Frequently Asked Questions
BALCONY, GARDEN AND OUTDOORS
Can I use soap to clean our pressure-treated wooden deck?
Yes, you certainly can. Your decking will be pleasant to spend time on, with a silky-smooth, slightly waxed surface that is 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 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. But 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 glossier.
Should I use cold or hot water when mopping?
You can’t treat a dirty surface, so you first need to clean it. Do this with 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 beyond hope. 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, go over it with cold water and soap. Use a soft brush and/or a cloth. Mix approximately 1 litre of soap with 9 litres of water—the perfect amount for a scrubbing bucket. 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 oils 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 surface and type of wood. A porous, dried-out pine plank absorbs more cleaner than a new pressure-treated plank. But a rule of thumb is approximately 1 L of cleaner per 30 m². Mix 1 L of cleaner with 9 L of water—one bucketful—so the solution is easy to handle.
Can I change my mind and oil after I’ve used soap?
Yes, you can. Soft soap is a type of soap, not a type of oil, impregnation, or paint. If you feel that there is too much soap in or on the decking, simply scrub it once more using only warm water and a brush.
Which soap can I use on a wooden deck?
You should always choose a superfat soap—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 in your feet. If the decking is affected by algae, for example, it is better to use a stiff brush and scrub with soap and water.
When should I soap-clean my deck?
It’s a good idea to clean with soap in the spring before you start furnishing and decorating your patio. It’s much easier to reach the entire surface then, and you’ll remove anything that has accumulated—and perhaps even started growing—during the autumn and winter.
You can also scrub in the autumn to keep algae away, and if you want to freshen up the surface, you can certainly treat it with cold water and soap in midsummer as well.
What do I need to soap-clean my deck?
Superfatted soap
Cloth
Bucket
A scrub brush, preferably one hard and one soft.
Won’t it be slippery?
No, as long as the soap soaks into the wood, it won’t become slippery. When you notice that the soap is no longer soaking in and a lot of soap remains on the surface, the wood is saturated and ready. Wipe up the excess, then enjoy your deck. It doesn’t really matter which cleaning product you use—if you use too much, it will become slippery. However, dried-out wood is still 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 9 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. But 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 bucket of cleaning solution—so the solution is easy to handle.
We usually clean and then oil once a year. Should I oil after using the soap, or is that not necessary?
Whether you oil it or not is a matter of taste. The surface becomes matte and smooth if you treat it with soap. Oiling removes that effect, making the surface slightly shinier. If the wood is pressure-treated, the quality of the pressure treatment is the main factor determining its durability and lifespan. The surface is what is affected by the type of treatment you choose.
Can I scrub the dock with your soap?
Yes, you can, BUT it is never good to release too much dirt and surfactants into waterways.
More importantly, you should avoid releasing anything into waterways, regardless of what it is.
So yes, clean the dock, but do so carefully. For example, if oil and gasoline from the boat engine have spilled onto the dock, you do not want to scrub them off only for them to end up in the water.
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 pipe, 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 there is a serious blockage in the drain, this is not the most effective method. BUT when you notice that the water is draining too slowly, this is an excellent solution!
The vinegar can also be used on limescale deposits. The best method is to soak a cotton or microfiber cloth in vinegar and then rub it against the areas where the limescale has accumulated, such as faucets.
Leave it to work 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 in 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 ideal for more stubborn, ingrained dirt. Use soap, a brush, and lukewarm water.
What sets the bathroom soap apart from other soap products?
It’s the same superfat and effective soap, but in a different bottle with 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?
Can I use the soap spray in the toilet bowl?
The soap spray is diluted for “lighter” cleaning that you can spray on and wipe 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 so it can be used in, for example, the toilet bowl.
KITCHEN
How do I use bar soap?
Apply the solid soap directly to a brush or sponge. Add a little lukewarm water, then start cleaning the surface.
What are the benefits of solid 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 ingrained dirt, such as when cleaning the oven
- You can use it to remove stains from items such as shoes and outerwear
- You do not transport water, making it climate-smart
Is solid soap water-soluble?
Of course it is, but it takes time. If you need to mop the floor, it is 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 highly effective against tougher stains, such as oven stains; the only difference is that one has a juniper scent and the other is unscented.
How many degrees 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, ecofiber 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 approximately 20 minutes and place a bowl of water inside.
