Table of Contents
To avoid damaging your decking, create a gentle cleaning solution with warm water and liquid dish soap. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. Saturate the surface and scrub the deck with a stiff-bristled brush or sponge until the cleaning solution starts to lather.
What is the best homemade deck cleaner?
Add 2 cups of the bleach to two gallons of water. Pour in 1/4 cup of dish detergent and mix well until it suds. Use a broom or another large brush and cover entire deck. Scrub where there is stubborn dirt and grime and then rinse off.Once a Year Cleaning Water. Powdered oxygen bleach. Liquid Dish Detergent.
How do I naturally clean my wood deck?
To clean your deck, combine 1 cup vinegar with 1-gallon water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed wood and use the vinegar and warm water to scrub over all the boards. Borate is also a natural cleaner and versatile for indoor or outdoor cleaning. Use a ratio of one cup of Borax to one gallon of water.
Is it bad to pressure wash a wood deck?
Wood decks are especially vulnerable to power washing, because the pressure exerted by the power washer can lead to splintering. It’s also a bad idea to use a power washer on a composite deck because the power washer can actually take chips out of the composite material.
How do you clean a wooden deck without a pressure washer?
Mix half a cup of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda in a gallon of water. Rinse off the wood deck with a hose and a light spray nozzle, as this will soften the wooden deck fibres to help absorb your deck cleaner. Evenly cover the decking with your cleaning mixture.
Can I use Dawn to clean my deck?
Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water. Once you’ve blended your mixture, swab it on your deck and rinse it clean with water. Oxygen bleach or powdered oxygen laundry cleaner is safe for use on wood decks and useful in removing mold or spores.
What is the best product to clean a wood deck?
BEST OVERALL: STAR BRITE Non-Skid Deck Cleaner & Protectant. ECO PICK: Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner. BEST FOR MOLD AND MILDEW: Wet & Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain Remover. BEST FOR OIL AND GREASE: Oil Eater Original Cleaner/Degreaser. BEST ALGAE CONTROL: CITRA-SHIELD EXTERIOR ALGAE CONTROL SYSTEMS.
Can you clean decking with washing up liquid?
To avoid damaging the deck, create a delicate cleaning solution made up of warm water and washing up liquid. Let the solution stand for 5-10 minutes, or according to the instructions on the deck cleaner if using. Lastly, rinse the area with clean water and leave the wood to dry.
How do I get green algae off my wood deck?
White distilled vinegar: White vinegar is a popular natural cleaner that can be used both inside and outside. Simply combine one gallon of water with one cup of white vinegar and scrub the deck with the solution to remove algae, mold, and mildew.
Should I jet wash my decking?
Typically, we’ll only recommend pressure washing your deck as a last resort – once all other options have been exhausted. The reason is pressure washing a deck may damage it. If you pressure wash and then put a sealant on before the wood is dried it can seal in moisture which will lead to rot and other problems.
Is it better to sand or power wash a deck?
Splintered, cracking, or just plain rough wood should be sanded first, then pressure washed to open the wood’s pores and allow penetration of the stain. Deeply grooved wood that has mold, moss and other growing things filling the cracks will need treatment with a deck and siding cleaner.
Do you have to stain a deck after power washing?
As a general rule, you should wait at least 24 hours to stain a deck after power washing. You want the deck to be completely dry before you put any sort or coating on top. Waiting 24 hours makes sure that your deck is completely dry, but really, once it’s dry, you’re ready to stain.
Will bleach damage wood deck?
Cleaners containing Chlorine Bleach are commonly used to clean decks but they are not recommended for cleaning treated wood. Excessive use of chlorine bleach containing cleaners (sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite) can damage treated wood leaving it with an unnatural whitewashed appearance.
How do I clean my deck without chemicals?
Cleaning Your Deck Without Using Chemicals Vinegar as a Deck Cleaner. White vinegar has degreasing power as well as anti-mold and mildew properties. Baking Soda as a Deck Cleaner. Combine 1 gallon water with 1 cup baking soda. Oxygen Bleach as a Deck Cleaner. Pressure Washer as a Deck Cleaner.
Can I use OxiClean on my wood deck?
OxiClean is safe to use on decks. When cleaning your outdoor deck, the oxygen bleach is a much better alternative than chlorine bleach as it cleans any deck surface without causing discoloration or damage to plants, shrubs, soil and similar surroundings.
Why does my deck look dirty?
Letting leaves and dirt sit on your deck for long periods of time can lead to discolouration and encourage mould and rotting of timber decks. Use a soft-bristled brush or broom, and a deck wash or cleaning solution to scrub your deck’s surface – it’s important to choose one that’s appropriate for your deck.
Can vinegar damage wood?
hardwood floors, wood furniture, and other word surfaces – due to its acidic nature, vinegar can damage hardwood floor finishes, causing them to look dingy. Use either a cleaner specifically made for hardwood floors or a mix of soap and water. Tips to protect hardwood floors from water damage are available here.
