Five questions and answers about cleaning the deck with soap

 

 

How should I clean my deck?

To ensure that your deck lasts a long time, it is important to keep it free from dirt and fallen leaves, especially in autumn when the leaves are often wet and easily provide a foothold for algae and other growth. Therefore, regularly brush away leaves and dirt.

For effective and gentle cleaning, it is a good idea to use a superfatted soap, such as Soapa, which cleans while caring for the wood and helping to prevent algae and other growth!

 

 

How should the deck be treated?

 

No deck is completely maintenance-free, but some types of wood can be left untreated if you want the deck to develop a naturally grey patina. If, on the other hand, you want to preserve the deck’s natural colour and lustre, you should treat it regularly.

Oil is traditionally used to add colour and protection, but a superfatted soap such as Soapa is an excellent alternative if you want a lighter and more natural finish, while also giving the wood extra protection and making it easier to clean.

 

 

Five questions and answers about soaping your deck

Soaping your deck is a good alternative to oiling it or treating it in another way. Below, I answer five of the most common questions we receive.

1. Can I soap my pressure-treated wooden deck?

Yes, absolutely. Your deck will become pleasant to walk and spend time on; the surface will be silky smooth, slightly waxed, and therefore easy to keep clean. Pollen and dust will not stick to it as they can when the surface is a little “oily”.


2. Does soap affect the durability of my pressure-treated deck?

Not really. Pressure-treated wood today is generally very good quality, and what determines how long “pressure-treated” wood lasts is the pressure treatment itself, not the surface treatment. However, you can of course affect 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. 

 

 

3. Should I use cold or hot water when scrubbing?

You cannot treat a dirty surface, so you first need to clean it. Do this with hot water and superfatted soap. With a stiff brush and soap, you can remove much more dirt than you might think. You can “save” something that actually looks a little hopeless at first. Give it a try before replacing the deck—it might work! Of course, it all depends on the starting condition and the material, but people are often pleasantly surprised by what a stiff scrubbing brush and soap can do.

When the surface is clean, use cold water and soap. Use a soft brush and/or a cloth. Mix approximately 1 litre of soap with 9 litres of water—one bucket of cleaning solution. The water should feel greasy from the soap. Go over the deck and let the soap soak in. You will notice when the material stops absorbing the excess fat in the soap. A new deck or a deck made from a harder type of wood will absorb less than a soft, porous deck.

4. How much soap is needed?

It depends on the condition and type of wood. A porous, dried-out pine board absorbs more soap than a new pressure-treated board. But a rule of thumb is approximately 1 litre of soap per 30 m². Dilute 1 litre of soap with 9 litres of water—one bucket of cleaning solution—to make the solution easy to handle. 

5. Can I change my mind and oil the deck after soaping it?

Yes, of course. Soap is a type of detergent, not a type of oil, impregnation, or paint. If you feel that there is too much soap on or in the deck, simply scrub it once more using only hot water and a brush.