD water.
How much soap is needed?
It depends on the condition and type of wood. A porous, dried-out pine plank absorbs more soap than a new pressure-treated plank. However, a rule of thumb is approximately 1 L of soap per 30 m². Dilute 1 L of soap with 9 L of water—one bucketful—so the solution is easy to handle.
We usually clean it and then oil it once a year. Should I oil it after using the soap, or is that not necessary?
Whether you oil it or not is a matter of personal preference. The surface becomes matte and smooth when treated with soap. Oiling removes that effect and makes the surface slightly glossier. If the wood is pressure-treated, the quality of the pressure treatment is the main factor determining its durability and service life. The treatment you choose affects the surface.
Can I scrub the deck with your soap?
Yes, you can, BUT it is never good to release too much dirt and surfactants into waterways.
More importantly, you should not release anything into waterways, regardless of what it is.
So yes, clean the dock, but do so carefully. For example, if you have spilled oil or gasoline from the boat engine on the dock, you do not want to scrub it off and have it end up in the water instead.
One recommendation is to scrub the dock on land before putting it in the water for the season.
BATHROOM
Can I use soap to clean my bathroom?
Absolutely! Soap is alkaline, and together with grease, it’s what you need to dissolve all biological dirt. That is, everything that comes from us humans—which is probably where most of the dirt in the bathroom comes from.
What do I use the baking soda and vinegar for?
Pour about 4 tablespoons of baking soda into the clogged drain, then immediately pour in about 1 deciliter of vinegar. The two substances react chemically and begin to fizz. As soon as the fizzing stops, pour boiling water down the drain to dissolve the blockage completely.
If the drain is seriously clogged, this is not the most effective method. BUT when you notice that the water is draining too slowly, then this is an excellent solution!
Vinegar can also be used on limescale deposits. The best way is to soak a cotton or microfiber cloth in vinegar and then rub it over the areas where the limescale has accumulated, such as faucets.
Let it sit for a while, then rinse thoroughly with clean, cold water. Finally, dry everything with a clean cloth.
Can I use the soap on tiles and grout?
The soap works excellently for removing dirt from tiles and grout. Use the soap in a spray bottle for lighter dirt, while the solid soap is well suited to more ingrained dirt that is harder to remove. Use soap, a brush, and lukewarm water.
What distinguishes bathroom soap from other soap products?
It’s the same superfat and effective soap, but with a different bottle and the scent of Västerbotten forest. The bottle can be turned upside down, making it more practical for cleaning the bathroom.
Can I use soap on limescale?
Limescale deposits are most easily removed with vinegar, as something acidic is needed.
Can I use the soap spray in the toilet bowl?
The soap spray is diluted for “lighter” cleaning—you can spray it on and wipe it off with a damp cloth. For the toilet bowl, the concentrated soap in the 0.5-liter bottle is more suitable, and it also has a special cap for use in the toilet bowl, for example.
ROOT
How do I use bar soap?
Apply concentrated soft soap directly to a brush or sponge. Add a little lukewarm water, then start cleaning the surface.
What are the benefits of bar soap?
Solid soap has several advantages and is especially effective for certain types of cleaning:
- It is highly concentrated and takes up little space in the cleaning cupboard
- It does not run off vertical surfaces, such as when cleaning kitchen tiles
- It effectively dissolves grease and built-up dirt, for example when cleaning ovens
- You can use it to remove stains from items such as shoes and outerwear
- You do not transport water = climate-smart
Is solid soap water-soluble?
Of course it is, but it takes time. If you need to mop the floor, it’s much quicker to use liquid soap, which mixes quickly with water in the mop bucket.
What is the difference between scented and unscented bar soap?
Both are very effective against tougher stains, such as oven stains; the only difference is that one has a juniper scent and the other is unscented.
What temperature should the oven be set to for oven cleaning?
The oven should be set to between 90 and 100 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.
How do I clean the oven?
Start by brushing all loose debris out of the oven with the brush.
Apply the soap to a cloth, eco-fiber cloth, cleaning sponge, or brush with lukewarm water. Work the soap and water over all the oven’s surfaces.
Set the oven to 90–100 degrees for about 20 minutes and place a bowl of water inside.
