The cleaning aisles in many grocery stores also sell oxygen bleach. Cleaning paving and patios are often thought of as a tough job. Oils are easy to apply with no special skills required. After the deck is dry, apply a deck sealer or waterproofing wood finish to waterproof the wood. If you have spindles, steps, or any fancy woodwork do that too. 1 Archipelago, Lyon Way,  Next, take a broom and give the whole area a good and thorough sweep. Use a pressure washer or garden hose to loosen and rinse away any dirt or grime. If you want to use it for general cleaning you’ll need to scrub the surface and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Always wear comfortable, close-toed shoes with pressure washer. Under the deck, check the joists, these are the large boards spaced every 16 in (41 cm) or 24 in (61 cm) which support the deck boards. Use these tips to remove mold and mildew stains from your deck boards. Then, apply the sealer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Check in-between plank slats for hard-to-reach debris. Be sure to clean out the debris between your deck boards, as well. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 1. Apply your chosen cleaner to the decking using a watering can, then scrub the deck straightaway with your broom or brush, rubbing it into the grooves. These tips will ensure your deck is looking spotless and summer-ready in no time! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. By using our site, you agree to our. You can use a leaf blower or an air compressor to help blow off excess water and speed up drying. Expert Interview. This article has been viewed 87,720 times. Lastly, rinse with clean water and leave the deck to dry. How to remove green mold/ algae / mildew from wooden decking. He works with homeowners to make a wide variety of improvements to make their homes more comfortable and liveable. Be on especial lookout for safety threats, like rusty screws or bolts, uneven board edges, splintering, and protruding screws, nails, or bolts. Finally, let’s explore the most effective and safe approach if you want to restore the shiny clean state of your composite or plastic decking and don’t own high-pressure washing equipment. Remove anything that might get in your way or prove hazardous – anything from large patio furniture to potted plants. Add 1 cup of oxygenated bleach to 2 gallons of hot water. However, if any stain has lingered and allowed to stand for some time, first make use of a brush and soapy water to take it off. When it comes to mould and algae, the best way to clean decking is with a ready to use a concentrated disinfectant treatment like Patio Magic! It also removes moss, mould and algae, and helps make it easier to apply deck paint, stains and oils. A decking cleaner and reviver is specially formulated to restore the wood back to its natural colour, reinvigorating the appearance of your deck. Just remember: if you’re using a pressure washer, this step needs to be done with great care. Once the area is clean, rinse thoroughly with fresh water to remove all residue. Rent or purchase a pressure washer with a maximum pressure of about 1500 PSI (pounds per square inch) to avoid damaging your deck. When you powerwash your decking use the lowest setting so you don’t damage the wood. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. Sweep the deck once more to remove any dirt or dust that may have accumulated while it was drying. Saturate the surface and scrub the deck with a stiff-bristled brush or sponge until the cleaning solution starts to lather. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1351324-v4-728px-Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"