By: Gene Rodriguez, III
Knowing how to clean a deck is an important way to protect your investment. Wood decks can provide years of enjoyment, but they do need a bit of maintenance every once in awhile. Luckily, you can clean a deck in less than a weekend!
How To Clean A Deck Simply
- Clear the decks! Before you can clean a deck, you'll need to remove all loose objects from the deck itself. This includes toys, furniture and plants in containers.
- Prep work. Next, sweep the deck to remove any loose debris. You'll also need to remove debris trapped in the gaps between your deck boards. Use a putty knife or other narrow tool to clear out the gaps. Finally, cover any plants or bushes around the perimeter of your deck with plastic tarps to limit exposure to cleaning solutions.
- A high-pressure situation. Using a pressure washer is a popular option to clean a deck. You need to be very careful with these tools, however, as too much pressure can strip the deck finish or damage the wood. For best results, keep the tip of the washer at least one foot away from the surface and try to use a broad wand tip whenever possible.
- The brush off. Another popular deck cleaning option is a scrub brush. If you're going to use a scrub brush, take it easy on your back and get one with a long handled adapter that lets you work upright instead of bent over.
- Optional solutions. While there are several commercial deck cleaning solutions available, you can also get good results from oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach is able to loosen dirt and organic stains without being harmful to your plants or ground water.
- Getting wet. To begin, wet your entire deck thoroughly with a garden hose. Regardless which cleaning solution you use, you don't want it to dry on the surface of the deck. Wetting the deck in advance gives you a longer drying time.
- Cleaning house. After the deck is wet, apply your cleaning solution, following the manufacturer's instructions. Work in small areas, moving systematically from one end of the deck to the other. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes and then scrub or pressure wash the treated area.
- Don't forget to rinse. After you've cleaned each area, rinse the deck completely to remove any trace of the cleaning solution. Allow the deck to dry completely before replacing furniture other items on the deck surface.
