Pressure Washing . Clear – Remove all items from the deck, including furniture. Pressure washing will easily power away all the mold spores along with any debris/dirt that hides on your deck. In the winter, sweep snow off your deck to keep the surface as dry as possible. But if you had timber decking installed a decade ago, chances are it’s now looking tired, dirty and algae-stained. Too intense of pressure can damage your deck, though, so keep the setting under 1500 pounds per square inch. To do this, you can either use a deck cleaner or bleach, cut in half with warm water, and a scrub brush. However, there are ways to pull the oil back out of the wood. And make sure to check that the weather forecast is good! This will open up the wood pores and make it easier to get rid of the dirt. Cleaning Solutions that Remove Algae When it comes to removing algae from your wooden deck, you have quite a few options. DON’T clean the deck with chlorine bleach.. Algae will grow almost anywhere if the conditions are right, and your deck is no exception. In this 2-part series, I show how I stripped, cleaned, repaired, stained and sealed our old deck from start to finish for cheap! A power washer can make a weathered deck look like new as it blasts away grime and discoloration. Step 9: Jazz up 1. Make any deck repairs beforehand. I want to clean our hardwood deck. One of my tasks for my June Household Organization Diet was to clean our wood deck. To clean your timber deck, you don’t necessarily have to spend lots of money on special deck cleaning detergents. These simple tips will help you clean your wood deck as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible. If a redwood deck gets a fair amount of sun, it should be cleaned and resealed at least every second year. Saturate the surface and scrub the deck with a stiff-bristled brush or sponge until the cleaning solution starts to lather. 3. The deck brightener will restore the wood to its natural pH and neutralize the sodium percarbonate cleaner. Now clean your deck with a timber prep product to remove any dirt, grease, oil, wax and other surface contaminants. Wood decks are a nice feature for the back yard but they do require a bit of TLC to keep them looking as good as possible. Although we think of wood as being hard, and some types are even referred to as hardwoods, it is actually very porous and can absorb oils or other liquids that touch it. Push on the railings to check that they are strongly mounted. Algae grow on lawn furniture during damp weather, creating a green slimy film (see References 3). An algae stain on wood will be greenish brown in appearance and slippery to the touch. How to Use Vinegar for Cleaning Algae From Garden Furniture. In many cases, an outdoor broom will work just fine, but the important thing is to make sure it has hard bristles that will really work the dirt and grime out of your wood deck. 2. A wood deck requires maintenance just like any deck surface. Previous Step Next Step. Before power washing, perform the steps above to inspect and clean your deck. However, other types of wood may allow for more usage of cleaning / polishing products. Mix the deck clean with water. It’s been a long couple of years since we have done this so it was definitely in need of some serious TLC. To clean your deck this way, mix the solution according to the directions and then use a deck brush to scrub, going along the grain of the wood. Fastest & Easiest Way to Clean a Wood Deck. 2. Discover what it takes to maintain your wood garden furniture through the years, allowing it to keep its strength and natural beauty. A little oil is good to help polish the surface of wood, but a large spill will soak in and leave a stain. Dirt collects, mold spores … For safety reasons, wear closed shoes, safety glasses and earmuffs. For wood and hardwood garden furniture, it's a combination of keeping it under cover, cleaning it, and conditioning it so that the wood stays healthy and retains its beautiful warmth. Let mixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes (or follow the instructions on the deck cleaner label). ... our new set of patio pallet furniture or put in a new deck, ... truly effective, natural wood polish and preservers. Can anyone tell me a cheap alternative to get algae etc off it (which makes it very slippery). To clean mold from a finish that you don't want to damage, the best tools are a bucket containing a mixture of 1/3 cup laundry detergent per gallon of water, and a scrub brush. Hany Hint: For a new deck, make sure your deck has been weathered for a season before applying any stain. Fireplace Clean Up; Long-Handled Brush. Sweep – Use a broom to push leaves, pine needles, clumps of dirt, grass and dust off the deck. They can be expensive to build and replace, so it's smart to want to extend their lifespan as long as possible. Clear and sweep it first. Before applying your DIY deck cleaner, soak the deck with the hose. If you’re cleaning an older deck, make sure the high pressure cleaner doesn’t split or crack the wood. How to clean a deck. A clean, polished deck will look finished if all broken parts are replaced beforehand. If the mold has stained the wood, a deck cleaner containing oxygen bleach can help to remove the stains. Regardless of the type of deck cleaner you choose to use, you'll want a long-handled brush to scrub down your deck. 