Once you’ve addressed the most problematic areas, be sure to spray in between the decking boards to rinse away any remaining twigs, leaves or grass. One of the quickest ways to refresh your deck is to give it a good clean. Finally, let’s explore the most effective and safe approach if you want to restore the shiny clean state of your composite or plastic decking and don’t own high-pressure washing equipment. Never under any circumstances mix bleach with ammonia, as this results in toxic fumes. Otherwise you could get water pooling under your deck, which may cause additional problems. Check in-between plank slats for hard-to-reach debris. How to clean your garden decking Step 1: Clean and prepare the area. Make this DIY deck-cleaning solution. Cleaning Black Mold from Your Deck. Use a putty knife or a scraper to clean between the joists. Luckily, deck maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult. If any caked on dirt or debris remains, rub the area until the debris begins to lift. Remember to wear proper protective gear including rubber gloves, eye protection, and a mask over your nose and mouth while you work with this solution. If there is any spot stain on the decking, it is best to clean it as soon as possible. Once the area is clean, rinse thoroughly with fresh water to remove all residue. … Use these tips to remove mold and mildew stains from your deck boards. https://www.familyhandyman.com/decks/deck-rescue-renew-your-deck/view-all/, http://www.improvementscatalog.com/RoomForImprovements/deck-cleaning-your-spring-cleaning-checklist/, https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/how-clean-deck, http://www.improvenet.com/a/remove-your-deck-mold-in-3-simple-steps, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/homemade-deck-cleaner/, http://www.waterandhealth.org/safely-mix-bleach/, https://www.leaffilter.com/blog/home-exteriors/clean-deck-patio/, https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-clean-and-finish-a-wood-deck/, http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a9413/everything-you-need-to-know-about-pressure-washers-15826265/, https://www.consumerreports.org/pressure-washers/how-to-clean-a-deck-with-a-pressure-wash/, https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/out-of-home/how-to-use-a-pressure-washer, https://www.askmediy.com/how-to-use-a-pressure-washer-to-clean-your-deck/, http://www.decks.com/how-to/14/using-a-pressure-washer-to-clean-a-deck, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to Clean Snow and Ice off Composite Decking Although some homeowners don’t use their decks during the winter months, those who use their decks to access the entrances to their homes will need to keep a walkway clear. Under the deck, check the joists, these are the large boards spaced every 16 in (41 cm) or 24 in (61 cm) which support the deck boards. Pressure washers throw up a lot of muck, so move any garden furniture or pot plants out of harm’s way. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. Be sure to clean out the debris between your deck boards, as well. By using our site, you agree to our. He works with homeowners to make a wide variety of improvements to make their homes more comfortable and liveable. Oxygen bleach does very little cleaner to the wood, and it's the main ingredient in most commercial deck cleaners. DISCLAIMER: If you choose to use a pressure washer, it is important that you understand how to do so properly, as the incorrect technique can actually damage your wood. Brush away dust and leaves, and pay particular attention to any nooks and crannies where debris can collect. How to clean decking is a question you’ll be asking yourself pretty soon and an important part of having a deck is knowing how to care for it. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing off the deck with a hose. Be sure you have adequate drainage away from your deck before you start to hose. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. Leave it to stand for up to 15 minutes to work (or follow instructions on the back of the deck cleaner box). References Start off by clearing everything from the surface of your deck. "Told me exactly what I needed to know. It's amazing what you can do for a few bucks. Remove anything that might get in your way – from large patio furniture to small potted plants and everything in between. This article has been viewed 87,720 times. 