Turn off the oven and let it cool before you begin wiping it out.
Alternatively, you can leave the soap in the oven overnight. This is recommended if the oven is very dirty; continue the next day. Preferably use the eco-fiber cloth when wiping it out, and finish with a damp cloth.
Read more HERE
What do I use baking soda and vinegar for?
Baking soda can be used for many different things, both on its own and together with water or vinegar. For example, you can use it on clothes, on the stove, or to clean copper or jewelry, among other things.
Vinegar can be used to remove limescale, stains from clothes, and unpleasant odors, among other things.
Can I use the soap on tiles and grout?
The soap works excellently for removing dirt from tiles and grout. Use the soap in a spray bottle for lighter dirt, while the solid soap is well suited to more ingrained dirt that is harder to remove. Use soap, a brush, and lukewarm water.
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
How much detergent is actually needed to get laundry clean?
It depends on how hard the water is. Hard water requires more detergent. However, most households in Sweden have soft water. It also depends on how heavily soiled the laundry is, how much laundry there is, and the size of the machine. For lightly soiled laundry, a standard-sized machine, and soft water, use 35 ml. Increase the amount as needed, but do not overdose.
How much detergent is needed for hand washing?
10–15 ml for a 10 L basin of water; here too, you can use a little more detergent if the laundry is heavily soiled.
What applies to a full and a half-full machine?
The dosage on the bottle is for a full load; reduce it if you have less laundry.
Is it environmentally friendly?
Yes.
How can I reduce my use of laundry detergent to be more environmentally friendly?
Wash only when necessary; air it out instead if possible. Pre-treat stains, and don’t lower washing temperatures too much.
Is it fragrance-free?
There is one variant with fragrance and one without.
Is it hypoallergenic?
People with allergies should always choose the fragrance-free option. Regardless of the product, anyone with allergies should opt for fragrance-free products, including skin creams, shampoos, and products containing essential oils. Always choose products without added fragrance if you have allergies.
Can it be used for baby clothes?
Yes, please choose fragrance-free. Small children do not need scents on their clothes.
Can it be used for white, black, and colored laundry?
Yes, that’s fine. However, our laundry detergent contains neither bleach nor optical brighteners. If you feel that a garment needs bleaching, we recommend 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda.
Does it work on different materials (wool, silk, sportswear)?
Our laundry detergent contains no enzymes, so even wool can be washed with it. However, delicate garments and sensitive materials should always be washed according to the care instructions on the garment and with great care.
Does it remove musty odors from polyester clothing (sportswear)?
Yes, wash according to the care instructions and preferably use our citrus-scented laundry detergent.
What are the most common ingredients in laundry detergent, and how do they affect my clothes and skin?
Detergents contain surfactants, and all surfactants affect the surface tension of water. Therefore, you should follow the recommendations and make sure you have an approved drainage system. Bleaching agents in detergents affect textiles just as the name suggests: they bleach them, putting strain on the textile fibers. Optical brighteners are particles that settle on the surface and create the illusion that the garment is whiter than it actually is, and detergents also often contain perfumes.
How do different wash cycles and temperatures affect the effectiveness of laundry detergent?
All cleaning, including laundry, is based on four elements: temperature, time, mechanical cleaning, and chemicals. If you lower the temperature, you need to increase another element. The wash cycle and machine provide the mechanical element; you set the temperature and time here. The detergent provides the fourth element.
Imagine washing dishes by hand or washing your hands—how warm does the water need to be? Your body is 37°C (normally). Does the water you wash dishes in feel warm or cold? Then think about the laundry and stains in front of you: at what temperature does it seem reasonable that you could remove these stains? A wash cycle at 30°C is therefore colder than your body temperature. Lowering the temperature is a way to save energy, and that is true, but it is not a saving if your clothes do not become clean or stains do not disappear because the washing temperature is too low, and you instead go and buy a new garment.
How does hard or soft water affect the effectiveness of laundry detergent?
If you have hard or moderately hard water, you need more detergent. Soft water requires less detergent.
Water hardness is measured in German degrees of hardness, °dH (°dH = degrees of German hardness). The higher the levels of calcium and magnesium ions, the harder the water. 1°dH corresponds to 7.1 milligrams of calcium per liter and 4.3 milligrams of magnesium per liter.
