How to Clean and Stain Redwood

Redwood is commonly used for decks because it is beautiful and relatively maintenance-free. With the right finish, applied in the right amount, a redwood deck can stand to be refinished every other year. Don't let the deck go more than three years before refinishing, or you risk weakening the redwood's natural resistance to decay and insect infestations. You can gauge the state of your deck's finish by sprinkling water on it and seeing how quickly it is absorbed. Quick absorption means it's time for a new finish.

Things You'll Need

• Deck stain remover/cleaner
• Mild detergent
• Water
• Stiff-bristled broom and hand-held brush
• Hose
• Bleach
• Finish
• Polyester-bristled brush

Instructions

Clean Redwood

1. Remove dirt, grime and mildew stains with a mixture of mild detergent and warm water. For serious stains, spot treat the deck with undiluted concentrate of deck stain remover/cleaner and detergent.

2. Hose down the deck to open the wood's pores and loosen the dirt.

3. Pour on the cleaning mixture of your choice and sweep vigorously with a stiff-bristled broom. Work in small areas and rinse before moving to another area.

4. Kill the mildew spores by applying a 10 percent bleach solution. Scrub with a stiff-bristled brush and rinse again with clean water.

5. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to remove nail stains. Avoid nail stains by using stainless steel, aluminum or hot-dipped galvanized steel nails.

6. Let the deck dry completely before applying a new finish. This could take up to three days.

Apply the Finish

1. Apply a new finish on a windless day, with temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees F.

2. Choose a finish that contains mildewcide, is water-repellent and provides ultraviolet protection.

3. Apply finish with a high-quality polyester-bristled brush. A high-quality brush holds more finish, won't release bristles into your finish and should have a contoured wooden handle for comfort.

4. Brush on a generous amount of finish. Apply more finish than it takes to make the deck look good. Applying slightly more than enough stain will allow you to restain every other year.

5. Keep people and pets off the deck for at least two days.

References

• California Redwood Association: Color Restoration of Redwood Siding and Decks
• How To Clean And Stain Redwood Decks by Larry Angell
• Minwax: Wood 101: Wood Finishing