Turn off the oven and let it cool before you start wiping it out.
Alternatively, you can leave the soap in the oven overnight. This is recommended if the oven is very dirty; continue the cleaning the next day. Use the ecofiber cloth when wiping it out, and finish by wiping 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 in 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 ideal for more stubborn, ingrained dirt. Use soap, a brush, and lukewarm water.
LAUNDRY DETERGENT
How much laundry detergent is actually needed for the clothes to get 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 washing 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 laundry detergent is needed for hand washing?
10–15 ml for a 10-liter basin of water; likewise here, you may use a little more detergent if the laundry is heavily soiled.
What applies to a full and a half-full load?
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 out instead if possible. Pre-treat stains, and don’t lower washing temperatures too much.
Is it fragrance-free?
There is one scented and one unscented version.
Is it hypoallergenic?
Allergy sufferers should always choose the fragrance-free option. Whatever the product, people with allergies should opt for fragrance-free versions, 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, fragrance-free is preferable. Small children don’t need fragrances on their clothes.
Can it be used for whites, blacks, and colored laundry?
Yes, that works. However, our laundry detergent contains neither bleach nor optical brighteners. If you feel that a garment needs bleaching, we recommend 1–2 tbsp 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 our detergent. 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 feel free to use our citrus-scented laundry detergent.
What are the most common ingredients in laundry detergent, and how do they affect my clothes and skin?
Laundry detergent contains surfactants, and all surfactants affect the surface tension of water. Therefore, you should follow the recommendations and ensure that you have an approved drainage system. Bleaching agents in laundry detergent affect textiles just as the name suggests: they bleach them, which puts 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 really is, and laundry detergent often also contains fragrances.
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 action, and chemicals. If you lower the temperature, you need to increase another element. The wash cycle and machine provide the mechanical action, while 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 temperature is 37°C (normally). Does the water you wash dishes in feel hot or cold? Then think about the laundry and stains you are dealing with: at what temperature does it seem reasonable that you could remove these stains? A 30°C wash cycle 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 get clean or stains do not disappear because the washing temperature is too low, and you end up buying a new garment instead.
How does hard or soft water affect the effectiveness of laundry detergent?
Hard or moderately hard water requires 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 litre and 4.3 milligrams of magnesium per litre.
- 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 like oil, blood, and grass?
Stains should be pretreated. Please read our guide on the blog HERE!
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
Which floors should I not use soap on?
You can use soap on all floors, but plastic floors that don’t absorb any excess require only a very small amount of soap. Click floors (plastic varieties) should be mopped as usual, but with only a little soap. If you happen to use too much, a slight film may form; simply mop once with a little dishwashing liquid in the water instead.
Does the soap work on mold stains in silicone joints?
Liquid soap is effective against mold stains. Mold prefers an acidic environment in which to grow, while liquid soap is alkaline—that is, the opposite—so it works well. Unfortunately, with silicone joints, mold tends to work its way underneath the edges of the joint over time. In other words, it is underneath, which makes it very difficult to scrub or clean away. You can scrub away what is on the surface, 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 hardware store for mold-resistant silicone sealant. It is available now—it has become available more recently—and works much better.
Doesn’t using soap on, for example, washbasins or painted surfaces leave a greasy film? Do I need to wipe them down with water afterward? On, for example, unfinished wooden floors, it’s clearly an advantage, 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 several decades promoting alternatives to ordinary soap, so this is a common argument made by various manufacturers. In the past, there was only soap, and our oldest and finest homes were cleaned with soap for a very long time.
Can I wash my car with soap?
Yes, that works well. Soft soap is “a type of soap,” so it can be used for cleaning, but if you want to perform other kinds of 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! Our fatty soap cares for all natural materials.
(However, vinegar and other acidic products should be avoided on stone.)
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Which payment methods are available?
We offer Swish, invoice, or Visa/Mastercard/AMEX.
Qliro is Soapa’s payment provider and handles payment transactions at checkout. When you choose Swish, you will therefore see that the payment recipient is Q*Soapa, which means that Qliro is the recipient of the purchase funds and processes the payment on behalf of Soapa.
Can I pay with a voucher?
Yes, you can use a voucher when shopping in our store. The full value must be used on a single occasion, and the voucher is valid until the stated expiration date.
How are the products delivered?
All orders from private individuals are shipped with PostNord. Larger orders and business orders may be shipped with DHL.
