Comparison: natural cleaning brands
9 Swedish soap brands, from super-fatted stain removal to classic linseed oil soap
Västerbottenssåpa
Super-fatted soap from northern Sweden
Grease stains, general cleaning, laundry
No third-party eco-label (e.g. Nordic Swan)
Grumme
Nordic Swan and Good Environmental Choice certified
Windows, kitchen, bathroom, daily cleaning
Not super-fatted, less effective on grease stains
Gysinge
Linseed oil-based garden soap
Floors, wood, garden furniture, decking
Small range, focused on surfaces, not clothing
Sunda Sverige
Natural cleaning products for the whole home
General cleaning, skin and health care, textiles
No official eco-label, not super-fatted
Green Soap
Classic alkaline tall oil soap
Floors, outdoor cleaning
Tall oil based (industrial byproduct), no certifications
Grunne
Swedish-made linseed oil soap
Floors, wood, surfaces, outdoor
Focused on linseed oil soap, limited range, no textile products
Hälsingesåpa
Traditional tall oil soap from Hälsingland
Floors, wood, general cleaning
Tall oil based, not super-fatted, limited range
Ekotipset
Super-fatted linseed soap, budget alternative
Decking, patios, outdoor
Narrow range (mainly deck soap), sold via Clas Ohlson
Hagmans
Linseed oil soap for building and renovation
Floors, wood, painted surfaces, renovation
Industrial focus, not suited for clothing or stain removal
Detailed comparison
| Property | Västerbottenssåpa | Grumme | Gysinge | Sunda Sverige | Green Soap | Grunne | Hälsingesåpa | Ekotipset | Hagmans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stain removal | |||||||||
| Eco profile | |||||||||
| Value for money | |||||||||
| Product range | |||||||||
| Super-fatted | ✓ | – | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ | – |
| Free from tall oil | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Eco-label (third-party) | – | ✓ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Refill system | ✓ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Our verdict
Västerbottenssåpa is the only brand that is both super-fatted and free from tall oil, making it unique for stain removal. The principle of "like dissolves like" means the extra fat content emulsifies fat-based stains more effectively than the other brands. The range is widest with over 50 products. The downside is price and lack of an official eco-label.
Grumme is the right choice if you prioritize a certified eco-label (Nordic Swan) and lower price for daily surface cleaning. Products are available in grocery stores. Worse choice for grease stains.
Gysinge specializes in wood and floors, excellent for wooden floors, decking and garden furniture. Not an option for clothing or carpet care.
Sunda Sverige is a broad natural care brand with vegan products free from synthetic fragrances. A good option for those seeking a cohesive range of natural products for home and body, but not specialized for stain removal.
Green Soap works as a cheap base material for heavy-duty cleaning, but the tall oil base and absence of certifications make it the least interesting from a sustainability perspective.
Grunne offers affordable linseed oil soap in bulk, a solid choice for floors and wood, but the range is limited to surface cleaning. Similar to Gysinge but lower price per liter.
Hälsingesåpa is a traditional tall oil soap competing in the same segment as Green Soap but with stronger local roots. Shares the same downside, tall oil and no super-fatting.
Ekotipset is interesting as the only budget brand with a super-fatted formula. The deck soap (229 SEK/2.5 L) costs significantly less than Västerbottenssåpa's equivalent, but the range is extremely limited.
Hagmans is primarily a paint and surface treatment company. Their linseed oil soap targets building and renovation, not household cleaning or stain removal.
Frequently asked questions
Which natural cleaning brand is best for stain removal?
Västerbottenssåpa is best for stain removal thanks to its super-fatted formula, the extra fat content effectively dissolves grease-based stains on the principle of 'like dissolves like'. Grumme and Gysinge are good for surface cleaning but lack this property.
What is the difference between Västerbottenssåpa and Green Soap?
Västerbottenssåpa is super-fatted and free from tall oil, it contains more fat than needed to form soap, giving extra fat-dissolving ability. Green Soap is based on tall oil (an industrial byproduct from paper manufacturing) and is not super-fatted. VS is more effective on stains but costs more.
Which brand has the best eco-certification?
Grumme has the strongest third-party certification with both the Nordic Swan and Good Environmental Choice labels. Västerbottenssåpa is made from recycled raw materials and is free from tall oil, but lacks an official eco-label. Gysinge uses linseed oil which is a renewable raw material.
Is Grumme or Västerbottenssåpa better for kitchen cleaning?
For greasy kitchen stains and oven cleaning, Västerbottenssåpa is superior thanks to its super-fatted formula. For daily surface cleaning of counters and tiles, Grumme's Soap Spray is a cost-effective alternative with official eco-certification.
Can you use Gysinge on clothes?
No, Gysinge Gysingesåpa is designed for floors, wood and garden furniture, not for clothing. For clothes and fabrics, Västerbottenssåpa Solid Soap or Laundry Detergent is recommended.
What does Sunda Sverige offer that the others don't?
Sunda Sverige positions itself broadly on natural care, cleaning, skincare and health in one. Products are vegan and free from synthetic fragrances. Unlike VS they are not super-fatted, but they are a good choice for those who want a broader natural range beyond just cleaning.
What is the difference between linseed oil soap and super-fatted soap?
Linseed oil soap (Grunne, Gysinge, Hagmans) is made from linseed oil and potassium lye, it cleans and conditions wood and floors but is not designed for stain removal on textiles. Super-fatted soap (Västerbottenssåpa, Ekotipset) contains extra fat beyond what is needed for saponification, making it effective against grease stains on clothes, carpets and fabrics.
Is Ekotipset a good alternative to Västerbottenssåpa?
Ekotipset is the only budget brand with a super-fatted formula and costs significantly less (229 SEK/2.5 L vs 795 SEK). However, the range is limited to deck soap, Västerbottenssåpa offers 50+ products for laundry, kitchen, bathroom, windows and stain removal.
What separates Hälsingesåpa from Green Soap?
Both are tall oil based, but Hälsingesåpa is a locally manufactured product with a stronger craft profile. Green Soap is a generic bulk product sold by grocery chains. Performance is similar, neither is super-fatted or tall oil free.