Swedish Cloth Products

Swedish Cloth is used extensively by beekeepers in the USA to keep their beehives healthy.

It is an excellent matrix for absorbing Oxalic Acid / Glycerine solution.

The Beequip Swedish Cloth is a high-quality product made in Germany, consisting of 70% cellulose, 30% cotton, and is 100% biodegradable.

Now available in two options: Standard & Organic*

*Organic Option: If you are operating under an organic certification program, please confirm acceptability with your certifier

Click Here to see our Biodegradable Report.

Click Here to see our Material Test Report.

The BQ Swedish Cloth does not contain colouring additives, flame retardant chemicals, or plastic membranes as found in other cleaning cloth products.

The cloth is pre-cut into strips suitable for beehives. Each dry cloth strip measures 195mm x 43mm x 2mm and weighs approximately 2.4 grams.

A dry strip will soak up 25 grams of OA / Glycerine solution, swelling to approximately 195mm x 47mm x 4mm.

Click here to see the recommended bins for commercial beekeepers to soak strips.

Click here for the video on how to soak the strips in commercial applications.

Click here to purchase a full setup kit for hobbyists.

Hobbyist Refill & Standard Refill kits are available.

Important: Research from clients in the USA states that four strips are more effective than using a single pad with the same surface area. Having 260% more edge line significantly improves efficacy.

Packed 4000 per carton, 80,000 per pallet.

Directions:

Prepare a solution comprising 50% Oxalic Acid Dihydrate and 50% food-grade glycerine by weight. See detailed instructions and videos in the mixing guide. Beequip Cardboard strips are soaked in a solution of 40% Oxalic Acid, whereas Swedish Cloth strips use a 50% solution. Note that a 50% OA/Glycerine solution takes slightly longer to dissolve and mix properly.

While the solution is around 54–58°C, soak each strip with approximately 25 grams of solution. Place the strips on their edges in a flat-bottomed soak bin, ideally in a warm place (20–30°C). Strips absorb the solution fully within 60 minutes. Allow the bin to stay in a warm place for 24 hours to equalise the solution distribution. When cooled to room temperature, the solution will solidify within each strip.

The strips can then be used immediately or packed into airtight ziplock bags for long-term storage.

A typical strong colony with two brood boxes should have four strips placed horizontally between the brood boxes, leaving spaces between the strips.

Scrape off burr comb first.

The four strips work more effectively than using a single larger pad.

Click here to view our full instruction guide.

Single vs Double Brood Box Use

Reports from the USA indicate that this system is extremely effective when placed horizontally between the brood boxes in double brood box hives. However, there were questions about efficacy when used over single brood box colonies.

In New Zealand trials during the 2024–25 summer, the cloth strips  showed very good efficacy in single brood hives with the following method: -

• Laying strips horizontally over the brood box.

• Using a rimmed queen excluder to maintain bee space.

• Stacking honey supers above.
  

Strong colonies maintained strip temperatures above 32°C, keeping the glycerine liquid, and the oxalic acid active. With heavy bee traffic, oxalic acid was effectively spread throughout the brood nest. (We were concerned in NZ that the strips could get cold. No OAE (oxalic acid extended-release) strips work very well if they get below 30°C. They need to be at brood temperature or close to it). 

Important Tip for Double Brood Box use

When the soaked strips are placed between two brood boxes, it is very important that all the burr comb is removed so that there is a bee space above the strips. If this is not done, the burr comb can squash a lot of solution out of the strips and prevent the bees from walking on them and transferring the solution around the hive. The strips will be rendered largely ineffective.

A Sustainable Summer Treatment

The evidence is clear: Swedish Cloth strips are a reliable option for summer oxalic acid treatments, provided colonies are strong enough to maintain warmth and distribute the treatment.

Some of the advantages:-

• Low cost and very easy to apply
• 10 – 12 weeks of good efficacy
• Does not cover brood on the frames, causing death like most other strips.
• All natural product.
• Can be used during the honey flow.
• The bees will discard most of the strip outside the hive if they are left in place for a long enough period.

Winter Use?

Early results also suggest potential for winter use, though more research is needed. A field trial done from Jan 2025 to late Aug 2025 in the nelson region showed very good results.

Conclusion. If there is a bee space above the strips, and enough bees in the hive to keep them at the right temperature and to give good foot travel on them, then they will work very well anytime.

At Beequip, we’re excited to support beekeepers with innovative, sustainable solutions like Swedish Cloth strips—helping hives thrive, naturally.

Easily restock your Swedish cloth supplies with this convenient Swedish Cloth Refill Kit. Designed for beekeepers who already have the tools, this refill pack includes the key components you need to keep your hives in top shape.

Remember to mix your solution 50/50 for these strips

Click here for more info on the Swedish Cloths

Click here to view our instruction guide.

What’s Included in the Refill Kit?

