Here we take a different approach to caring for wooden decking—scrubbing it with soap! It may not be as common a method as oiling, but it offers unique benefits and a distinctive look for your deck. By using soap instead of oil, you give the decking a soft, natural feel without making the surface glossy. 

 

 

Can you scrub pressure-treated wooden decking with soap… or untreated decking, for that matter?

 

– Yes, that's right! It is entirely true—you can actually choose to scrub wooden decking with soap instead of oiling it. (It's somewhat similar to scrubbing an indoor wooden floor with soap.)
The difference between soap and oil is that soap will not give the wooden decking an oily, glossy surface; instead, it gives it a soft, warm feel. The pressure treatment of the timber provides sufficient basic protection, and oiling or soaping does not improve its durability. Surface treatment is used to prevent small cracks and create a pleasant, beautiful surface; if you choose soap, you also avoid the problem of the decking attracting pollen and other dirt, as the surface becomes velvety and easy to clean. 

 

 

Here's how:

 

 

 

1. Start by sweeping it clean!

 

An old-fashioned broom works well. You want to sweep away everything loose on the surface.

 

2. Scrub brushes and soap are what you need next.

 

– Choose a coarse brush if the decking is heavily soiled.
– A Levang is a brush designed to be attached to a handle. It is useful if you have a large patio/deck.
– The soap must be superfatted to create that protective surface and provide the velvety feel of an old scrubbed wooden floor.
– Scrub with hot or lukewarm water and soap to clean them.

 

 

 

3. Work extra on areas stained or affected by algae, lichen, or moss.

 

 

 

 

 

Lichen infestation

 

 

 

4. Rinse or wipe it off!

If needed. If you can see that the surface is covered with material scrubbed loose from the wood, you need to remove it before moving on to the next step. 

 

 

5. Surface treatment.

Mop the deck with cold water and plenty of soap (superfatted soap). Some soap should remain—the fat in the soap needs to soak into the wood. 1 L of soap + 9 L of water in a cleaning bucket is usually about right.
Wipe the entire surface with plenty of soap in the cloth so that it is absorbed into the wood. Once the wood has dried, you will notice whether it needs more soap—whether it wants to absorb more of the fat in the soap. If so, repeat step 6. Old, dry, and porous surfaces need more soap than new, harder types of wood.

 

 

 

 Before and after

 

 

 

 

The wood has acquired a soft and “warm” surface. It will not attract pollen and other dirt in the same way as an oiled deck.
– For more surface coverage, wipe several more times with cold water and soap.
The next day, the wooden deck had dried overnight.

 

 

This image comes from a customer. The difference in lighting between the images is because the after image was taken the next day, after the deck had dried following soap scrubbing.

Note! Never use a pressure washer directly on the wooden deck, as it can damage the planks!

 

 

Scrubbing a wooden deck with soap, a short video…

 

Here is our package with everything you need: Soap for patios, gardens, and outdoor use

 

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- How does soap scrubbing differ from traditional oiling when it comes to caring for a wooden deck?

Unlike oil, which can produce a glossy surface, soap scrubbing provides a softer and more natural feel. In addition, the soap acts as protection without negatively affecting the strength of the wooden deck.

 

- What steps are involved in scrubbing a wooden deck with soap?

 

 

 

The process involves cleaning the deck, using scrubbing brushes and superfatted soap, focusing on stained or affected areas, rinsing or wiping as needed, and finishing by treating the wood with soap and water to achieve a soft, easy-to-clean surface.

 

- What are the benefits of using superfatted soap to scrub a wooden deck?

 

Superfatted soap not only provides a protective layer, but also gives the wooden deck a soft and warm feel. It also helps prevent the wooden deck from attracting pollen and dirt, making it easier to maintain over time.

 

We recommend using our deck soap. The package with deck soap, scrubbing brushes, and a cleaning cloth can be found here: Soap for patios, gardens, and outdoor use

Order natural cleaning products here: Soapa