How to do deck cleaning for your home – Tools & Techniques

Are you planning to host friends and family this fall season for a bonfire or to carve pumpkins? Maybe you haven’t looked at your deck in months. Or maybe you’ve already assessed the damage and know your space needs a major deep cleaning! Either way, you’ll probably want to make your deck look squeaky clean before you even THINK about inviting guests over.

Not only this, but a filthy deck can quickly become slippery and hazardous. Mold and mildew can also build up over time, which can leave a nasty smell and cause your family to get sick. Yikes!

You might be tempted to go buy an expensive pressure washer or ring your local handyman to do it for you. However, the best way to effectively clean your deck is actually with some gentle TLC and elbow grease. Sure, you can call someone to take care of the work instead, but you’ll be surprised to learn just how easy and therapeutic cleaning your deck can be!

Keep reading to learn all of the best deck cleaning tools and techniques  alongside a handy step-by-step guide. 

Recommended Deck Cleaning Solutions & Materials Needed (Wooden Deck)

Deck cleaning supply options are endless. You can go out and buy the most expensive deck cleaner on the market or create your own solution using everyday household products. Both are extremely effective! 

If you want to keep it simple and buy a cleaning product, we recommend Star Brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner and Protectant. Less than $40 on Amazon, this product will lift dirt and grime straight out of your deck without any extra scrubbing. Plus, the non-slip coating left behind will protect your deck from future filth. Overall, it’s a solid product if you have the budget to purchase this. 

On the other hand, you can always save some cash and go the simpler route with a method that’s just as effective and will leave your deck sparkling clean!

If you decide to DIY, we recommend using one of the following solutions:

  • Two tablespoons of ammonia-free liquid dish soap mixed with 1 gallon of warm water, 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and 1 quart of oxygen bleach
    • Never mix dish soap containing ammonia with bleach, which can create toxic fumes.
  • Oxygen bleach or powdered oxygen laundry cleaner
    • Never use bleach with chlorine (which is not safe for wood)
  • Mix a ½ cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar with a ¼ cup of baking soda and 1 gallon of warm water

Any of the above cleaning supplies will work wonders for your deck without breaking the bank!

Another important part of the DIY process is selecting the best tools. You don’t want to use anything that will scratch the surface of your deck; however, you also need something tough enough to remove all the gunk! We recommend having the following supplies on hand when you start the deck cleaning process:

  • Broom
    • You’ll want to do a quick sweep before you get started to clear away any loose debris.
  • 5-gallon bucket
    • This is needed for your DIY cleaning solution mixtures.
  • Long garden hose
    • If your garden hose doesn’t reach all the way to your deck, you’ll need to  purchase a longer one to rinse the deck throughout the cleaning process.
  • Hard bristle scrub brush
    • These brushes are great if there’s one specific area that needs some extra TLC.
  • Hard bristle deck brush
    • This tool lets you scrub large amount of surface area with minimal back-breaking effort required.
  • Putty knife
    • This is only needed if your deck has a lot of cracks and crevices filled with gunk that must be scraped off (thus making your life much easier).
  • Stain and sealant
    • A finishing layer of stain and/or sealant will protect your deck from the elements while also adding a beautiful finishing touch.

If you feel your deck needs more than just a deep clean, you may want to also consider performing a total makeover. In this case, you’ll want to have the following tools on hand:

  • Sandpaper/hammer
    • Sand down any wood that’s breaking or cracking to avoid irksome splinters. You can also sand or hammer any nails that are sticking out too far. 
  • Replacement boards, hardware, etc.
    • If any parts of your deck are rotting, you’ll want to replace those boards immediately before the problem gets worse. Not only is rotting extremely hazardous, it’s also an eyesore. 
  • Circular saw or jigsaw
    • In the event you need to replace some of your deck boards, you’ll want to make sure you have a saw on hand to cut the replacement boards to the appropriate shape before you nail them down. 
  • Paint
    • Finally, if you’re replacing boards or doing some sanding, you’ll want to keep a few buckets of paint close by to ensure everything matches. This finishing touch will make your deck look brand new! 

A Step-by-Step Deck Cleaning Guide (Wooden Deck)

Now that you’ve gathered all your materials, it’s time to start the cleaning process. We recommend choosing a day that isn’t too hot or too cold and giving yourself several hours to complete the entire process. 

Safety comes first: be sure to wear gloves and cover any exposed areas of skin, especially when working with bleach or other harsh chemicals. You might even want to wear a mask to avoid inhaling a lot of fumes. 

Another important pre-step is to ensure all doors and windows are closed. After all, you don’t want to begin spraying your deck with a hose only to realize your living room is now drenched with water. Uh-oh!

1. Prepare your deck for cleaning

Before you even begin thinking about scrubbing, prepare your deck by removing any rugs, plants, furniture, or decorations. Give the space a good sweep to remove any loose dirt or debris that has collected over time. 

