A properly cleaned deck can help prevent wood rot and extend the life of your stain. Cleaning should be done regularly (at least twice a year) as part of your deck’s maintenance.

Sweep dirt promptly with a broom or cordless blower to minimize the amount of time the cleaner has to work. If you use a pressure washer, be sure to keep the settings low and pre-test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area before spraying your deck.

Remove All Debris

Before you get started cleaning your deck, be sure to clear away any debris that has accumulated. Sweep the area thoroughly with a broom, paying particular attention to corners and joints where dirt tends to collect. You may also wish to cover nearby plants and landscaping with plastic sheeting or tarps to keep the cleaning chemicals and other materials from accidentally damaging your garden. For more information, check out deck cleaning and staining near me.

Next, attach a nozzle to your garden hose and rinse the surface of the deck. This helps to loosen any dirt that was missed in the sweep and prepares the wood for the cleaning solution. You can use a cleaning product made specifically for decks, per The Creative Cottage, or you can simply create a mild detergent solution (such as 1 cup liquid dish soap mixed with water) and apply it to the surface of your deck. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for a few minutes, as this will give it a chance to break down any mold or mildew that has built up on the deck.

Determine the Type of Stain

Before beginning to clean the deck, decide what type of stain is desired. Whether it be a semi-transparent or solid stain, the color of your choice sets the stage for how your home and deck will look together. The wood’s natural hue and grain patterns play an important role in this as well. For example, pine has green undertones that can cancel out or enhance the colors of a stain.

It is important that the deck be thoroughly dry, typically 48 hours, before applying any treatments such as stains or sealants. The best way to test this is by pouring a small amount of water on the surface. If it beads up, the wood is not ready for staining and will need to be stripped.

It is recommended to avoid cleaners containing chlorine bleach, which will cause excessive damage to the treated wood. Chlorine bleach will change the pH of the wood to a basic level and break down the lignin. This can leave the wood with an unnatural whitewashed appearance and corrode metal fasteners and screws.

Apply the Cleaning Solution

A deck is a natural extension of the home, and a well-maintained one makes the whole house look great. A little sweeping or blowing with a cordless broom–daily, ideally–keeps loose dirt and debris from being ground into the surface, decreasing how often you need to clean it.

If you find mildew or other stains are stubborn, mix OxiClean powder in a small container with warm water to make a paste. Apply this to the stain and scrub with a soft-bristle brush before leaving on for 30 minutes; rinse.

To keep the area clean while you’re working, use a garden hose to rinse away any cleaner that hasn’t fully dispersed; be sure to rinse the surrounding house and plants too. You can also spray the entire area with a deck brightener to neutralize and blend color tones. This will give you a clean, ready-to-stain deck. Be sure to follow the directions on the label. Wear rubber gloves for safety.

Rinse

If your deck is only mildly dirty or covered with a light dusting of mold, you can usually skip the cleaner and simply use warm, soapy water (made soapy with dish detergent or laundry detergent) to scrub away the dirt. For more stubborn stains, try oxygen bleach or an OxiClean paste applied with a stiff-bristled brush, followed by rinsing. To keep mildew under control, mix Borax into your homemade cleaner and apply regularly.

If you’re using a chemical deck cleaner, read the label carefully and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Most products will require a bit of patience because they typically must set for a few minutes before you can brush them in.

Work in sections and work quickly to prevent overlapping or lap marks. If you’re using a sprayer, be sure to protect plants and shrubs with plastic drop cloths or spray them directly with a garden hose to dilute any over-spray of the cleaning solution that lands on desirable vegetation.