02:22. Feeling unproductive while working from home? Use the garden hose to spray in between the decking boards to clean away any remaining debris. If you have spindles, steps, or any fancy woodwork do that too. Just secure the attachment and set the water pressure to a low level – take care here, as using too high a water pressure can damage the wooden surface, and decking wood that is roughened in this way can become brittle or even split. It will clean the surface more effectively than you might think without damaging the finish. This biodegradable, non-acidic, powerful concentrate does not contain bleach yet effectively eradicates moss, mould and algae. There... © 2021 Evergreen Garden Care (UK) Ltd. Although you can use the pressure washer, you should not do so until you have removed grease marks as well. But it is much more simple than you might think and there are in fact a couple of different ways you can do it. How to prepare and clean decking. It’s just a case of making sure the oil is pushed into the wood, not left on the surface. If your home’s deck is in a shady or wet area, you need to know how to tackle mold. If you want to keep your decking in tip-top shape, give it a thorough cleaning at least once per year. You can use a leaf blower or an air compressor to help blow off excess water and speed up drying. To clean decking, start by removing any furniture and sweeping the deck to get rid of dirt and debris. Use these tips to turn a scrappy garden into an asset . Just let the machine scrub the deck while it sprays out water and soap. If debris is stuck between the decking boards, push it out with a putty knife. Then, mix oxygen bleach and warm water in a bucket and use a long-handled scrub brush to apply the solution all over the decking. Use a solution that dilutes in water, such as Ronseal Decking Cleaner or Liberon Tough Deck Clean and Revive, or a … If you choose to scrub the deck clean, choose a deck brush with natural or plastic bristles. Ready To Use Spray. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you want to use it for general cleaning you’ll need to scrub the surface and leave it for 10-15 minutes. ", "Pressure washer tips were easy to understand.". Sweep the deck once more to remove any dirt or dust that may have accumulated while it was drying. Use 4 in (10 cm) galvanized lag bolts. Because decking comes in many different forms you might think cleaning it will be difficult especially if it is an anti-slip deck. How to remove green mold/ algae / mildew from wooden decking. Use a broomstick, or a small brush, and a dustpan. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,720 times. Follow the lines as this enables water and suds to get into those grooved areas and come up really clean. Aim the sprayer directly at heavily soiled spots to remove as much debris as possible. Learn how to clean your deck with this guide from Bunnings Warehouse. Clean decking with soapy water It's also possible to clean decking with a basic soap solution. The cleaning aisles in many grocery stores also sell oxygen bleach. http://www.askmediy.com How to clean your deck with out using a pressure washer. If you hold the nozzle too closely to the deck, you will gouge the wood. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you do routine cleaning on your deck, and repair any broken boards, your deck will be a beautiful, enjoyable, and safe place to hang out for many years. As with so many other cleaning processes, the DIY approach is perfectly possible so long as you familiarise yourself with the process and with the cleaning tools needed prior to getting stuck in. Get expert advice. If any boards are cracked, replace them. Push on the railings to check that they are strongly mounted. United Kingdom. How to clean paving and patios: it’s a dirty job… or is it? Debris holds water, causing the deck to rot faster. Miracle-Gro® and Scotts® are trademarks of OMS Investments, Inc. However, a hand-job and careful eye will ensure a squeaky clean finish. 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. There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. After you've finished cleaning the deck, remove the plastic wrap immediately. Here are some tips on how to go about it: Clear your deck before the snow starts. You can do it with a brush on textured decks, or … Wood composite decking is usually more susceptible to stains than WPC decking. Clean the wood surface in small sections, always keeping the wood wet and allowing the cleaner to soak into the wood before scrubbing. Mold and mildew can sometimes make composite deck boards slippery, so use caution and wear good shoes while cleaning. Check all over the decking for protruding nails, and nail them back in if you find any. 1. Keeping your deck free from leaves and debris does more than just keep it looking great – maintaining a clean, dry surface can actually ensure that your deck boards last longer. Suitable for a … He works with homeowners to make a wide variety of improvements to make their homes more comfortable and liveable. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. To get into small corners, use a sponge or small brush. In addition, it destroys wood fibers, damaging the wood over time. From the warmth of classic timber to the cottagey charm of gravel, there’s a plethora of options to suit every space and lifestyle. Once you get the debris out of the crevices of the decking, you can proceed to sweep across the deck. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1351324-v4-728px-Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"