How to Clean a Redwood Deck

Redwood is warm-red in color, which is how it got its name.

Redwood is a durable, warm-red lumber commonly used for decks, outdoor buildings, planters and furniture. Since redwood is used in outdoor projects, it should be sealed or finished to protect it from weather elements. Sealed or finished redwood is easy to care for, maintain and clean. Redwood decks should be cleaned as needed to remove dirt, dust, debris and stains. Although pressure washing is the best method for removing built in dirt and dust, it can also be extremely harmful to redwood if you've never done it before. If the pressure is too high, the finish can be removed, and the wood can splinter.

Things You'll Need

• Pressure washer or hose
• Deck soap or liquid dish washing soap
• Deck mop
• Cleaning brush

Instructions

1. Remove all dirt and dust from the deck. Use a pressure washer no stronger than 1200 psi to spray down the deck. Alternatively, you can use a hose set on the highest setting to spray the deck. Using a hose is recommended if you do not have a pressure washer or have never used a pressure washer.

2. Combine warm water with a deck cleaning soap in a bucket. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of deck soap to add. Alternatively, add 1 tbsp. liquid dishwashing soap per two cups of water in a bucket to clean a redwood deck. Never use products containing bleach or chlorine as this can discolor the wood.

3. Dip a deck mop in the cleaning solution. Mop the solution onto the deck to release dirt. Dip a cleaning brush into the solution and scrub the solution into any stains, mold or mildew.

4. Use a hose or power washer to rinse all soap residue from the deck.

5. Allow the deck to air dry.

References

• Bob Vila: Routine Deck Maintenance
• California Redwood Association: Why Redwood