- 0–2: very soft
- 2–5: soft
- 5–10: moderately hard
- 10–21: hard
- >21: very hard
What should I do if I spill laundry detergent directly on my clothes or on the floor?
Wipe up and wash off immediately.
How do I clean my washing machine to prevent bad odors and bacterial growth?
Feel free to read our guide on the blog here: Click here
Does it remove tough stains such as oil, blood, and grass?
Stains should be pretreated. Feel free to read our guide on the blog HERE!
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANING
Which floors should I not use soap on?
You can use soap on all floors, but plastic floors that do not absorb any excess require only a very small amount of soap. Click flooring (plastic varieties) should be mopped as usual, but with only a small amount of soap. If you happen to use too much, a slight film may form; simply mop once with a little dish soap in the water instead.
Does the soap work against mold stains in silicone seals?
Soft soap is effective against mold stains. Mold prefers an acidic environment in which to grow, while soft soap is alkaline—in other words, the opposite—so it works well. Unfortunately, with silicone joints, mold tends to work its way underneath the edges of the joint over time. It is therefore underneath the joint, making it very difficult to scrub or clean away. You can scrub off what is on top, but not what is underneath. If this is the case, you need to remove the joint and reseal it. We usually recommend asking at a building-supply store about mold-resistant silicone sealant. It exists (and has become available more recently) and works much better.
Doesn’t using soap on, for example, sinks or painted surfaces leave a greasy film? Don’t I need to wipe them down afterward with water? On, for example, unfinished wooden floors, it’s clearly a plus, but what about varnished floors?
That happens with all cleaning products if you use too much. So when used in moderation, no, it works well. If you use soap spray, it’s difficult to overdose. However, many brands have spent decades promoting alternatives to ordinary soap, so this is a commonly used argument among various manufacturers. In the past, there was only soap, and our oldest and finest houses were cleaned with soap for a very long time.
Can I wash the car with soap?
Yes, that works fine. Soft soap is “a type of soap,” so it can be used for cleaning, but if you want to perform other car care, such as waxing the car, you’ll need other products.
Does the soap work on natural stone such as marble and limestone?
Yes, it does! Fatty soap cares for all natural materials.
(However, vinegar and other acidic products should be avoided on stone.)
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What payment methods are available?
We offer Swish, invoice, or Visa/Mastercard/AMEX.
Qliro is Västerbottenssåpa’s payment provider and processes payment transactions at checkout. When you choose Swish, you will therefore see that the payment recipient is Q*västerbottenssåpa, which means that Qliro is the recipient of the purchase funds and handles the payment on behalf of Västerbottenssåpa.
Can I pay with a voucher?
Yes, you can use a voucher when making a purchase in our store. The full value must be used on one occasion, and the voucher is valid until the specified expiration date.
How are the goods delivered?
All orders from private individuals are shipped with PostNord. Larger orders and business orders may be shipped with DHL.
Why should you have three different soaps? Wouldn’t one bottle work just as well?
There are three different reasons why we believe the kitchen should be cleaned without fragrances: we do not need to perfume surfaces where food is prepared. It is also important to remove bad odors from the kitchen rather than covering them up with fragrances. Gray/black labels are completely fragrance-free. Bathroom products contain an added forest scent and are labeled “bathroom” to help prevent the spread of microbes between the kitchen and bathroom. Products such as toilet cleaner should not be taken from the bathroom and used on, for example, the kitchen countertop; they belong in the bathroom, which is also why we have special bathroom soaps. The green all-purpose cleaners contain an added juniper scent and are suitable for all other surfaces.
How long is the delivery time?
Estimated delivery time is approximately 3–5 days.
Do you ship goods outside Sweden?
We currently do not ship goods outside Sweden, but we may do so in the future. To stay updated and be the first to know when that happens, you can subscribe to our newsletter.
Can I return my item if I’m not satisfied?
Yes, but terms and conditions apply. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact our customer service immediately at info@vasterbottenssapa.se, and we will try to help you.
I entered the wrong address or delivery details. What should I do?
If your delivery details are incorrect, please contact our customer service immediately at info@vasterbottenssapa.se, and we will be happy to help.
