How to Clean Wood Decking

Breathe some new life into your wood deck with a good cleaning.

Because they are constantly exposed to the elements and get a lot of foot traffic, wood decks can get dingy and stained over time. If you live in a moist climate that gets a lot of precipitation, there is also a good chance you have mold growing on your deck. Regular deck cleaning and maintenance can extended your deck's life.

Things You'll Need

• Push broom
• Putty knife
• Hose with spray attachment
• Bucket
• Oxygen bleach
• Nylon scrub brush

Instructions

1. Sweep the deck clean of all debris and dirt. Use a putty knife to dislodge any debris between the planks as you sweep.

2. Spray the deck down with water. This will remove any loose dust and debris remaining.

3. Mix oxygen bleach with water in the bucket. Follow the manufacturer's directions for the proper amount.

4. Dip the push broom in the bucket and scrub the oxygen bleach into the wood surface. Start at the far corner of the deck and work your way toward the stairs. For dirt and mildew that don't come up with the broom, dip a nylon scrub brush into the oxygen bleach solution and scrub it by hand.

5. Rinse the deck with water from the hose, using the spray attachment to completely remove the cleaning solution.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute a commercial wood deck cleaner for the oxygen bleach.

• You can use a power washer to clean your deck, but use caution because the force of the water can damage the wood.

References

• This Old House: How to Clean and Restain a Deck
• Ask the Builder: How to Clean a Deck