The Best Deck Cleaner For Every Deck Material

In some cases, additional scrubbing with a deck brush may be required to remove stubborn stains. The reason for this is that Chlorine Bleach does not remove or kill the roots of the fungus, but actually waters them. It will make the problem worse and harder to remove the next time the composite surface becomes unsightly. Composite decking has become an extremely popular material for outdoor decks.

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.

Composite decks on the other hand, offer a lower level of all-around maintenance – they won’t splinter and you don’t need to worry about periodic staining, painting or sealing projects. Often, the only maintenance composite decking requires is an occasional power washing. Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Cleaner is ideal for both manual and pressure washing to lift and remove dirt and debris from the deck surface. The fast-acting foaming formula eliminates stains from mold and mildew, tree sap, pollen, oxidation, weathering and other grime. It utilizes the power of peroxide to provide high-performance cleaning without toxic or abrasive chemicals. Decks created from earlier-generation Trex products should not be pressure washed, because doing so may damage the decking materials. Instead, clean with warm, soapy water as noted above.

Cleaning Composite And Wood Decking

Leaf Stain Removal - Popular Mechanics

How to Clean Wood Deck

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

If you spill food, grease or oil on your deck, immediately clean the area with hot water. Any remaining stains should be cleaned with Pour-N-Restore, a commercial cleaner. To clean a composite deck, sweep it with a broom or leaf blower at least once a week to get rid of dirt and debris. If your deck is still dirty, hose it down, scrub with a brush and soap, then, rinse with a hose. For a faster cleaning option, try using a pressure washer.

Pressure Washing Your Composite Decking

Although the surface looks solid, composite decking is actually quite porous. Therefore, it needs an oxygenated cleaner that can reach deep into the material and clean insidethe deck as well as the surface. When purchasing a cleaner, always check the label and NEVER use a Chlorine Bleach based “deck cleaner”. If the active ingredients read – Sodium Hypochlorite, it contains Bleach. Chlorine Bleach is extremely corrosive and will “eat” any material it’s applied to.

Contact Newtechwood To Learn More About Our Composite Deck Materials

• See the links on the Corte Clean web site to OSHA, the EPA and Spore-Tech before using chlorine bleach on a POROUS surface like Trex composite decking.
• For early-generation composite products (Trex Accents®, Trex Origins®, Trex Contours®, Trex Profiles® or Trex Brasilia®), we recommend a semi-annual cleaning with a composite deck cleaner.
• To maintain the beauty of your Trex® deck, a little care and cleaning goes a long way.
• All exterior building materials require cleaning and a Trex deck is no different.
• If your deck is one of the high-performance product lines from Trex (Trex Transcend®, Trex Enhance® or Trex Select®), soap-and-water cleaning or a gentle pressure washing will do the trick.

Eventually, it will discolor your deck, damage the surface and exacerbate any mold/mildew issues that can occur. Avoid this costly mistake and choose a non-toxic, sodium percarbonate based cleaner. Apply your composite deck cleaner.Your deck cleaner will come with detailed, specific instructions that you should follow carefully. Keeping the pressure washer under 800 psi, wash off the cleaner by going along the grain. Maintain a distance of at least 8 to 10 inches from the surface of your deck, and make sure to keep your spray moving.

How To Treat Stains On Your Outdoor Deck

Beware of any “waterproofing” deck sealants or chemicals that “encapsulate” the deck. These products can trap moisture insidethe deck causing more issues in the long run. Choosing the right cleaner can literally make or break your deck.

Earth 911.

Posted: Tue, 05 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMT image source [source]