How to Clean & Stain Wood Decks
Wood decks provide beauty and functionality alike and are great for summer barbecues or parties. Over time, wood decks may begin to warp and become stained with mildew or algae. This is natural and occurs primarily because of the weather elements. Spruce up your wood deck by giving it a thorough cleaning and applying deck stain. You may be surprised at the difference you will see in a freshly cleaned and stained wood deck. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Duct tape
- Painters tape
- Plastic sheets or tarps
- Broom
- Garden hose
- Bucket
- Oxygen bleach
- Water
- Stiff-bristled push broom
- Hand-held cleaning brush
- 4-inch straight-bristle paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Remove all furniture, grills and other items from the deck. Cover any electrical outlets with duct tape and apply painter's tape to the edge of the house that butts up against the deck. Cover plants, shrubs and other items below the deck with plastic sheets or tarps to prevent exposure to cleaning products and stain.
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2
Sweep away any loose dirt and debris from the deck using a broom. Move the broom slowly so that the dirt and dust are actually removed from the deck rather than just scattered around.
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3
Soak the deck with plain water from a garden hose. Saturate any rails and banisters as well.
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4
Mix a solution of oxygen bleach and water into a bucket. The exact bleach-to-water ratio will vary depending on the concentration of sodium percarbonate in the product you are using. Refer to the manufacturer's label for specific mixing instructions.
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Pour the bleach mixture directly onto the floor of the deck. Work in sections so that the cleaning solution will not dry before it has a chance to work.
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Scrub the deck with a stiff-bristled push broom. Push the broom in the direction of the wood's grain while cleaning. Clean rails and banisters with a hand-held brush dipped in the cleaning solution.
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Rinse each section of the deck with plain water from the garden hose immediately following cleaning. Allow the deck to air-dry for at least three days before applying the stain.
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Apply the stain to the wood deck. Dip a 4-inch straight-bristle paintbrush into the bucket of stain and apply a generous amount to no more than four floor boards at a time. Use a smaller paint brush, if necessary, for the railings and banisters.
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Brush the stain onto the deck floor by applying it 6 inches in front of a previously stained area. Bring the brush back over that section, toward the area that was already stained. This will ensure that the stain is well-blended. Avoid stopping in the middle of applying the stain because you will leave lap marks on the deck.
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Allow the stain to air-dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply a second coat of stain if necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a natural-bristle paintbrush for oil-based stains and a nylon-bristle paintbrush for water-based stains.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
