How To Clean A Composite Deck

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 may happen once or twice after the initial cleaning. Once that phase is over, keep your composite decking looking good with a necessary routine cleaning. 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 try not to play favorites with our products but there’s no denying that Spray & Clean is one of our stars. We’re going to start with this product which you can buy at WashSafe.com. In order to best maintain the surface of your composite deck railing, avoid any products that have acetone and other kinds of solvents, as they will alter the color of the railing.

The capping material on these products is not composed of a wood plastic composite. Power washing your deck can be a big mistake and is not usually recommended for cleaning composite decks. Wet-and-Forget Moss, Mold, and Mildew Cleaner comes in a liquid concentrate for mixing with water, and it can be applied with a pump sprayer, a deck brush, or a hose-end dispenser. Simply saturate the wood decking evenly and let it dry on its own—no scrubbing or even mopping required. Mildewcide in the solution works to kill and remove any existing mold, while also helping to prevent future mold, moss, and mildew growth. For composite decking, don’t use a wood deck cleaner—rather, choose one specialized for composite lumber.

Cleaning Composite And Wood Decking

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

Mildew needs a food source to grow, which can be grass, pollens, dirt, debris, wood, and wood resins. Once we have built you the deck of your dreams, you want to know how to keep it that way! And although composite decking can be lower maintenance than other types of decking, this certainly doesn’t mean “maintenance free”. In fact, there are some mistakes that could actually increase the regular care required to maintain your composite deck. Here are a few tips to restore your deck and get it clean and ready to enjoy every day. If you live in an area where rain is frequent, mold and/or mildew can grow on your wood deck. Left untreated, these fungi will thrive and eventually destroy the wood’s cellular structure, leading to rot and decay.

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.

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• Pressure washing too close or using too much pressure can ruin your deck.
• In most cases, a garden hose should be sufficient for regular duty cleaning.
• Once mold has stained these plastics, it can be extremely hard to remove.
• If you must pressure wash, just remember to keep it at the lowest pressure possible and no closer than 8″ from the surface.

Eventually, it will discolor your deck, damage the surface and exacerbate any mold/mildew issues that can occur. Avoid this costly mistake and choose a non-toxic, sodium percarbonate based cleaner. Apply your composite deck cleaner.Your deck cleaner will come with detailed, specific instructions that you should follow carefully. Keeping the pressure washer under 800 psi, wash off the cleaner by going along the grain. Maintain a distance of at least 8 to 10 inches from the surface of your deck, and make sure to keep your spray moving.

How To Treat Stains On Your Outdoor Deck

If your composite deck needs mold or mildew stains removed, you can mix a solution of two parts vinegar and one part water to apply directly to the problem area. Pre-rinsing your deck allows the cleaner to work better and helps soften up the fibers. Dip a soft-bristle brush into the bucket of cleaner and scrub your deck to remove any grime, dirt, and other debris.

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.

Products are non-toxic, non-flammable, non-staining , completely biodegradable and safe to use. Product is water-based and may require a second application after rain or other weather conditions. Over a period of time, the effect of static will dissipate naturally on the decking surface. Hard water is water with a high amount of mineral deposits like lime, silica and calcium.