I have received incorrect/damaged products. What should I do?
Please carefully inspect the goods when you receive them. If the product is damaged or you have received the wrong product, please contact our customer service immediately at info@vasterbottenssapa.se, and we will assist you. When contacting us by email, please attach digital photos of the products/damage to help us process your case.
Why are there no men cleaning in your commercials?
—Yes, men do clean in our advertisements, but we have many different videos running at the same time, so of course it’s possible that you haven’t seen them all. Feel free to scroll through our Instagram or TikTok feed, and you’ll find men cleaning.
Where can I find the payment and shipping terms?
Visit our page for Terms & Conditions.
What is the difference between a spray bottle and a pump bottle?
The soap in the pump bottle is more concentrated than the soap in the spray bottle. Use the pump bottle for slightly tougher cleaning. Apply soap and a little warm water directly to a brush, sponge, or cloth and clean. Remove stains, spills, and anything else that is a little more stubborn. When you only need to wipe down the dining table, kitchen counter, or a piece of furniture, use a soft cloth and soap spray.
Why are your soaps available in several varieties?
We don’t think there should be fragrances in the kitchen, partly because there’s no need for scented cutlery, plates, cutting boards, and so on, and partly because in the kitchen you want to be sure that any unpleasant odors have been cleaned away rather than covered up with fragrances.
The bathroom soap, on the other hand, has a mild forest scent. It is labeled “bathroom” so that you can distinguish the products and tools. You want to keep them separate to reduce the risk of spreading microbes throughout the home. It is obvious that many products should not be moved between the kitchen and bathroom, while this is less obvious for others, which is why we have a special bathroom soap.
The green one is an all-purpose cleaner with a mild juniper scent, intended for all other rooms.
How long is the shelf life?
Soft soap essentially lasts forever. If you were to leave it without a lid or cap for so long that all the water evaporated, it would take the form of a hard bar of soap. However, it would still lather if rubbed with a little warm water. So it does not spoil, even if left uncapped for many years.
Soap spray mixed according to the included instructions has a pH of approximately 9, which means it does not spoil either. It remains usable until the bottle is empty.
What is the difference between your soap and “regular” soap?
Soaps have different properties depending on which oil or fat they are made from. Linseed oil soaps and Västerbottenssåpa contain a higher excess of fat than, for example, pine oil soaps. There is a longer text here that explains all the differences in greater detail. https://vasterbottenssapa.se/blogs/stadguiden/gron-eller-gul-sapa-vad-ar-skillnaden
Can I buy Västerbottenssåpa in a store?
Yes! You can find a list of all retailers that offer our products via this link.
MISCELLANEOUS
Which soap should I use for a wooden deck, balcony floor, and/or patio?
For cleaning outdoor surfaces and garages, we recommend our decking soap. The fat in the soap treats and nourishes the wood fibers instead of drying them out, so your patio and other surfaces stay beautiful for longer.
How much soap is needed to clean wooden surfaces?
For newer wooden floors, mix 6 tablespoons of liquid soap with 10 liters of water.
For outdoor wooden floors, such as a patio, a rule of thumb is to mix one part soap with ten parts water (1:10), which is enough for approximately 30 m2. To replenish the oil in scrubbed floors, use the same ratio of water to soap and scrub with a scrubbing brush or floor scrub brush several times a year.
Note that a soft, porous type of wood, such as pine, requires more soap, while a hard type, such as teak or larch, requires less. The perfect ratio also depends on the condition of the wood and how dirty the surface is.
Can I use regular green soap instead?
Traditional green soft soap has not been produced since hemp cultivation was banned in Sweden. It was the green color of hemp oil that made the soap green and effective. The green soap you have is probably pine-oil-based soap that has been colored and fragranced. It does not have the same nourishing properties as an overfatted soap.
How do I use bar soap?
Apply concentrated soft soap directly to a brush or sponge. Add a little lukewarm water, then start cleaning the surface.
What are the benefits of bar soap?
Solid soap has several advantages and is especially effective for certain types of cleaning:
- It is highly concentrated and takes up little space in the cleaning cupboard
- You do not transport water = climate-smart
- It does not run off vertical surfaces, such as when cleaning kitchen tiles
- It effectively dissolves grease and ingrained dirt, for example when cleaning ovens
- You can use it to remove stains from, for example, shoes and outerwear
Is solid soap water-soluble?
