How To Clean A Composite Or Wood Deck

Over time, you will likely start to notice some on your deck. Make sure the surface is completely dry and then apply a deck brightener product that contains oxalic acid on the surface of your deck. Remove stubborn dirt with mild soap and a soft bristled brush. Hose your deck off thoroughly with a water hose fitted with a good variable fan spray nozzle to loosen and remove surface debris. Use a soft bristled brush and the cleaning solution to scrub your deck clean.

As with any walking surface, TimberTech Deck or Porch products may become slippery in freezing weather. For ice removal, most products containing calcium chloride can be used without damage to the deck or porch surface. These products may leave a white residue which can be cleaned using the cleaning guidelines in the previous pages. Like any other wood-based product, TimberTech’s wood-polymer composite products may experience a naturally occurring process called Extractive Bleeding/Tannins. This process may cause temporary discoloration that will weather away with exposure to flushing rainfall and UV. In most cases, the weathering process takes 8-10 weeks but could vary depending on location and specific product application such as a covered porch.

Cleaning Composite Decking Of Common Stains & Problems

Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your natural wood deck when mixed with a little warm water. Simply mix 1 gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of ammonia-free dish soap (such as Murphy’s), 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and 1 quart of oxygen bleach. Be very careful so that you use only ammonia free dish soap. Otherwise, if ammonia is mixed with bleach, it can create toxic fumes. Once you’ve blended your mixture, swab it on your deck and rinse it clean with water. You'll get common surface dirt no matter what sort of decking you choose to install. Others may recommend doing the same, albeit with a purpose-designed composite deck cleaning agent.

Timbertech Azek, Timbertech Pro, Timbertech Edge Cleaning Tips

The first product we bought will not work because our deck does not absorb water when sprayed. Fred, that’s odd, composite decks shouldn’t have this issue. Maybe try using our Composite Deck Cleaner and see if that takes it off. If you have a pressure washer, maybe give it a light rinsing after allowing the cleaner to set for minutes. Kathy, most of the issues with mold growth were on older Trex decks built in the early 2000s.

How To Clean Mold And Mildew From Composite Decking

For natural wood lovers, properly cleaning a wood deck requires annual care. If this doesn't work, you may need to try a commercial composite deck cleaning agent. Some manufacturers may require you to use a particular product in a particular way to protect both the look of the deck, and your warranty. For spot stains that result from something that's been allowed to sit on the deck for a while, first try to remove it with soapy water and a brush. If this doesn’t work, the stain has probably set itself quite well into the pores of the decking. If it's a stain caused by a greasy substance, a degreasing agent may help.

Refinish Your Deck In A Weekend

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After giving the cleaner enough time to soak in, rinse the deck thoroughly to avoid streaks or a sticky film. Use either your garden hose or your pressure washer without any cleaning fluid in it. To avoid damaging your decking, create a gentle cleaning solution with warm water and liquid dish soap. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. In this instance, rinse the coating immediately after using the cleaning product. Don’t rely on semi-annual cleanings to remove grease stains from your Trex decking.

All cleaning products should sit on the deck to soak in, but the length of time varies depending on which cleaner you're using. Carefully read all instructions and allow the cleaner to rest for the instructed time. Removing all surface dirt and debris ensures that all the cleaning fluid makes direct contact with the deck. Sweep the deck once more to remove any dirt or dust that may have accumulated while it was drying.

How To Clean And Restore A Composite Deck

Since there are many different types of composite decking materials, we recommend reading the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations before following ours. In some cases, they may have certain requirements. If your deck isn’t too dirty, soap and water will do.

In addition to simply being easier to work with, there are two main advantages in selecting a water-based product. Additionally, the alkyd resins in solvent-based products will serve as a food source for mold, mildew, and algae (what you’re trying to eliminate). Some water-based products utilize synthetic resins; these offer no food value for future mildew growth. Lastly, selecting a product with zinc nano-particles is especially beneficial. Zinc is a natural combatant to mold growth and will have a profound effect on delaying the re-growth of mildew. Consider using DEFY Composite Deck Sealer – Crystal Clear; it has all of the above characteristics. Follow these simple steps to clean mold on composite decking (cleaning Trex®).

Now, it’s time to clean the surface of the deck with a soft broom because you need to only remove the dust and leaves from it. After removing all the debris, check the joint and corners of the deck and find any damage or any broken thing. If you find it, then cover it because it is possible that the chemical or watermark inside and damage it from inside as well. The power washer is suggesting cleaning the surface, but it also depends on the type of material used on the deck. So, if you don’t know what to do, the better option is to check the cleaning instruction of the deck according to the material. You can Google it or call the installer company for assistance.

• Instead, I recommend using DEFY Composite Deck Cleaner.
• This cleaner is specifically formulated for cleaning composite decking, including Trex.
• Because your deck is exposed to the elements every day, routine cleaning is needed to keep it looking great.
• It will kill the mildew spores, but doesn’t necessarily remove them from the surface of the wood.
• Composite decking has become an extremely popular material for outdoor decks.

Remember - composite materials clean easier and better than the traditional wood deck, and using the soap-and-water method in chapter 1 removes most of the dirt and stains. 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. Capped composite decking is made of a precise blend of vinyl and wood and then surrounded with a vinyl coating or cap. It is engineered to repel dirt, be easy to clean, require little maintenance, and highly customizable in its designs and colors. Compared to wooden decking, which requires extensive care and maintenance to stay clean and to look sharp, capped composite decking requires little maintenance or cleaning.