Most people reach for oil when it’s time to care for their wooden terrace. But in the Nordic tradition, there’s another way - one that keeps the wood beautiful, soft, and naturally weather-resistant without sealing it under a sticky layer. It’s called såpskurning, or soap cleaning.

When you clean your terrace (or any wooden surface outside, like our jetty here in the picture) with linseed oil soap, the natural fatty acids in the soap penetrate the wood fibers, gently nourishing and protecting them from within. Over time, this builds up a subtle, breathable surface that repels dirt and moisture - while allowing the wood to age gracefully and evenly in the open air.

Unlike oil, which can darken wood, attract dirt, and eventually flake or become patchy, soap cleaning preserves the natural tone and texture of the wood. The surface stays light, matte, and easy to maintain - no sanding, stripping, or re-oiling needed.

Soap cleaning is also kinder to nature: no solvents, no harsh chemicals - just pure, linseed soap made from biodegradable linseed oil, and water.

A beautiful, low-maintenance way to let your terrace stay exactly as it should be: alive, natural, and weathered with dignity.

1. Sweep and rinse the terrace. If the wood is very dirty, rinse it with water and let it soak for a few minutes so the surface softens.

2. Mix your såpa solution.Add about 2–3 tablespoons of linseed oil soap per liter of warm water (you can go stronger if the terrace is very dry or weathered).

3. Scrub with the grain. Dip your brush in the soapy water and scrub the wood thoroughly, following the direction of the grain. The soap will start to lather slightly - that’s what you want.

4. Let it soak in. If the terrace is new or has not been treated in a long time, let the soap sit for at least 10–15 minutes so the fatty acids can penetrate the wood.

5. Rinse lightly or leave as is. You can rinse off lightly with clean water - or (if the surfaces is not dirty) skip rinsing altogether and just let it dry. The small amount of linseed oil left behind will help nourish and protect the wood. If you need to rinse of dirt, repeat the soap treatment and leave the soap to soak in.

6. Repeat regularly. With each wash, a thin, natural protective layer builds up. The surface becomes smoother, less prone to cracking, and easier to clean over time.

TIP: If the terrace is sun-bleached or dry, use a slightly stronger soap mix for the first cleaning, and repeat a few times during the season. You’ll see how the wood gradually regains its soft, matte tone.

My friend Linda and I did a little test on her terrasse in Stockholm. The wood had not been treated or cared for in years and was really dry.
All we did was a quick scrub on three planks to to check the difference.

We used the unscented Såpa from Pataholm. You can find it here.