It's also ess… Do not put furniture back on your deck until it has dried completely. Thanks. 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. To clean a deck with bleach, start by spraying the deck with a hose to loosen any caked-on dirt or debris. Avoid using regular chlorine bleach to clean your deck. Slippery decking is common in winter when debris or algae can collect, we recommend you keep your deck clean, use algae killer, or consider non-slip coating. Research source. "It warned about chlorine bleach. Luckily, you can use powdered oxygen bleach to scrub down and clean your deck without damaging the deck's wood or any surrounding plantlife. It’s that time of the year again! How can I clean off the winter accumulation of slippery slime and algae that makes my deck or dock dangerous to walk on, and how to do it in a way that minimizes negative impacts on the environment? To clean decking, start by removing any furniture and sweeping the deck to get rid of dirt and debris. Click to see full answer. The cleaning aisles in many grocery stores also sell oxygen bleach. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. By using our site, you agree to our. Oxygen bleach does very little cleaner to the wood, and it's the main ingredient in most commercial deck cleaners. If you want to control mold and mildew, you have to clean the deck periodically. If any repairs need to be made, do that now, as well. Keeping your deck as clear as possible can also help you visually identify areas that might be slippery for you to avoid and/or treat. Synthetic deck brushes can be purchased at most hardware stores and are designed specifically to wash a deck. There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. You’ll want to seal the deck after cleaning in order to protect the wood from further damage. If you don’t have a high pressure cleaner, a hose will do. But if you had timber decking installed a decade ago, chances are it’s now looking tired, dirty and algae-stained. You can use a metal putty knife to scrape and clean the spaces in between boards. But decking is slippery even if it isn't green with algae, ... rinse.if tree,s are shading the deck you might want to consider cutting one or two down. One pack is enough to clean a deck of around 24 square metres. A high pressure cleaner will wash away any remaining dirt. Walter Brant. One question we often get asked at Amateur Gardening is how to revive sorry-looking decking without the use of algae-killing chemicals – or taking up and replacing decking boards. The Solution for Slippery Decking. Very clear directions, thanks.". ", "Pressure washer tips were easy to understand.". Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,733 times. Be sure to clean out the debris between your deck boards, as well. Clean the decking boards systematically, starting on an inside corner of the deck and working your way out. Narrow nozzles can cut into the flooring. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. Frequently sweeping your deck is one of the best ways to prevent mold growth. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Finally, rinse off the deck with a hose to remove all of the bleach residue. If the pressure is too high on your hose, it can create discoloration on the surface of your deck. Borax can typically be found in the laundry detergent aisle of the grocery store and is a mineral compound that won't destroy your nearby plants. If you’re cleaning an older deck, make sure the high pressure cleaner doesn’t split or crack the wood. Scrub the deck boards with a deck scrub brush attached to a wood handle or with a stiff broom. % of people told us that this article helped them. This article was co-authored by Walter Brant. It will lighten the wood, making it look cleaner, but it won't actually remove much dirt. Cleaning regularly your deck is the key to avoid making it slippery, as leaves and debris not only hold moisture but can also hinder drainage through the gaps between the boards. Always wear comfortable, close-toed shoes with pressure washer. This Ronseal decking cleaner really does bring decking up like new. Also, coat the deck periodically with a wood deck sealer, but be sure to clean it first. Mix the solution in a bucket, and apply it with a mop or a pump sprayer. In order to deep clean your decking, you should ideally remove all furnishings and plant pots so you can brush the whole surface with a stiff broom to get rid of surface dirt. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Remember to wear water-proof gloves, boots, and possibly rain pants when working with bleach. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. So, let’s get started: 1. Contrary to popular belief, chlorine bleach is not a great cleaner for a wood deck. However, certain products may cause harm to your composite deck. If any boards are cracked, replace them. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. Before you do any DIY on your decking, you need to clean it first. Leave it to stand for up to 15 minutes to work (or follow instructions on the back of the deck cleaner box). This keeps any cracks and … Handyman. After the deck is dry, apply a deck sealer or waterproofing wood finish to waterproof the wood. Mop the deck and let the solution sit for about 10 minutes. To learn how to remove mildew and stains on a deck using bleach, scroll down! Once you've prepared the bleach solution, scrub the deck with it using a brush or sponge and let it sit for 5 minutes. Anti Slip for Decking – Upkeep and Maintenance You want the areas of your deck that get particularly heavy foot traffic to stay anti-slip. Part 1 Alternatively, mix a commercial deck cleaning product. Never under any circumstances mix bleach with ammonia, as this results in toxic fumes. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. Locate the source of the mold and pay particular attention to that area during treatment to more permanently remove mold. Rubber-soled shoes (especially boots) are ideal. 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. On the other hand, when it comes to the best way to clean composite decking, the answer looks quite different from cleaning methods for natural decking. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. To help ensure that moisture can find its way off of a composite deck, homeowners should be diligent about clearing the deck of any loose debris, such as leaves, pine needles and twigs, during fall. 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