7 Smart Ways To Use Baking Soda On Your Deck And Patio

Compared to wooden decking, which requires extensive care and maintenance to stay clean and to look sharp, capped composite decking requires little maintenance or cleaning. Rinse with a high-pressure nozzle until the water coming from the deck runs clear to ensure a film doesn’t remain.

This should be enough to remove any dirt without damaging the composite decking. If scrubbing by hand with a scrub brush, create a cleaner using 1/3 cup of laundry detergent and one gallon of water.

Composite decks on the other hand, offer a lower level of all-around maintenance – they won’t splinter and you don’t need to worry about periodic staining, painting or sealing projects. Often, the only maintenance composite decking requires is an occasional power washing. Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Cleaner is ideal for both manual and pressure washing to lift and remove dirt and debris from the deck surface. The fast-acting foaming formula eliminates stains from mold and mildew, tree sap, pollen, oxidation, weathering and other grime. It utilizes the power of peroxide to provide high-performance cleaning without toxic or abrasive chemicals. Decks created from earlier-generation Trex products should not be pressure washed, because doing so may damage the decking materials. Instead, clean with warm, soapy water as noted above.

Cleaning Composite And Wood Decking

Removing Mold, Tree Sap And Mildew Stains On Composite Deck Railings

If you spill food, grease or oil on your deck, immediately clean the area with hot water. Any remaining stains should be cleaned with Pour-N-Restore, a commercial cleaner. To clean a composite deck, sweep it with a broom or leaf blower at least once a week to get rid of dirt and debris. If your deck is still dirty, hose it down, scrub with a brush and soap, then, rinse with a hose. For a faster cleaning option, try using a pressure washer.

Pressure Washing Your Composite Decking

Pressure washers are ideal for removing dirt and dust from decks but shouldn’t be used to remove stains. In order to best maintain the beauty of your composite deck, it’s important to perform a semi-annual cleaning. Decking materials are extremely susceptible to mold, mildew, stains, and general weathering. It’s important to know how to clean your deck in a way that will not damage or ruin your composite deck. This guide will teach you how to protect your investment by cleaning your deck materials in an efficient and easy manner. Oxygen bleach or powdered oxygen laundry cleaner is safe for use on wood decks and useful in removing mold or spores.

• You can perform a semiannual cleaning on your composite deck to preserve its longevity.
• The best part of composites is that, with the exception of food stains, you only have to clean your deck for aesthetic reasons.
• Simply scrub the solution into the decking one section at a time and rinse.
• For wood decks, not cleaning often enough can lead to more costly maintenance.
• All you need to make your natural composite deck cleaner is some soap, water, vinegar, and baking soda and a soft bristle brush to remove dirt, debris, and other grime.

If you prefer to pressure wash your Trex decking, that’s fine. But, the pressure washer cannot be greater than 3100 psi or it could damage the decking, which would void the Trex warranty. To clean with a pressure washer, first spray your deck with commercial pressure washer soap. (Buy some now on Amazon.) Next, scrub each board with a soft-bristle brush. Finally, rinse each board thoroughly, using a pressure washer fan tip that’s no closer than eight inches from the surface. The best way to clean mildew and mold from composite decking is by using the soap-and-water method mentioned in the previous chapter. Over time, your composite decking or porch will probably need to be cleaned from common problems such as mold, dirt, food and beverage stains, etc.

Consider, for example, the effects that traditional cleaners like sodium hypochlorite and TSP can have, releasing phosphates into natural waterways. When it comes to scouring a composite deck, the process looks quite unique from cleaning techniques for raw or wood decking. To maintain its functionality as well as its beauty, a little or minimum care can really go a long way. The first step in maintaining and cleaning your deck is that you should not use household materials that natural wood deck use in keeping it looks new. Most of the chemicals can end up damaging the composite material and you don’t want that on your deck. Remove stubborn dirt with mild soap and a soft bristled brush.

Are Pressure Washers Safe For Composite Deck Railings?

The best way to get rid of mold, tree sap, and mildew stains is to stick to a soap detergent, water, and a soft bristle brush. Most railing stains should come out this way; however if they are still there, try using a vinegar solution. Pressure washers are not recommended for cleaning composite deck railings because they are not as durable as deck boards. According to Trex, it is not recommended to use a pressure washer on an old composite deck railings because it could damage the surface of the railings. Instead of using a pressure washer to clean your railings, use soap and stain removing products.

It’s important that you use a brush with soft bristles in order to not damage the boards’ finish or color. If stains are still apparent, let your deck dry and then consider applying a stain stipper. Stain strippers are tougher than soap and can remove almost any stain, especially tree sap stains. Stain strippers require a firmer bristle brush or broom in order to truly remove the stains. For how to clean composite decking DIY, start by spraying the deck off with a hose and water to remove any surface debris.