How to Get Rid of Black Marks on Tiger Wood Decking

Tiger wood decking is a durable hardwood that is resistant to insects that damage other types of decks. But a tiger wood deck, like any other deck, can become dirty and even moldy over time. Whether black marks are caused by dirt or mold, cleaning the wood with oxygen bleach can remove the blemishes without harming your landscaping. Regular chlorine bleach kills grass and may harm the wood. With the right cleaning products and tools, you can remove all black marks from your tiger wood decking.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• 1 cup oxygen bleach
• Tarps
• Scrub brush
• Rags
• Brush or pump sprayer
• Water sealant

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with cool water. Add 1 cup of oxygen bleach to the water. Stir the water to disburse the bleach evenly. To additionally protect nearby plants, cover them with light tarps.

2. Wet a stiff scrub brush with the bleach water. Scrub the black marks on the tiger wood deck with the bleach. Allow the bleach to remain on the deck for 15 minutes. Dispose of the bleach solution down a sink with hot running water or in a gravel driveway, away from children and pets.

3. Fill the bucket with clean water. Moisten a clean rag with the water. Wipe the rag over the areas cleaned with bleach. Rinse the rag in the bucket of water as you continue to remove the bleach from the deck. Allow the deck to air dry, or dry with clean rags.

4. Brush or spray a water sealant over the areas cleaned with the bleach. Saturate the wood with the sealant. Wait 24 hours to walk on the areas with sealant.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use chlorine bleach to clean your wood deck; use oxygen bleach only.

• Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin against the drying affects of bleach.

References

• Ask the Builder: How to Clean a Deck
• Outdoor Living Inc.: Tropical Hardwoods