Of course it is, but it takes a little time. If you want to mop the floor, it’s much faster to use liquid soap, which mixes quickly with the water in the mop bucket.
How do I mix soap spray?
If you purchased our Soap Spray starter kit, empty the refill into the spray bottle. Then fill the rest with water (approximately 0.5 liters).
How do I clean with vinegar?
Vinegar is best for removing limescale deposits. You can easily remove limescale deposits in the kitchen and bathroom with vinegar and a little water on a cloth. Do not use vinegar on wood or stone, especially calcareous stone such as marble. Vinegar can also be used as a fabric softener in the washing machine. Just remember that vinegar can make some stains permanent, so do not use vinegar with stained clothes.
How do I clean with baking soda?
Baking soda is alkaline, whitening, and mildly abrasive. It can be used to clean the stove and remove yellow stains from shirt collars or under the arms of a sweaty T-shirt. It can also be used to whiten white laundry. You can replace stain remover with baking soda as a safer alternative.
How do I remove rust and green deposits from copper?
Metal stains are easiest to remove with a mixture of sea salt and something acidic, such as vinegar or citric acid, especially if there is a lot of rust. Green stains in the porcelain sink come from copper pipes—and you can easily remove them with a little vinegar mixed with sea salt.
Which surfaces should I avoid using vinegar on?
Natural stone:
As mentioned earlier, vinegar is used to remove limescale, so using vinegar on calcareous materials is NOT a good idea—it can seriously damage the material.
Particularly sensitive materials include marble, limestone, granite, and sandstone. In short, avoid using it on all stone, including floor tiles.
Wood:
Wood should not be treated with acids; wood needs oil. Acids such as vinegar will damage the wood by drying out the material.
Think back—what did your woodworking teacher say? They said: Oil your butter knife or cutting board. This is done to treat and preserve the wood. No woodworking teacher ever said: Now put some vinegar on …. NO! No acids, no vinegar on wood.
Iron:
This may seem a little strange because vinegar works so well for descaling a coffee maker, BUT it is the electronics in the iron that can be damaged, so—no vinegar in the iron.
Wax:
Avoid using vinegar on all waxed surfaces; they will become dull and unattractive. So no vinegar on waxed floors or furniture.
Stains on textiles:
If you get berries or other strongly colored stains on clothes or rugs, do not use vinegar to remove them. It will only set the stain and make it stick even more firmly.
Is it perfume or essential oils that provide the fragrance in your products?
We use synthetic fragrance in our products, but we also offer completely fragrance-free alternatives.
Can I add essential oil to the soap to make it more fragrant?
Yes, you can add your own essential oil when cleaning. Do not add essential oil directly to the bottle, as the surfactant in the soap breaks down and destroys the oil in the essential oil. The purpose of surfactants in all cleaning products, as well as in soaps, is to attack greasy dirt and break it down. Surfactants cannot distinguish between essential oil and greasy dirt, so they will attack it in the same way they break down greasy dirt. However, a couple of drops in a bucket of cleaning water is fine, since it is only for a short time and the product is diluted.
Be careful with essential oils; they can be highly allergenic and corrosive. Read the warning text on the back of your essential oil.
How do soap/vinegar work on tile grout with rust?
Rust and other deposits from metal can be removed with something acidic, such as vinegar. Be careful with vinegar and natural stone—it is not a good idea—but when it comes to dissolving rust stains, it is the acidity that does the trick. The same applies to green stains from copper pipes, etc.
Are your products asthma- and allergy-friendly?
Västerbottenssåpa contains only rapeseed oil and potassium hydroxide, making it a mild and gentle soap without unnecessary additives. However, the scented products contain a very small amount of fragrance. If you have asthma or allergies, it may be a good idea to choose the fragrance-free version to minimize the risk of reactions.
The soap is gentle on the skin and the environment, but people with extremely sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity should always test it carefully or consult a doctor if unsure.
Is there any material or purpose for which soap is not suitable?
The soap is a little too greasy for glass and should not be used in excessive amounts on surfaces painted with linseed oil paint.
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