Homemade Deck Cleaner

Step 2: Spray With Soapy Water & Scrub

The most effective non-toxic solution to protect your deck is UltraBan. I can’t tell you how many customers who call and tell us they wished they knew about this product years ago. UltraBan was engineered specifically for the purpose of inhibiting mold growth on porous materials, without damaging the surface or the environment. When applied, it actually fuses with the decking creating an invisible shield protecting against mold and mildew. This technology has never been duplicated and if applied annually, you can rest assured that your deck will be protected year after year. Composite decking requires a little extra care when cleaning. Regular cleaning of dirt and debris can easily be done with a broom or a garden hose.

Premixed Vs Concentrated Deck Cleaners

I bought my Trex deck because of its environmentally friendly reputation. Corte Clean did not corrode my fasteners or kill my plants like the chlorine bleach based products. Courtesy of AmazonTSP, or trisodium phosphate, is a powder-based cleaner that is one of the best at killing mold and mildew.

Can I Seal Composite Decking?

Pour yourself a tall cup of coffee, put on some tunes and get started. Luckily for us all— advancements in deck building have made affording, installing and maintaining a deck easier than ever before! Preserving your composite deck is easy as long as you make an effort to clean it semi-annually and use the proper cleaning tools to do so. Proper cleaning tools are crucial in maintaining a gorgeous deck; your deck is an investment that deserves to be protected.

• If your deck is still dirty, hose it down, scrub with a brush and soap, then, rinse with a hose.
• If you spill food, grease or oil on your deck, immediately clean the area with hot water.
• For a faster cleaning option, try using a pressure washer.
• 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.

For a deeper clean, always use a soft bristle scrub brush. Again, if you are using the right cleaner, less scrubbing will be required. For snow removal, choose a plastic shovel instead of metal. A decking company recently contacted us for advice on how to prevent mold from growing under the deck. One of the biggest contributing factors to this problem is a simple step most people overlook during their regular cleaning – the gaps! Dirt and debris can build up over time collecting moisture providing the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Depending on your climate, the gaps between your deck boards should be cleared out at least once a year.

Ways To Damage Your Composite Deck

Like any other wood-based product, TimberTech’s wood-polymer composite products may experience a naturally occurring process called Extractive Bleeding/Tannins. This process may cause temporary discoloration that will weather away with exposure to flushing rainfall and UV. In most cases, the weathering process takes 8-10 weeks but could vary depending on location and specific product application such as a covered porch. Tannins may also be cleaned by utilizing the cleaners referenced for Basic Cleaning Recommendations for ReliaBoard and DockSider. In this instance, rinse the coating immediately after using the cleaning product. Note that composite deck cleaners such as Corte Clean, Thompson’s Water Seal-Oxy Action, Olympic Deck Cleaner, or other cleaners specified as composite deck cleaners, in powder or liquid form. The capping is a polymer and not a wood/plastic composite.

For those stubborn stains try Krud Kutter® Concentrated Cleaner / Degreaser Stain Remover. After the solution is poured, sprinkle some baking soda on the area. Let this compound sit and soak for 20 minutes and then use your gentle bristle brush to scrub the area and remove any leftover mold and mildew.

Removing Stains

As for me--after getting a complete runaround from Trex --my plan this fall is to rip the damn stuff up and start over. Chlorine Bleach or Sodium Hypochlorite based deck cleaners that the uneducated recommend may appear to quickly remove mildew and mold fungus from Trex and other Composite Decking. We purchased a $20,000 "maintenance free" deck and within the first year, black mold spots began to appear.

How To Avoid Mold And Mildew Growth

Liberally saturate the deck by dipping the brush into the homemade cleaning solution and sloshing it over the planks. Starting at one end and working your way to the other, scrub with the brush to work up a light lather, rewetting the brush’s bristles as needed. Give the solution 15 minutes of dwell time to allow the oxygen bleach to work. I did the oxyclean and vinegar with hot water it works well especially when accompanied by a stiff brush and power water.

Also sweeping and keeping the surface of the deck as dry as possible frequently can keep the life of the material which was used in making it. You probably love your Trex decking because it’s durable and low-maintenance. But you still have to clean it occasionally to keep it looking great. Semi-annual cleanings in the spring and fall will also help prevent mold growth.