How To Clean A Composite Or Wood Deck

Step 2: Spray With Soapy Water & Scrub

Was wondering if a Kilz coat would cover the spots and then it could be painted or stained. I installed a trex deck last year and had the black spots appear within a couple of months. So I went out and bought the corte clean that trex recommends but decided to do a precleaning with some Simple Green Heavy Duty I had laying around. Even with a very diluted mixture the deck came out like new with light scrubing. I will be returning the expensive Corte Clean because I dont believe that it could get much cleaner. Just an FYI though, my deck is less than a year old so Im not sure how well this stuff will work on a deck that has gone longer without cleaning. Just thought Id share my experience with all the other frustrated owners of trex out there.

Premixed Vs Concentrated Deck Cleaners

If the ingredients include Sodium Hypochlorite, it contains Bleach. Make sure you choose a non-toxic, sodium percarbonate based cleaner. Use a broom to remove snow from your composite decking. Just like remembering your gaps and proper cleaners, the same advice applies here.

Can I Seal Composite Decking?

"Pressure washing is also a good idea from time to time to remove built-up dirt and debris. If you choose to scrub the deck clean, choose a deck brush with natural or plastic bristles.

• We try not to play favorites with our products but there’s no denying that Spray & Clean is one of our stars.
• This can be done by diluting 4 parts water with 1-part Spray & Clean and spraying your deck every 60 days or so during the season.
• You can also spray an hour or two before an oncoming rain storm which is a perfect way to rinse your deck naturally.
• We’re going to start with this product which you can buy at WashSafe.com.

Next, pour the solution on mold which is found on the surface of the composite deck. After scrubbing the surface of your composite deck for some time, rinse your deck using clean water. This step is very important because if the dirty water used in scrubbing is left to dry, a thin film may form on the surface of the deck. Vinegar – This is safe for both wood and composite decks. Just mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to a gallon of water and ¼ cup of baking soda. Warm water – This can be used alone to clean and wash a composite deck. Don’t rely on semi-annual cleanings to remove grease stains from your Trex decking.

However, TSP is not considered an especially environmental choice and has all kinds of precautions on the back of its box. But if the deck has not been cleaned in a long time and algae is visible, it may have to occasionally be used, with care and caution.

I didn't want to use bleach because I was concerned about the plants around the deck and the harshness of the beach. For the most part we are very happy with our deck -- it is much better than the wood deck we used to have. We had a Trex deck built in Oct. 2006 and it's horrible. I have same problems everyone else seems to have with the spotting. I cleaned it with a bleach solution a couple of years ago and it only slightly lightened the "saddle" color and did nothing to the spots.

Wet wood is more likely to gouge, and placing heavy objects on wet wood increases the risk of mold. Take care of getting rid of moss or moldy spots by first mixing the oxygen bleach and hot water inside a large bucket.

How To Avoid Mold And Mildew Growth

You may need to wait a few days for the deck to completely dry depending on weather conditions. Cover plants, grass, concrete, trim, and any other areas you don’t want stained. Chlorine Bleach is extremely corrosive and will eat away at your deck eventually causing discoloration of your decking, damage the surface, and intensify any mold issues that can occur.

How To Clean A Roof Safely, Effectively And Without Bleach

We recommend using the Quickie® Bulldozer Deck Scrub Brush or a medium stiffness nylon bristle deck brush. These can be found at most large retail home centers or online. Do not use a stiff, natural fiber deck brush on TimberTech Decking as they can dull the surface. Utilizing the recommended products in this guide is important to make care and cleaning easier and to ensure the use of products that have been tested to be compatible with your new deck. Always read and follow the product manufacturer’s specific instructions before using any product on your TimberTech deck. Although TimberTech products are low-maintenance, we recommend periodic cleaning to help maintain the beauty of the product.