How much soap should you use? Dosage for different types of wood

Sara Idenfors

One of the most common questions we get is:

"How much soap should I use?"

The simple answer is that it depends on the type of wood.

The basic rule is:

The more porous the wood, the more soap it needs. The harder and denser the wood, the less soap is needed.

The reason is simple. Soap does not just clean the wood surface—it also helps saturate the wood with natural fatty acids. Porous wood absorbs more soap, while a hardwood already has a dense structure and needs considerably less.

Soft and porous types of wood

Types of wood such as:

  • Pine

  • Spruce

  • Untreated wood 

  • Newly sanded wooden floors 

...are more absorbent and benefit from a somewhat stronger soap solution, especially the first few times they are treated.

Over time, the surface becomes more saturated, and the amount can then be reduced.

Hard types of wood

Types of wood such as:

  • Oak

  • Beech

  • Ash

  • Maple

...are considerably denser. Here, a smaller amount of soap in the water is sufficient. 

Older soap-treated floors

An old soap-treated floor that has been cared for over many years is often already well saturated.

In that case, less soap is needed during regular cleaning to clean and maintain the surface.

Is there an exact dosage?

There is no dosage that suits all types of wood and all floors. How much the wood absorbs depends, among other things, on:

  • type of wood

  • age

  • how quickly the tree grew

  • whether the floor is new or old

  • how often it has previously been soap-treated

  • how dry the indoor air is

That is why it is better to base the amount on the characteristics of the wood rather than always using the same quantity of soap.

Remember the basic rule

It is the simplest rule of thumb to remember:

Porous wood = more soap.

Hard and dense wood = less soap.

With the right dosage, the wood becomes clean, develops a beautiful satin-matt surface, and stays looking good for a long time. This may sound difficult, but we promise it is simple! You will notice when you start scrubbing whether the wood needs more soap.


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Questions and answers 


1. How much soap should I use when soap-treating wood?
It depends on the type of wood and how saturated the wood already is. Porous types of wood such as pine, spruce, untreated wood, and newly sanded floors usually need more soap, while harder types of wood such as oak, beech, ash, and maple manage with a smaller amount.

2. Why do different types of wood need different amounts of soap?
The soap not only cleans the surface but also helps saturate the wood with natural fatty acids. Porous wood absorbs more soap because its fibers are more open, while dense types of wood already have a less absorbent structure.

3. Do I need to use the same amount of soap every time I scrub?
No. A new or newly sanded wooden floor may need more soap at first to build up a protective surface. An older soap-treated floor that is already saturated usually needs less soap for regular cleaning and maintenance.

4. Is there an exact dosage for soap-treating wooden floors?
There is no dosage that suits all floors because the type and age of the wood, previous treatment, and indoor climate affect how much soap the wood needs. Follow the basic rule: porous wood needs more soap, while hard and dense wood needs less.


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