A little elbow grease is needed to make outdoor area ready to receive you and your guests. A place for enjoyment and relaxation like the one you’ve always dreamed about? Sounds good, right? So, if you are wondering if you can learn how to clean composite decking in a way that will produce these results – whether with a pressure washer, a homemade deck cleaner, or a store-bought deck cleaner, the answer is – YES!
Get Your Wooden Decking Look Its Best
You can swiftly turn your outdoor area into a welcoming space with a wooden decking that looks as fresh as if it was just installed. To learn how to clean wood decking properly, you should first learn how to prepare the decking for cleaning. The way you will approach the task would depend on whether you have a composite decking or a wooden decking in your garden. The preparation involves inspecting the decking boards for any damage or stains. The material used to build it will determine the right approach to cleaning to ensure the deck’s surface is clean and free of debris.
Set Up the Stage
Start the cleaning process by gathering all garden furniture that currently occupies the decking and removing it from it. Get rid of all items on the decking and sweep any loose debris using a regular broom. These should include leaves and dirt. A stiff-bristled brush can come in handy if you need to loosen up some more stubborn patches of grime on the deck boards. Getting this preparatory step right the first time is crucial to making it easier to clean decking surfaces properly.
Determine the Cleaning Method
Depending on your skills, experience, the type of dirt to remove to have clean wooden decking, and of course the material of the decking, cleaning decking will determine the method to use. There are generally three methods to choose from:
- A Decker cleaner – homemade or commercial
- Pressure Washer
- Using Professional services
Using pressure washers is one of the effective methods for cleaning garden decking. Proper maintenance, including thorough cleaning and pressure washing, is crucial to prevent mold and maintain the appearance of outdoor wooden surfaces.
Method #1: Using a Pressure Washer
High quality deck cleaner can help you remove stubborn dirt and stains from any timber deck or wooden decking. Deck cleaning products, including various cleaning solutions, are readily available in supermarkets. Regular maintenance is crucial for a timber deck to ensure its longevity and aesthetic appeal. However, if you insist on getting everything done the DIY method, you can easily concoct a homemade deck cleaner using three ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Warm water
- Dish Soap
Just mix the dish soap with warm water in a large bucket. Then generously apply the cleaning solution to the deck. Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the deck surface, board by board, until you cover the whole area of your deck. Sprinkle baking soda on the areas where grime is particularly nasty to remove any unpleasant odor.
Once you are done, you can rinse the area with a pressure washer or a regular garden hose.
Oxygen bleach or white vinegar, mixed with hot water, is another popular solution for fixing stubborn stains. All you need to do is dissolve the white vinegar or oxygen bleach in warm water, apply the solution with a brush on the stains, and scrub and rinse with the hose after a quarter of an hour.
Method #2: Applying a Cleaning Solution
Power washing with a pressure washer is a must-have tool for long-term deck cleaning and maintenance. You need to be rather careful, however, because wrong use can result in damage to your wood decks. Make sure to keep the fan tip on the lowest setting when using a pressure washer. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for further tweaks on the settings of the particular device. In any case, you will need to make sure that washer is filled with clean water and the spray nozzle is attached correctly. To evenly pressure wash the decking, use sweeping motions and keep an even distance between the nozzle and the deck surface.
Tips to Keep your Decking Clean Longer
When using a cleaning solution, you should make sure that all traces of it are removed from the deck’s surface once you are done cleaning and scrubbing. To do that, the good old garden hose will help you rinse. If you choose to use your new pressure washer, don’t forget to switch it on the lowest setting. Before putting the furniture back on the decking, let it dry out completely. That’s paramount to avoid damage to the decking surface, and the main reason you should attempt any deck cleaning when the weather is good.
To further enhance the deck cleaning experience, you can add UV protection to the timber decking material. That’s done using a decking oil that prevents future damage. An ordinary roller or brush is all you need to evenly apply the decking oil. As with washing, wait for the wood to try completely before applying the second coat or start using the outdoor area.
Method #3: Treating with Decking Oil
If you aren’t confident in your abilities, or don’t have the time to take care of your wooden decking, just opt for professional cleaning services that use a decking cleaner. Licensed technicians will do the best job at keeping your deck surface properly clean and dirt-free. They will remove any stain, and even help you treat your decking for winter weather, and give you tips on how to keep it clean and protected in the summer.