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. Spread the oxygen bleach solution on the deck with the scrub brush. A deck can add beauty and value to any outdoor living space, but cleaning a wood deck isn't high on anyone's "how to spend a leisurely afternoon" list. Even with the best care, your deck … Depending on the size of your deck, you will likely need to complete this project over a few days. For Part 2 of the series, click here. Lower pressure is better. Green stains on a deck usually indicate that the wood has fallen prey to algae. It’s best to use a fanning nozzle, which will safely and effectively clean the algae and moss from your deck without damaging the wood or removing paint or stain. You paid a lot of money for that deck, so why not keep it looking healthy and new for as long as you own your home! Usually, this type of cleaner is used as a supplement to oxygen bleach cleaners if tannin staining is a problem. While most decks have enough space between planks to allow for excess water to drain, your planks may be sealed or some may be uneven. Expert advice on how to clean, restore, refinish and maintain a wood deck, including protecting against wood rot, how to acid wash a deck, and apply a finish to decking. I like a clear, natural finish. A sealer will help preserve the wood to keep it in condition, clean and looking good as new. There’s nothing like giving your deck a thorough clean to bring it back to life and with the right tools and equipment, it’s a pretty simple job. Here’s What You Need to Be Eating for Naturally Clear Skin. I also use it to clean out any debris that may have gathered in the cracks between the boards. This will provide for a beautiful finish when applying the final stain. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. Follow this easy how to clean decking guide, including how to refinish and preparing the surface. Wooden decking needs regular care to keep it looking good. A: You’re right at the outside edge there. Be on especial lookout for safety threats, like rusty screws or bolts, uneven board edges, splintering, and protruding screws, nails, or bolts. If you don’t have a high pressure cleaner, a hose will do. The wood is highly durable in outdoor conditions and typically requires nothing more than an occasional cleaning when residue accumulates. You can purchase a good quality sealer from your local hardware store, along with a hardy brush to apply it. A deck is the perfect place to entertain family and friends, so it’s important to make sure it’s always looking great. Step 3. I wondered if there was a cheap way of doing it as the proprietory brands seem expensive. Before we get into the best way to clean each type of wood finish, check out these standard tips for general care of wooden furniture: Dust in the direction of the grain. Oxygen bleach should not be confused with chlorine bleach which should never be used to clean a wood deck. The active ingredient in most of these cleaners is sodium percarbonate, and it has plenty of other household applications - including in Napisan. Unless, of course, you don’t mind stripping the wood of its natural color and damaging its cellular structure. Lastly, rinse with clean water and leave the deck … Hopefully, if you’re ever unfortunate enough to encounter mildew on your wood decking, that will be the worst of things and you’ll still have time to react and save the deck from mold and rot. How to Clean and Brighten a Wood Deck . Here are a… Since most wooden decks are made from treated woods, and the deck is exposed to the sun and rain; it must be looked after in order to ensure a long life span. A wood deck takes a lot of abuse due to its constant exposure to the elements. Check your deck for insecure bannisters or split boards. In fact, it’s not uncommon for mold on a wood patio or deck to be accompanied by even bigger problems like graying, splintering, cracked boards, and in extreme cases, instances of wood rot. When we bought our house in the Spring of 2016, the stain on the deck was already flaking off and I knew I would have to refinish it at some point. Continue to step-by-step instructions Given here are some tips on how to remove and prevent mold and mildew from your wooden deck. After sweeping your deck and clearing the cracks, it is important to clean the wood. Again, read the instructions on the product you decide to use. Once your timber deck is clean and has dried off completely, you may want to apply a sealer. 1. Moisten – Spray your deck to get it moist, but don’t allow the water to puddle on the wood. ... Tannins are naturally occurring, water-soluble resins of a reddish-brown color found in wood such as redwood, cedar, and oak. Either of these methods will work wonders on algae and mildew. For example, with unsealed wooden furniture, you should clean with damp-dust method only. Allow deck to dry completely before you move onto staining. A new wood deck provides a warm, handsome connection with the outdoors, adding to a home’s beauty and setting the stage for a world of outdoor activities. Oxalic Acid. You can use the same detergent recipe described above, but may want to tweak proportions to ⅓ cup of powdered laundry detergent (ammonia-free), 1-quart of bleach and 3 gallons of water, depending on your washer’s capacity.