Frequently asked questions about the laboratory test
Sara IdenforsHere you will find answers to the most common questions about the independent laboratory test of VästerbottensSåpa. The answers are based on the test protocol from Center For Testmaterials BV. Wherever we provide technical explanations beyond the report, this is clearly indicated.
1. How was the soap tested?
The soap was tested on both new and old, dirty impregnated wood in an independent laboratory. The wood samples were treated with a soap solution, machine-scrubbed, and then evaluated visually and through a panel test.
2. Who conducted the laboratory test?
The test was conducted by Center For Testmaterials BV in the Netherlands on behalf of VästerbottensSåpa.
3. Why was old wood used?
To investigate how the product works on wood exposed to weather, dirt, and prolonged use—a situation that corresponds to many older patios and decks.
4. Why was impregnated wood used?
The report concerns the cleaning and treatment of impregnated wood because the product is intended for, among other things, decking and other outdoor wood surfaces.
5. Was new wood also tested?
Yes. The laboratory compared results for both new impregnated wood and old, dirty impregnated wood.
6. What does panel test mean?
A panel test involves several people assessing a surface's properties, such as how it feels to the touch. In this test, the perceived softness of the wood was assessed.
7. How many people took part in the panel test?
Five panel participants assessed how the wood surfaces felt after treatment.
8. What did the panel assess?
The panel compared treated wood surfaces with untreated reference samples and assessed whether the surface felt soft or rough.
9. What did the panel test show?
On old wood, the treated surface was perceived as significantly softer.
10. What was measured in the laboratory test?
The laboratory evaluated two things:
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cleaning effect
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the perceived surface properties of the wood (caring properties) after treatment.
11. What was not measured?
The report did not investigate why the wood became softer or analyze the chemical mechanisms behind the result.
12. Why were two temperatures used?
The test method consisted of two treatment steps: first a hot soap solution and then a cold one. The report describes the method but does not state why these particular temperatures were chosen.
13. How hot was the first soap solution?
The first treatment was carried out with a soap solution at 60 °C.
14. How cold was the second soap solution?
The second treatment was carried out with a soap solution at 15 °C.
15. How long was the wood in the soap solution?
Each treatment began by immersing the wood samples in the soap solution for 10 seconds.
16. What concentration did the soap solution have?
Step 1: 1 dl of soap per 10 liters of water.
Step 2: 1 liter of soap per 9 liters of water.
17. How was the wood scrubbed?
The wood samples were scrubbed with a TQC Washability Tester, a machine that applies identical brush strokes to each sample.
18. How many brush strokes were performed?
Each sample was subjected to eight brush strokes, corresponding to four complete cycles.
19. How quickly was the wood scrubbed?
The machine operated at 20 brush strokes per minute.
20. What load was used during scrubbing?
The brush was loaded with an additional weight of 800 grams.
21. How many samples were tested?
The laboratory used six replicates, two from each wood sample.
22. How was the wood dried?
After each treatment, the wood samples were dried in an oven at 60 °C for one hour before the next step or evaluation.
23. Why was no instrumental color measurement performed?
The laboratory determined that the wood's natural structure made it impossible to measure color differences with sufficient accuracy using the MACH5 instrument. Visual comparisons were therefore used.
24. Why was it not possible to measure the color?
Because the wood grain and natural variation caused differences that were too great for instrumental color measurements to be reliable.
25. What did the cleaning test on old wood show?
After the first treatment, some cleaning was observed. After the second treatment, the laboratory noted a more significant cleaning effect.
26. What does overfat soap mean?
An overfat soap is a soap in which a small amount of natural fatty acids remains after saponification. These may help make the wood feel less rough after treatment. This is a technical explanation and was not investigated in the laboratory report.
27. Does the laboratory test show why wood feels softer?
No. The report shows that the panel perceived the wood as softer, but it does not analyze the cause of the effect.
28. Was the laboratory test independent?
Yes. The test was carried out by an external laboratory commissioned by VästerbottensSåpa. The laboratory was responsible for the test methodology, execution, and documentation.
39. Can I expect the same result at home?
Not necessarily. The result is influenced by factors including the type of wood, its age, previous treatments, soiling, and how the cleaning is performed. The laboratory test shows how the product performed under controlled test conditions.
At home, you can influence the result yourself by adjusting the pressure, amount of soap, number of brush strokes, type of brush, and water temperature according to your conditions. You may have algae growth and need a stiffer brush, or perhaps your wood is drier and would benefit from a little more soap.