6 Alternative Ways To Clean A Deck Without A Power Washer

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?

Sure, various products--tsp/bleach/commercial cleaners--will beat the mold back, but it returns with a vengeance. There are other synthetic products on the market that are less susceptible to discoloration and mold--check them out.

• We try not to play favorites with our products but there’s no denying that Spray & Clean is one of our stars.
• 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’re going to start with this product which you can buy at WashSafe.com.

If this happens, check with the deck manufacturer to see their approved list of stronger cleaners. When you are finished carefully scrubbing the composite decking, rinse away the remainder of the soap and any leftover dirt. Capped composite decking is usually referred to as simply “composite decking,” and we will be referring to the shortened version throughout this post. Capped composite decking is one of the most popular and most efficient decking available on the market. Once a year, when your deck looks like it requires a good cleaning, whip up a batch of this homemade deck cleaner. Never use this cleaner for routine cleaning as it is on the harsh side, so much it can handle rust stains on concrete. It is vital to remove all oxygen bleach residue from your wood deck, so you may need to rinse several times.

Ways To Damage Your Composite Deck

However, TSP is not considered an especially environmental choice and has all kinds of precautions on the back of its box. But if the deck has not been cleaned in a long time and algae is visible, it may have to occasionally be used, with care and caution.

We spent an entire soccer free weekend, cleaning the deck with the products recommended on the Trex Technical Mold Bulletin. We used Corte Clean and another product that was supposed to seal the deck to prevent mold growth. Within a month, the mold came back with a vengence. We contacted our deck contractor and he referred us to Trex to file a claim. So, I work part time to pay for my costly deck and spend my days off scrubbing mold off of it.

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.

You may need to wait a few days for the deck to completely dry depending on weather conditions. Cover plants, grass, concrete, trim, and any other areas you don’t want stained. Chlorine Bleach is extremely corrosive and will eat away at your deck eventually causing discoloration of your decking, damage the surface, and intensify any mold issues that can occur.

How To Clean A Roof Safely, Effectively And Without Bleach

To remove tannin stains from debris, such as leaves, apply a commercial deck brightener once the Trex decking is dry. Make sure to follow the manufacturer instructions, and check to see if the product contains bleach or acid. If it does, it will lighten the color of your Trex decking, so apply some on an inconspicuous area first to see if you like the look. If the deck is made from a composite material, use a composite deck cleaner.