The Best Deck Cleaner For Every Deck Material

For larger surfaces, work in small sections to ensure the area stays wet the entire time. Even if you don’t have a power washer, you can still use power washer soap for cleaning. Instead of loading the cleaner into the sprayer, you can apply it with a sponge or mop. Before you can stain a deck, you need to prep and sand the surface. Sweep and wash the deck’s surface to remove all dirt, wood fibers, grease, mold, and mildew. If the surface is dirty, the stain or sealant will not stick. This condition can be decreased greatly with the use of a product call ACL Staticide®.

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.

The capping material on these products is not composed of a wood plastic composite. Power washing your deck can be a big mistake and is not usually recommended for cleaning composite decks. Wet-and-Forget Moss, Mold, and Mildew Cleaner comes in a liquid concentrate for mixing with water, and it can be applied with a pump sprayer, a deck brush, or a hose-end dispenser. Simply saturate the wood decking evenly and let it dry on its own—no scrubbing or even mopping required. Mildewcide in the solution works to kill and remove any existing mold, while also helping to prevent future mold, moss, and mildew growth. For composite decking, don’t use a wood deck cleaner—rather, choose one specialized for composite lumber.

Cleaning Composite And Wood Decking

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

Composite deck cleaners are typically sprayed on, brushed with a soft deck brush, and then rinsed off with a garden hose. The previous posts about it and oxalic acid are accurate. You will create a worse problem than you had and possibly ruin your expensive deck. There are also treatments to help protect the deck from mold and other stains (dont use a coating/paint or you will be in for a lot of work every couple years). We love a product called resist mist for composite decks (). Works for several years and recommended by some big deck manufacturers. I hate to be a naysayer, but I have found nothing that satisfactorily removes mildew stains from Trex (and I've tried four different commercial cleaning products).

Pressure Washing Your Composite Decking

Pressure washers are ideal for removing dirt and dust from decks but shouldn’t be used to remove stains. In order to best maintain the beauty of your composite deck, it’s important to perform a semi-annual cleaning. Decking materials are extremely susceptible to mold, mildew, stains, and general weathering. It’s important to know how to clean your deck in a way that will not damage or ruin your composite deck. This guide will teach you how to protect your investment by cleaning your deck materials in an efficient and easy manner. Oxygen bleach or powdered oxygen laundry cleaner is safe for use on wood decks and useful in removing mold or spores.

• 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.
• 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.

It also does not hurt pets if accidentally ingested. To remove snow and ice from your composite deck, you do want to make sure you use tools and products that won’t damage the deck surface. To clean oil and grease off composite decking, use the soap-and-water method. If done quickly, this removes the oil and grease without leaving a stain.

If your composite deck needs mold or mildew stains removed, you can mix a solution of two parts vinegar and one part water to apply directly to the problem area. Pre-rinsing your deck allows the cleaner to work better and helps soften up the fibers. Dip a soft-bristle brush into the bucket of cleaner and scrub your deck to remove any grime, dirt, and other debris.

At the first sign of mold or mildew (grayish-white powdery-looking splotches) look for a cleaner containing mildewcide . Leaving the solution on the wood allows ample time to kill the fungi and then seep into the deck’s surface to reduce the chance of mold or mildew growing again in the future. Mold spreads easily and may return in some environments despite proper cleaning and preventative measures. Mold does not damage Trex and will cause no structured harm if allowed to propagate. In some cases it will require several treatments with the deck wash to completely remove all mold colonies. Even if the spots are no longer visible,there may still be mold spores on the surface that could regrow.

How To Clean Cedar Homes And Remove Stains From Moss, Algae & Mold

It’s important that you use a brush with soft bristles in order to not damage the boards’ finish or color. If stains are still apparent, let your deck dry and then consider applying a stain stipper. Stain strippers are tougher than soap and can remove almost any stain, especially tree sap stains. Stain strippers require a firmer bristle brush or broom in order to truly remove the stains. For how to clean composite decking DIY, start by spraying the deck off with a hose and water to remove any surface debris.