In our helpful tutorial, you’ll find out how to clean decking both with and without a power washer, with guidelines for cleaning plastic, composite, and wood decks.
Any garden would benefit from having decks as a location for entertaining, but maintaining it will be necessary if you want to use it all year. Thankfully, by following the detailed methods in this tutorial, you can significantly improve the way your deck looks. Continue reading for advice on how to properly clean decks, including how to deal with slippery decks, algae, and deck grooves. Even more methods will be covered, such as pressure washing, vinegar, brooms, bleach, and dish soap.
Pressure Washers
Using a pressure washer is one of the greatest ways to achieve outstanding results for your decking. These devices produce powerful water streams that blast away dirt and filth. The methods for washing decking with and without a pressure washer are contrasted below:
What to do when pressure washing your decking
Although expensive, pressure washing is absolutely worth the money. However, you run the danger of harming your decks if you don’t know how to operate the machine properly. Use the following procedures for correctly pressure washing your decking:
- Before beginning, pick the proper tip and pressure. Be cautious to read the manufacturer’s recommendations, but generally speaking, a softwood deck can handle pressures of up to 500 psi.
- To make sure you don’t harm the boards, begin by testing your pressure washer on a concealed section of decking.
- To get rid of any leaves and other debris, sweep the decking.
- After that, you can begin pressure washing.
- Sweep the decking with the pressure washer tip while keeping it about two feet away.
- Make sure to overlap the portions as you pull the washer away from your house to avoid missing any patches.
- Finally, to enhance the finish of your decking, you might want to employ a cleaner or chemical brightener.
In order to achieve the best results, we advise hiring a professional deck cleaning if you don’t want to spend the money on a pressure washer or you’re concerned about damaging your decking.
How to Clean Decking Without Pressure Washing
You could opt to maintain your deck without a pressure washer to save money. Although it will take longer, this procedure can still produce a quality result. Additionally, it works fantastically on decks with mildew stains. Just adhere to the guidelines below:
- To clear any of the dirt and leaves, sweep your deck.
- Combine warm water, dish soap, and bleach.
- After that, you may apply the mixture to your decking and give it up to 15 minutes to work.
- Sweep any spots using a broom with a firm bristle.
- Finish by giving your decking a thorough rinse to get rid of any remaining dish soap and bleach.
Cleaning Decking Naturally
You might prefer not to use potent chemicals in your garden if you have kids or pets. Looking for a natural way to clean decking? Actually, it’s very easy! Just combine a gallon of water and a cup of vinegar. Then, before rinsing, sprinkle baking soda on your decking and use a firm brush to scrub water and vinegar into the wood.
Cleaning Slippery Decking
The last thing you need is a broken arm after a bad fall because of slick decks. Fortunately, keeping your decking clean will stop it from becoming slippery. Avoid letting wet leaves or algae accumulate on your deck because this is the main reason it is slippery. Simply sweep your slippery decking with a stiff broom on a regular basis to keep it clean. This is especially crucial following bad weather or a storm. Anti-slip treatments can also be used to prevent your decks from ever becoming slippery.
Cleaning Composite Dating
Are you in the UK and asking how to wash composite decking?
- Soil and leaves. Sweep the dirt and debris off of your deck, then scrub it with dish hot water and soap.
- Ice. To split up the ice, try using a shovel made of plastic. Rock salt can also be used to thaw any ice.
- Mould. Use a soft-bristled brush and a solution of warm water and dish soap to scrub your decks.
Cleaning Wooden Decking
Your outside area feels natural and tranquil thanks to wooden decking. But it won’t appear nearly as stunning if you don’t know how to properly clean hardwood decking. You might also be interested in learning how to clean balcony decking if you live in an apartment or flat. Fortunately, the cleaning process is the same for all types of hardwood decking. Simply follow the steps below:
- Clear your decking of any plants and furniture, then sweep up any loose debris.
- To remove extra dirt from your decking, rinse it with your garden hose.
- Next, combine water and white vinegar in a bucket.
- Brush a broom over your decks after dipping it into the liquid.
- Scrub the entire surface while attempting to move with the grain of the decking wood, occasionally dipping your brush into the solution.
- The decking should then be rinsed once more with your hose.
Cleaning Plastic Decking
If the decking planks are plastic, you must take extra care when cleaning them to prevent damage. Follow these guidelines to safely clean plastic decking:
- Before cleaning, sweep the decking with a brush.
- The use of bleach is not advised since it can harm plastic decking. Instead, choose ammonia, dish soap, or white vinegar.
- Scrub the deck with one of the cleaners mentioned above using a brush with synthetic bristles.
- Finish off by giving the decking a water rinse.
Cleaning Decking Grooves
You need to learn how to clean the decking grooves in addition to scrubbing the decking’s boards when cleaning them. The best way to accomplish this is to brush any dirt out of the crevices using the bristles on your broom or brush.
Cleaning Decking Before Staining
The beauty of the boards can be enhanced by staining the decking, which can make it seem excellent all year long. However, you must thoroughly clean your decking before staining it. By skipping this step, you risk leaving dirt and debris caught in the stain, which will produce messy effects. To prevent any problems, properly sweep, rinse, and dry your decking first.
Cleaning Decking Algae
Algae can harm the boards and make a slipping hazard in addition to destroying the beauty of your decking. Maintaining the finest appearance and safety for walking on your decking requires understanding how to remove algae off decking. Remember that cleaning and rinsing your sundeck frequently is the best method to prevent algae. The top treatments for algae are listed below, should you have any:
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- White vinegar.
- Algae removal cleaners.
Protecting Your Decking
You must keep up with cleaning and maintaining your decking if you want it to perform to its full capacity. Decking maintenance is not too difficult to learn. Ensure that you are:
- Sweeping your deck frequently, particularly during the time when trees are losing their leaves.
- Cleaning the boards of any filth as necessary.
- Applying the tips from the earlier sections of this guide to properly scrub your decking.
You have a few alternatives for weather protection if your decking is suitably tidy and clean. This should be done on a dry day because rain could cause problems. Your decking can be stained, treated, or painted. After pressure washing your decking it is important that you reapply weather protection as this cleaning method will remove any protection you have prevoiously added.
If you would like any information about our pressure washing service then please get in touch with Vision Exterior Cleaning
