Tips for Cleaning a Wooden Deck
- Before you begin the cleaning process, remove all items from the wood deck. Place the furniture, plants and decorations in a safe location. Removing the items will protect them from damage during the cleaning process. Use a broom to sweep leaves, dirt and other debris off the deck and then dampen the deck with a water hose.
- Choose natural, non-toxic items to clean your deck to keep harsh chemicals away from your family and out of your environment. Items such as white vinegar, baking soda and oxygen bleach will thoroughly clean your wood deck without filling your home with toxic chemicals. Create a cleaning solution by mixing 1 cup of oxygen bleach, 2 cups of white vinegar or 1 cup of baking soda with 1 gallon of water. All three of the items are safe to use on painted, stained and bare wood.
- It is not uncommon for moss, mold and mildew to grow on your wood deck. The excess moisture provides an ideal growing environment for the fungus and lichen. These nuisances can stain your wood deck and -- if not treated -- deteriorate the wood. Begin the removal process by brushing surface mold, mildew and moss off the deck with a brush broom. Create the cleaning solution by combining 1/4 cup trisodium phosphate with 1 gallon water. Dampen a scrub brush in the solution and scrub the area of the wood deck that is infected. Let the mixture sit on the deck for 10 minutes before rinsing it clean with a water hose. Repeat the process until you remove all traces of the mold, mildew or moss.
- A vital necessity for trees, sap can drop off the tree and land on your wood deck. The sticky substance will quickly harden on the deck and make removal difficult. Typically, you cannot remove the sap from your wood deck using normal cleaners or water. Instead, dampen the sap with just enough turpentine to cover it and let soak for five minutes. After the allotted time has passed, scrub the tree sap with a stiff scrub brush. Scrub in the direction of the wood grain. Keep in mind that turpentine may stain your wood deck and will harm vegetation. If the tree sap is still present, gently scrape it off with a putty knife. Clean the area of the deck thoroughly to remove the turpentine residue.
