how to clean decking

Remove anything that might get in your way or prove hazardous – anything from large patio furniture to potted plants. It will clean the surface more effectively than you might think without damaging the finish. From the warmth of classic timber to the cottagey charm of gravel, there’s a plethora of options to suit every space and lifestyle. Check all over the decking for protruding nails, and nail them back in if you find any. The only way to retain the appeal and integrity of a your decking is to make sure you regularly clean them. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 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. If you don’t clean your decking then it will attract dirt and grime. Use a broomstick, or a small brush, and a dustpan. Avoid using regular chlorine bleach to clean your deck. Feeling unproductive while working from home? A clean, polished deck will look finished if all broken parts are replaced beforehand. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,720 times. In addition, it destroys wood fibers, damaging the wood over time. Here are some tips on how to go about it: Clear your deck before the snow starts. Registration no: 10735156, Evergreen Garden Care (UK) Ltd,  Mold and mildew can sometimes make composite deck boards slippery, so use caution and wear good shoes while cleaning. This article was co-authored by Walter Brant. There... © 2021 Evergreen Garden Care (UK) Ltd. 02:22. 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. 1 October 2020. Start by clearing everything from the surface of your deck. Let the sealant coat dry fully before moving furniture and accessories back onto the deck. … As long as your deck timber isn’t rotten, a pressure washer is the best way to restore your deck to its original look. To avoid damaging your decking, create a gentle cleaning solution with warm water and liquid dish soap. Simply Spray & Walk Away. Despite the wide range of products on the market, one of the best ways to clean your deck is simply with soapy water and a brush the gentle pressurised water. It’s always a good idea to reseal the deck after you give it a deep clean. To clean deck wood, start by combining 1 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of water in a bucket. He works with homeowners to make a wide variety of improvements to make their homes more comfortable and liveable. Approved. You may see it bubble a bit as it tackles the stains. Resort to the same steps of decluttering, sweeping and rinsing your deck, first. Simply use a mix of washing-up liquid in warm water or go for half bleach and half warm water – both mixtures should be enough to deal with algae and mildew. Always wear comfortable, close-toed shoes with pressure washer. Although you can use the pressure washer, you should not do so until you have removed grease marks as well. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. Suitable for a … Brush away dust and leaves, and pay particular attention to any nooks and crannies where debris can collect. Oxygen bleach does very little cleaner to the wood, and it's the main ingredient in most commercial deck cleaners. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. To get into small corners, use a sponge or small brush. Use a solution that dilutes in water, such as Ronseal Decking Cleaner or Liberon Tough Deck Clean and Revive, or a … You can use a metal putty knife to scrape and clean the spaces in between boards. Be sure you have adequate drainage away from your deck before you start to hose. Oils are easy to apply with no special skills required. and are used under licence from OMS Investments, Inc. Roundup® is a registered trademark and used under license. Rubber-soled shoes (especially boots) are ideal. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. Use a pressure washer or garden hose to loosen and rinse away any dirt or grime. There’s no need to pressure wash or scrub beforehand, so it’s the perfect way to revitalise and maintain your deck with minimal effort. One of the quickest ways to refresh your deck is to give it a good clean. Follow the lines as this enables water and suds to get into those grooved areas and come up really clean. Check in-between plank slats for hard-to-reach debris. Once your garden decking is clean, you can apply a clear or coloured decking oil. Use a putty knife or a scraper to clean between the joists. Wood composite decking is usually more susceptible to stains than WPC decking. If any caked on dirt or debris remains, rub the area until the debris begins to lift. Debris holds water, causing the deck to rot faster. To use our High Performance Decking Cleaner dilute one sachet in 2.5 litres of water and spray or pour it on. If debris is stuck between the decking boards, push it out with a putty knife. Make this DIY deck-cleaning solution. This biodegradable, non-acidic, powerful concentrate does not contain bleach yet effectively eradicates moss, mould and algae. 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. Use these tips to turn a scrappy garden into an asset . For more advice from our reviewer, like how to clean decking with a pressure washer, keep reading! Pressure washers throw up a lot of muck, so move any garden furniture or pot plants out of harm’s way. For a faster cleaning option, try using a pressure washer. Add 1 cup of oxygenated bleach to 2 gallons of hot water. {"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":"