How To Clean Composite Deck

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.

When the water dries, deposits are left behind, leaving unsightly spots on surfaces. This is not a defect of Trex products but an issue with the water itself. Generally these deposits can be cleaned with white vinegar on decking surfaces or use of Magic Eraser® on railing surfaces.

It’s crucial to make sure that you rinse the deck thoroughly; if any dirty water is left on the surface it will dry and create a film on the composite deck boards. Pressure washers are safe for composite deck boards as long as the pressure is no greater than 3100 psi and features a fan attachment and soap dispenser.

Cleaning Composite And Wood Decking

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

Rinsing is required so care should be taken to not use hard water for this purpose, and if it must be used, dry with a cloth or use a blower to dry surfaces. Even small amounts of oxygen bleach can leave discolored spots on your composite deck; avoid using bleach products and try a different stain remover or make your own. Spraying your deck with soap, followed by gently scrubbing each individual deck board is the best way to make your composite deck shine. However, if your deck boards are still dull, try using Resist Mist. This product not only rids your boards of mold, tree sap, mildew, and grease/food stains, but it also leaves the deck shining and looking brighter. Resist Mist also has the ability to prevent mold, mildew and algae from growing again. Mold and mildew can grow on nearly any building material.

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”.

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• All-purpose wood deck cleaners contain detergents to dissolve surface dirt, spills, and grime.
• Rusty streaks can also appear around screw heads or along the wood’s grain.
• They’re available pre-mixed or in concentrated crystal or liquid form .
• These cleaners are usually sprayed on, worked into the grain with a deck brush for even coverage, and then rinsed off with a garden hose.
• Even if they’ve been sealed, wood decks, especially cedar and redwood, eventually begin to dull and take on a weathered, gray appearance.

Simply scrub the solution into the decking one section at a time and rinse. The best part of composites is that, with the exception of food stains, you only have to clean your deck for aesthetic reasons. For wood decks, not cleaning often enough can lead to more costly maintenance. All you need to make your natural composite deck cleaner is some soap, water, vinegar, and baking soda and a soft bristle brush to remove dirt, debris, and other grime.

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.

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.

Sure, you could raze the deck completely, getting rid of all of that moldy, mildewed wood, recycling it and making it someone else's problem, and then start all over again by building a new one. But that's not always possible, nor is it the best or most feasible choice. If this is the year you’re going to restore and refinish your deck, then the first step you’re going to need to take is cleaning it. As many people are becoming more environmentally conscious with their shopping habits, you may wish to avoid some of the more common chemical-based deck cleaners.