Homemade Deck Cleaner

Step 2: Spray With Soapy Water & Scrub

Store decking on a flat level surface and always use proper supports , Do not store directly on the ground. All food spills should be removed as soon as possible. The surface must be cleaned within seven days to maintain the stain warranty.

Premixed Vs Concentrated Deck Cleaners

ReliaBoard and DockSider are composite products, and cleaning is NOT the same as for capped composite products such as TimberTech PRO and EDGE Collections. In preparation for cleaning you will need water for rinsing , the recommended deck brush with an extension handle, and TimberTech DeckCleaner. TimberTech DeckCleaner™ is formulated, field-tested, and approved for cleaning TimberTech AZEK® Deck or Porch, TimberTech PRO® Deck, TimberTech EDGE® Deck, and TimberTech Composite Rail. It is the best solution for seasonal cleanup, everyday spills, or stubborn spots. On average, one gallon diluted with one part cleaner to three parts water will clean approximately 1,000 square feet of surface area.

Can I Seal Composite Decking?

Sure, various products--tsp/bleach/commercial cleaners--will beat the mold back, but it returns with a vengeance. There are other synthetic products on the market that are less susceptible to discoloration and mold--check them out.

• If your deck is still dirty, hose it down, scrub with a brush and soap, then, rinse with a hose.
• 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 this happens, check with the deck manufacturer to see their approved list of stronger cleaners. When you are finished carefully scrubbing the composite decking, rinse away the remainder of the soap and any leftover dirt. Capped composite decking is usually referred to as simply “composite decking,” and we will be referring to the shortened version throughout this post. Capped composite decking is one of the most popular and most efficient decking available on the market. Once a year, when your deck looks like it requires a good cleaning, whip up a batch of this homemade deck cleaner. Never use this cleaner for routine cleaning as it is on the harsh side, so much it can handle rust stains on concrete. It is vital to remove all oxygen bleach residue from your wood deck, so you may need to rinse several times.

Ways To Damage Your Composite Deck

The posts and other vertical boards will not be made from composite material, but they don't need to be cleaned as often because they don't hold standing water. Address the oily stain as soon as you notice it; the longer it sits on the surface of your deck, the more difficult it will be to remove. Use a soft bristled brush and soapy water to scrub at the stain. If the lines are not overlap marks able to be taken out by washing again, then take pictures and ask the manufacturer before trying too many other things out. The composite decking materials now greatly vary in some areas. If the manufacturer is unhelpful, I would consider experimenting with my heat gun after researching the specific material. You may choose to use a pressure washer to spray the deck clean.

I didn't want to use bleach because I was concerned about the plants around the deck and the harshness of the beach. For the most part we are very happy with our deck -- it is much better than the wood deck we used to have. We had a Trex deck built in Oct. 2006 and it's horrible. I have same problems everyone else seems to have with the spotting. I cleaned it with a bleach solution a couple of years ago and it only slightly lightened the "saddle" color and did nothing to the spots.

Never use a chlorine bleach based deck cleaner, as it is extremely corrosive and will eventually discolor and damage your deck boards. Plus, it is unsafe to use around plants and in areas frequented by children or pets. If a cleaning product contains Sodium Hypochlorite, it contains bleach. Finally, intensely wash the surface of your composite deck to avoid leaving a thin layer of dirty water. Start by adding one part of water and two parts of vinegar in a bucket and mix.

How To Avoid Mold And Mildew Growth

This isn’t more effective than scrubbing by hand, but it’s much faster. If you have a large deck, you may prefer this approach. Use a pressure washer with no greater than 3100 psi and make sure it has a fan attachment and soap dispenser.

If the stains penetrate too deeply, they may be difficult to remove. Allowing metal items such as furniture or planters to remain wet for long periods of time on your deck will cause rust stains to occur. If the stains penetrate the decking too deeply, they may prove nearly impossible to remove. Wash your railing with a solution of warm water and mild non-abrasive detergent and rinse to remove all residues. The railing should be cleaned using a soft cloth or sponge. For more difficult stains, Simple Green, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, mineral spirits, trichloroethylene, CLR or vinegar work well. Wash with warm water and a non-bleach dish soap using a sponge as needed… alcohol wipes for spot cleaning.