How To Clean Your Deck Or Patio With Vinegar And Baking Soda, Environmentally And Pet Safe

Step 2: Spray With Soapy Water & Scrub

I blame myself for being so ignorant, but I really have a big issue with our Contractor and Trex for selling crap like this to consumers. I sincerely hope that people looking to use this product will visit this forum. If you don't own a pressure washer or can't borrow one from a friend or neighbor, they can be rented from a local hardware store, usually by the day. Once you've read the instruction manual, start at the center of the deck and direct the spray to both ends, hitting all areas.

Premixed Vs Concentrated Deck Cleaners

Follow the safety instructions that come with the machine since streams of high pressure water can be harmful and can cause personal injury. Composite decking is not only a beautiful addition to the home, but can offer many advantages over traditional wood decking.

Can I Seal Composite Decking?

It's better to maintain the deck more often, including sweeping, rather than leaving it so that it has to be treated with something strong like trisodium phosphate. Mix vinegar, soap, and water in a bucket, apply to one section of mildew-infested decking, and scrub with a brush until you see results. This method may have to be repeated for a thorough job. When beginning a DIY composite patio cleaning, start off by spattering the ground with a hose and water to get free of the current residue on the surface. Composite decking in recent years has been the best choice of material for outdoor decks. This is because outdoor decks and patios are exposed to constant elements and cleaning it daily can make your environment look great.

• Be very careful so that you use only ammonia free dish soap.
• Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your natural wood deck when mixed with a little warm water.
• Otherwise, if ammonia is mixed with bleach, it can create toxic fumes.
• Simply mix 1 gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of ammonia-free dish soap (such as Murphy’s), 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and 1 quart of oxygen bleach.

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.

front deck in Canberra is cedar and I am so sick of scrubbing, brightening lightning, cleaning, oiling and sanding! I put composite in the back and I've been a little better." Use oxalic acid on rust stains and other stubborn spots. Deck brightener products will also work on these tougher stains. Sweep the deck and apply the product directly to the stain. Saturate the area and allow it to sit on the stain for about 15 minutes.

For plastic, a mixture of baking soda and warm water works. Just place the baking soda and water mixture in a spray bottle and apply on target surface.

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

This isn’t more effective than scrubbing by hand, but it’s much faster. If you have a large deck, you may prefer this approach. Use a pressure washer with no greater than 3100 psi and make sure it has a fan attachment and soap dispenser.

How To Clean A Roof Safely, Effectively And Without Bleach

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.