7 Smart Ways To Use Baking Soda On Your Deck And Patio

If the mold caused stains, use oxygen bleach to treat the stains. If you use oxygen bleach, follow up with a deck brightener solution as this returns the pH levels of the wood to a stable level. Trex Decks can last a lifetime and will maintain their quality but sometimes they show their age. One of the best ways to care for your deck is to clean it regularly - don’t let it get past the point of no return.

Clean the entire deck with a deck wash containing detergent and sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach. This deck wash will lighten the wood on the surface of Trex in addition to removing the mold. To minimize lightening of darker Trex colors,dilute deck wash with 50% water. Like baking soda and vinegar, borate is an all-purpose natural cleaner that is versatile around the house and yard.

The label should specify the cleaner is safe for painted surfaces. The product may also contain surfactants to help stave off staining. Most painted deck cleaning products come premixed and should be sprayed or squirted on, mopped lightly to clean away dirt and grime, and then wiped dry with clean, soft rags. Composite decking is manufactured from wood byproducts and plastic, and it comes with an impermeable surface, designed to resist rotting and decay. Wood deck cleaners may be too harsh for composite decks, especially if they contain brightening ingredients, which can strip the sheen off decking, leaving a dull, unattractive look. A deck cleaner made specifically for composite lumber may contain surfactants, ingredients that leave a thin protective layer on the surface to help repel staining.

Cleaning Composite And Wood Decking

Removing Mold, Tree Sap And Mildew Stains On Composite Deck Railings

Choosing the correct cleaner can literally make or break your deck. When buying a cleaning product, always check the label and never use anything labeled as a Chlorine Bleach based “deck cleaner”. If the active ingredients include Sodium Hypochlorite, it contains Bleach. Chlorine bleach is very corrosive and will eat into any material it’s applied to. Eventually, it will lead to discoloration of your deck, damage the surface , and can exacerbate any mold/mildew issues that may occur. Avoid this costly mistake by choosing a non-toxic, sodium percarbonate based cleaner.

Pressure Washing Your Composite Decking

Hose your deck off thoroughly with a water hose fitted with a good variable fan spray nozzle to loosen and remove surface debris. Use a soft bristled brush and the cleaning solution to scrub your deck clean. Make sure to get down in the crevices and corners thoroughly. Then I'd clean it with a brush, water, and granulated automatic dish washing detergent and then with standard/housecleaning version of the Krud Kutter product. Although composite decking can be “less maintenance” than other types of decking, this certainly doesn’t mean “maintenance free”.

• Choosing the correct cleaner can literally make or break your deck.
• Once mold has stained has occurred, it can be extremely hard to remove.
• If you have to pressure wash your composite deck, remember to keep it at the lowest pressure possible and no closer than eight inches from the deck surface.
• In most cases, a garden hose is sufficient for regular cleaning.
• When buying a cleaning product, always check the label and never use anything labeled as a Chlorine Bleach based “deck cleaner”.

Just let the machine scrub the deck while it sprays out water and soap. Then, use its water function to wash away the soap and fan function to dry the deck.

I let it dry and sometimes have to repeat; then I rinse thoroughly. All I can say is that I have not found any commercial solution that will remove mildew from Trex in my Southern highlands/high humidity climate. I have used Corte Clean Environmentally Friendly Composite Deck Cleaner on my Trex wood plastic deck. It removed most common house hold staining issues including ground in dirt, mold, mildew, grease, barbecue stains, etc.

Are Pressure Washers Safe For Composite Deck Railings?

It is best if you can allow your deck to dry for hours before staining and sealing. Additionally, there are a number of safe, homemade cleaning solutions you can use on your deck, regardless of whether you have a natural wood or composite deck. These ingredients can be purchased from your local hardware or general store. Washing your deck consists of scrubbing it with a deck cleaning solution and a stiff bristle brush. You will need a bucket, cleaner, garden hose with a water nozzle or power washer, and a brush with an extension pole – unless you want to be scrubbing on your hands and knees. For natural wood lovers, properly cleaning a wood deck requires annual care.

How To Clean Cedar Homes And Remove Stains From Moss, Algae & Mold

To clean a dirty deck or to make a homemade wood siding cleaner, mix the oxygen bleach with the required amount of water and apply it to the wood with a long-handled nylon brush. Clean the wood surface in small sections, always keeping the wood wet and allowing the cleaner to soak into the wood before scrubbing. Once the area is clean, rinse thoroughly with fresh water to remove all residue. Note that while Star Brite is manufactured as a deck cleaning product for boats, it’s gentle formulation makes it a great choice for residential decks as well. The premixed liquid can be applied to a wet deck either with a pump sprayer or a soft deck brush. Even after you rinse it away, the cleaner leaves a microscopic layer of polymer protection to help repel stains and spills in the future.