• 100 Swedish Cloths: Ready for soaking and use in your hives.
• 1.25kg Oxalic Acid (OA): Pure and effective.
• 1.25kg Glycerine: High-quality glycerine for optimal absorption.
• 4 Zip-lock Bags: For easy storage of the soaked strips
  

Why Choose This Refill Kit?

• Quick & Easy Restocking: Ideal for hobbyist beekeepers with an existing setup.
• Cost-Effective: Only the essentials—no extra tools or packaging.
• Hive Maintenance Made Simple: Keep your treatments going without interruption.

Keep your beehive care routine smooth and efficient with this refill kit. Pair it with your existing setup for continuous results!

Get started with ease and precision! This DIY Swedish Cloth Kit includes everything you need to make your own Swedish cloths for use in your beehives. Perfect for hobbyist beekeepers, this kit comes with all the components and tools to simplify the process and ensure success.

Whether you're maintaining healthy hives or exploring innovative methods for pest control, this kit offers convenience and value, just like our popular Hobbyist Kit for Oxalic Acid (OA) treatments.

Click here for more info on the Swedish Cloths

Click here to view our instruction guide.

What’s Included in the Kit?

• Small Soak Tub: Perfect for preparing your Swedish cloths.
• 4-Litre Plastic Pail with Lid: For mixing and storage.
• 1.25kg Glycerine: High-quality glycerine for optimal absorption.
• 1.25kg Oxalic Acid (OA): Pure oxalic acid for effective results.
• 100 x Swedish Cloths: Ready to soak and use.
• 4 Ziplock Bags: Ideal for storing your prepared cloths.
• Digital Thermometer: Ensures precise temperature control during preparation.
• Wooden Trivet & Stirrer: Keep everything steady and well-mixed.
• Instruction Booklet: Easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to ensure success.

Why Choose This Kit?

• All-in-One Solution: Save time gathering components; everything you need is included.
• Hobbyist-Friendly: Designed for small-scale beekeepers looking for cost-effective and reliable hive management solutions.
• Simple Instructions: Clear guidance to help you create Swedish cloths like a pro.

Click here to view the full instructions online and start your journey toward better beehive care today!

Stay prepared with the Swedish Cloth Standard Kit, ideal for large-scale beekeepers or those looking for long-term hive maintenance solutions. This bulk kit includes everything you need to make thousands of Swedish cloths, ensuring your hives remain healthy and productive.

Remember to mix your solution 50/50 for these strips

Click here for more info on the Swedish Cloths

Click here to view our instruction guide.

What’s Included in the Standard Kit?

• 4000 Swedish Cloths: Ready for soaking and use in your hives.
• 50kg Oxalic Acid (OA): High-purity oxalic acid for effective treatments.
• 50kg Glycerine: Premium glycerine for optimal absorption.

Why Choose the Standard Kit?

• Bulk Supply: Perfect for commercial or large-scale beekeeping operations.
• Cost-Effective Solution: Buy in bulk and save.
• Reliable Hive Maintenance: Ensure continuous care for your hives.

This comprehensive kit is designed for serious beekeepers who want a ready supply of Swedish cloths to support their hive management needs.

NOTE: this may exceed our websites shipping capability. Please request a quote and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Oxalic Acid Dihydrate Crystals. 99.5% 

Oxalic Acid is used by many different industries for many different applications.

• Beekeepers.
• Exterior timber deep cleaning and preparation.
• Commercial laundries. Rust and mineral deposit remover on fabric.
• Building and construction cleaning. Mineral staining, grout, mortar, bricks, tiles, pavers.
• Professional carpet cleaning. Rust and mineral stain removal.
• Rust, scale and watermark removal from baths, basins and other washroom surfaces.
• Hardwood stain removal on concrete and carpet
• Waterlines and deposits on boat hulls and marine applications

Many beekeepers use Oxalic Acid with our Vaporizers

We also sell Glycerine and cardboard or paper strips

500g pottles, 2kg pottles or 25kg Bags

Ensure to reading safety instructions before opening container.

Click here to view our mixing guide for oxalic acid and glycerine

Check out our packages here, with everything you need to get started including Oxalic Acid

Top quality glycerine. 

Derived from palm, this product conforms to USP43, which means it is suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Check out our packages here, with everything you need to get started using Oxalic acid and Glycerine in your hives.

Soak 100 of the Beequip Swedish Cloth Strips at a time with this container.
Sealed and durable with handles, this is the perfect size to soak 100 of the Swedish Cloth strips. It is not recommended to use soak bins any larger because it is very hard to get a consistent weight per strip.

Click here to view the Swedish Cloth

Stack bins of freshly soaked batches together to conserve heat and facilitate a better soaking process. If possible, leave the bins in a warm room at around 30°C (86°F) for first 2 hours after soaking, or leave a fan heater blowing warm air on them for a few hours.

Outer dimensions including the lid latches:- 309mm x 240mm x 69mm high. (12.16" x 9.45" x 2.7" high)

Watch the video below on a suggested method of using these containers. 2.5kg of 1:1 hot solution is added to 100 cloth strips.

Note: Cloth not included with the container.