Knowledge
In-depth articles on cleaning chemistry, soap, and how to compare products independently. We start from chemistry, not marketing.
Comparisons and buying guides
Which product suits you, and how to read a comparison critically.
Best deck soap 2026: how to choose
GuideHow to choose the right deck soap: comparison of Swedish brands on oil type, superfatting and price.
Soap types and how to read comparisons critically
Swedish soap terminology demystified. Why more oil isn't always better, and how to spot bias in comparisons.
Detergents: categories, enzymes and how to choose
White and color wash, enzymes, fragrance-free, natural.
Soap in northern Sweden: tradition and today's makers
Why northern Sweden became the heartland of Swedish soap-making, and today's producers.
How we assess: our methodology
How Fläckfri tests, ranks and recommends products. Criteria, weighting, conflicts of interest, disclosed openly.
Soap and chemistry
The basics: what soap is, how pH drives cleaning, and what common household chemicals do.
What is soap? Chemistry, history and types
What soap is, how it's made, the difference between linseed, rapeseed and tall oil soaps.
Super-fatted soap: what it is and who makes it
Explanation of the category, optimal percentage (5–10 %), and Swedish producers.
Linseed, tall and rapeseed oil in soap
Technical comparison of four oils: drying, semi-drying, non-drying and what it means in practice.
pH in cleaning: alkaline and acidic cleaners
Why match pH to stain type? Complete reference of common cleaners.
Baking soda: uses, chemistry, safety
What baking soda is, how it works, when it works and when it doesn't.
Vinegar in cleaning: what works and what doesn't
Chemistry, safety, and what to use vinegar for (and not).
Outdoors and seasons
Deck, garden furniture, facade and leather. What to do when, and why timing matters.
Salt stains: the complete guide
GuideSalt stains per material: leather, suede, fabric, rubber, hall floors.
Leather care: the complete guide
GuideLeather from the ground up: smooth, suede, aniline, nubuck.
Seasonal guide: when to clean what
GuideWhat to focus on spring, summer, autumn and winter, and why timing matters.
Clean teak furniture
What teak can take, what it can't, and how to clean it.
Grill grease on concrete pavers
Three levels of action from fresh to old stains, plus prevention that works.
Clean white plastic outdoor furniture
Surface dirt vs UV damage, and why the baking soda myth fails.
Wine stains on garden cushions
60-second action, follow-up and what to do if dried.
Stains on wooden facade and trellises
Identify and address algae, mold, UV greying, iron oxide.
Laundry and textiles
From sour-smelling towels to wash symbols and hand-washing delicate garments.
Sour-smelling towels: cause and fix
Why towels smell sour even after washing, with chemistry and three fixes.
Hand-washing clothes: when, how, with what
Wool, silk and delicate materials. A complete hand-wash guide.
Wash symbols: complete guide
All wash symbols explained. ISO 3758 in plain language.
Cleaning rugs in snow: how it works
Traditional Swedish rug cleaning method explained.
Cleaning around the home
Oven, washing machine, floors and walls. Natural methods that actually work.
Clean washing machine
Complete guide for natural cleaning and descaling of the washing machine.
Clean the oven with soap
Step-by-step plus chemistry, and what to do about burnt-on grease.
Clean the oven door, including between the glass
Three layers of glass. Natural methods per zone.
Mop floors: guide per floor type
Wood, parquet, tile and vinyl. Each floor type has its method.
Witch soot: what it is and how to remove it
Black soot on walls near heat sources. Causes and removal methods.