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STEP 2: Prepare The Deck Cleaning Solution Put two gallons of warm water into a plastic tub, big enough for the head of a deck brush to fit in. Put 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach (e.g., OxiClean, sold in the laundry detergent aisle at the grocery store), which is gentler than liquid chlorine bleach, to the bucket.
What can I use to clean my deck before staining?
Deck cleaners, such as the Wood Deck Cleaner and Brightener by DeckWise or the TimberTech Deck Cleaner, will lift and remove any stuck-on grime from your wood deck boards. These deck cleaning solutions will soak down into the dry wood.
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.
What household items can you use to clean decking?
Expert Trick: Make your own cleaner by mixing 2-3 gallons of warm water, 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach (which is different from normal chlorine bleach), and 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid. Spread this across your deck, let it sit for about 30 minutes, and then rinse the solution off with a water hose.
Can I use bleach to clean deck before staining?
Unfortunately, decks are often susceptible to dirt and algae because they’re outside. Contrary to popular belief, chlorine bleach is not a great cleaner for a wood deck. Luckily, you can use powdered oxygen bleach to scrub down and clean your deck without damaging the deck’s wood or any surrounding plantlife.
Do I need to clean my deck before staining?
Before you apply stain, make sure the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, wood fibers or grease), dry and free from mildew. When a surface is not clean, stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling. 1. Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris.
Do you have to power wash a deck before staining?
Power washing a deck is a quick and efficient way to get it ready for painting or staining, but it isn’t a necessary prerequisite. In fact, in some situations, it isn’t even a good idea, because power washing can chip and gouge wood.
Can you use Dawn dish soap to clean your 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.
Can I clean my deck with vinegar?
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.
What is the best cleaner for wood decks?
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 use baking soda to clean a deck?
Baking soda: Mix a gallon of water and a cup of baking soda, stirring up the solution until the baking soda is completely dissolved. You can then use a scrub brush or broom brush to thoroughly scrub the deck with the mixture before you rinse it clean with water. Yes, you can use Oxyclean® on your deck.
How do you clean a deck without a power washer?
The recipe is pretty straightforward: Add half a cup of baking soda to one gallon of water; Mix in 1/8 of dish-washing detergent; Spray on your concrete deck and allow it to sit for half an hour; Scrub thoroughly and rinse with a hose. Apply a coat of concrete sealer to protect your deck from future stains.
What is the best way to clean a wooden deck?
Cleaning Your Deck After sweeping your deck and clearing the cracks, it is important to clean the wood. To do this, you can either use a deck cleaner or bleach, cut in half with warm water, and a scrub brush. Either of these methods will work wonders on algae and mildew.
Is bleach bad for wood decks?
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.
Can bleach be used to clean a wood deck?
Bleach will not remove some of the dirt and grime that may be present in the wood. Bleach is not a great wood cleaner, it can damage the wood fibers, and can be unsafe to handle. Stick with cleaners that are designed for wood cleaning and prepping wood decks for stain.
How long should I wait to stain my deck after cleaning it?
As a general rule, 48 hours is sufficient drying time for a newly washed deck. But this also assumes optimal drying conditions, such as a sun-facing deck. If you are on the shadow side of the home where little to no sunlight reaches, wait at least 72 hours before applying any stain or sealer.
How long do you have to wait to stain a deck after power washing?
After a deck has been power washed it will have some retained moisture within the wood. It’s important to let the wood dry thoroughly so none of the water that soaked into the wood gets trapped under the stain. In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining.
Should you power wash wood deck?
A pressure washer can clean a wood deck much faster than you can scrub it by hand. That is a terrific advantage. However, a pressure washer will frequently destroy the surface of the wood. Those that are not eroded can be dislodged, leaving the wood fuzzy or rough after it dries.