Why do you need three different soaps? Wouldn’t one bottle work just as well?
How long is the delivery time?
Estimated delivery time is approximately 3–5 days.
Do you ship products outside Sweden?
We currently do not ship products outside Sweden, but we may do so in the future. To stay updated and be the first to know, 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 inspect the goods carefully 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 include digital photos of the products/damage to help expedite your case.
Why are there no men cleaning in your commercials?
-Yes, there are men cleaning in our commercials, but we have many different videos running simultaneously, so of course it may happen 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 Terms & Agreements page.
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 other dirt that is a little more stubborn. When you just 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 fragranced 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 products and cleaning tools can be kept separate. Keeping them separate helps reduce the risk of spreading microbes throughout the home. Many products are obviously not meant to be moved between the kitchen and bathroom, while others are not, 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?
SOAPA keeps virtually indefinitely. If it were left without a lid or cap for long enough for all the water to evaporate, it would take the form of a hard soap. However, it would still lather when rubbed with a little warm water. So it does not spoil, even if left uncapped for many years.
SOAPA spray mixed according to the accompanying instructions has a pH of approximately 9, which also means it does not spoil. It lasts until the bottle is empty.
What is the difference between your soap and “regular” soap?
Soaps have different properties depending on the oil or fat they are made from. Linseed oil soaps and Soapa contain a greater excess of fat than, for example, pine oil soaps. There is a longer text here that explains all the differences in more detail. https://vasterbottenssapa.se/blogs/stadguiden/gron-eller-gul-sapa-vad-ar-skillnaden
Can I buy Soapa in a store?
Yes! You can find a list of all retailers that offer our products via this link.
OTHER
Which soap should I use for a wooden deck, balcony floor, and/or patio?
For cleaning outdoor surfaces and garages, we recommend our deck soap. The fat in the soap treats and nourishes the wood fibers instead of drying them out, helping 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 re-oil scrubbed floors, use the same water-to-soap ratio 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, needs more soap, while a hard type, such as teak or larch, needs 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 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, colored, and scented soap. It does not have the same nourishing properties as an overfat soap.
How do I use bar soap?
Apply the solid soap directly to a brush or sponge. Add a little lukewarm water, then start cleaning the surface.
What are the benefits of solid soap?
Solid soap has several advantages and is particularly effective for certain types of cleaning:
- It is highly concentrated and takes up little space in the cleaning cupboard
- You do not transport water, making it climate-smart
- It does not run off vertical surfaces, such as kitchen tiles
- It effectively removes grease and ingrained dirt, for example when cleaning ovens
- You can use it to remove stains from items such as shoes and outerwear
Is solid soap water-soluble?
How do I mix Såpaspray?
If you purchased our Såpaspray starter kit, empty the contents of the refill into the Sparyflaskan. 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 has a mildly abrasive effect. 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 for 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 when 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 any 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 about it—what did your woodworking teacher say? They said: Oil your butter knife/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 the electronics in the iron can be damaged, so—no vinegar in the iron.
Wax:
Avoid vinegar on all waxed surfaces; they will become dull and unsightly. So, no vinegar on waxed floors or furniture.
Stains on textiles:
If you get berries or other strongly coloured stains on clothes or rugs, do not use vinegar to remove them. It will only set the stain and make it even harder to remove.
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 give it a stronger scent?
Yes, you can add your own essential oil when cleaning. Do not add essential oil directly to the bottle, as the surfactant in soap breaks down and destroys the oil in the essential oil. The surfactant in all cleaning products, as well as in soap, is intended to attack and break down greasy dirt. The surfactant cannot distinguish between essential oil and greasy dirt, so it will attack the essential oil in the same way it breaks down greasy dirt. However, a couple of drops in a bucket of cleaning water are fine, since this involves a short period of time and a diluted product.
Be careful with essential oils, as they can be highly allergenic and corrosive. Read the warning text on the back of your essential oil.
How do the liquid soap and vinegar work on tile grout with iron rust?
Remove rust and other deposits from metal 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, the acidity does the trick. The same applies to green stains from copper pipes, etc..
Are your products asthma- and allergy-friendly?
Soapa contains only rapeseed oil and potassium hydroxide, making it a mild and gentle soap without unnecessary additives. However, the fragranced products contain a very small amount of perfume. 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 the soap isn’t 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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