You might want to trim back any overbearing hedges or tree branches that might get in your way. This will also reduce the chance your deck will suffer damage during a storm and decrease the amount of foliage that will fall on your soon-to-be-spotless deck. 

2. Pre-rinse and mix your solution

Using your garden hose, spray the entire deck with a layer of water to help the cleaning solution disperse more easily when the time comes. This will also remove any loose dirt and debris you may have missed while sweeping.

After you pre-rinse the deck, get your bucket and cleaning solutions ready. Prepare the cleaning solution of your choice in the bucket, using warm water for optimal results. 

3. Clean the deck—using some elbow grease!

Now, this is where the fun really begins. 

Apply your cleaning solution to one section of the deck and use your brushes to scrub off the filth. Depending on how dirty your deck is, you might have to focus on one area for a while to get it completely clean. Always scrub with the grain to protect the wood. If you have an extra- large deck, you might benefit from preparing multiple cleaning solution batches to ensure the concentration is consistent throughout. 

4. Tackle any stubborn stains

Once you’ve completed the entire deck, go back and look for any stubborn stains. You can use your smaller brush and putty knife to successfully remove any gunk that just won’t seem to go away!

5. Final rinse and protect

Once you’re happy with your now-clean deck, do a final rinse with warm water to make sure all cleaning products are rinsed off entirely. You don’t want harsh chemicals sitting on your wooden deck for long periods of time, so be sure not to slack on this part. 

Finally, apply a protective layer on top for longevity and security purposes. Be sure your deck has dried completely before attempting this step—perhaps even waiting an additional 2-3 days if necessary. 

Cleaning a Composite Deck

Cleaning a composite deck looks a little bit different from cleaning a traditional wooden deck. Why is that, exactly? Some of the harsher chemicals used on wood should not be used on composite material, as they can be harmful and damaging. 

As with wooden decks, however, you do have a couple different cleaning solution options. 

If you want to keep it simple and buy a composite deck cleaner, we recommend Olympic Deck Cleaner. It’s only $30 on Amazon and gets the job done right. However, if you want to save some cash and DIY, you can make an eco-friendly composite deck cleaner with just soap and water. 

Either which way, you can utilize the same exact tools listed above to clean your composite deck. 

A Step-by-Step Deck Cleaning Guide (Composite Deck)

1. Prepare your deck for cleaning

As with wooden decks, prepare your space by removing any rugs, plants, furniture, or decorations. Give the deck a good sweep to remove any loose dirt or debris that has collected over time. 

You might want to trim back any overbearing hedges or tree branches that might get in your way. This will also reduce the chance your deck will suffer damage during a storm and decrease the amount of foliage that will fall on your soon-to-be-spotless deck. 

2. Pre-rinse and mix your solution

Using your garden hose, spray the entire deck with a layer of water to help the cleaning solution disperse more easily when the time comes. This will also remove any loose dirt and debris you may have missed while sweeping.

After you pre-rinse the deck, get your bucket and cleaning solutions ready. Prepare your cleaning solution in the bucket, using warm water for optimal results. 

3. Clean the deck—using some elbow grease!

Apply your cleaning solution to one section of the deck and use your brushes to scrub off the filth. Depending on how dirty your deck is, you might have to focus on one area for a while to get it completely clean. If you have an extra-large deck, you might benefit from preparing multiple cleaning solution batches to ensure the concentration is consistent throughout. 

4. Tackle any stubborn stains

Once you’ve completed the entire deck, go back and look for any stubborn stains. You can use your smaller brush and putty knife to successfully remove any gunk that just won’t seem to go away!

5. Final rinse

Once you’re happy with your now-clean deck, do a final rinse with warm water to make sure all cleaning products are rinsed off entirely. 

A Composite Deck with Mold

The above steps are perfect for a composite deck in moderate condition. However, if your deck has any traces of mold on it, we recommend using a vinegar and baking soda solution instead. 

1. Prepare your deck for cleaning

Again, prepare your space by removing any rugs, plants, furniture, or decorations. Give the deck a good sweep to remove any loose dirt or debris that has collected over time. 

You might want to trim back any overbearing hedges or tree branches that might get in your way. This will also reduce the chance your deck will suffer damage during a storm and decrease the amount of foliage that will fall on your soon-to-be-spotless  deck. 

2. Pre-rinse and mix your solution

Using your garden hose, spray the entire deck with a layer of water—setting out to remove f as much surface mold as possible.

After you pre-rinse the deck, get your bucket and cleaning solutions ready. Mix two parts vinegar with one part water in a bucket. Pour the solution directly onto the mold, using warm water for optimal results. 

3. Layer your cleaning supplies and soak

Apply your vinegar mixture to the entire deck. Then, sprinkle baking soda on top of the vinegar mixture. Let this solution soak in for at least 20 minutes.  

4. Scrub

Once your solution has soaked in for 20 minutes, take your brushes and scrub away any mold, mildew, or residue. 

5. Final rinse

Once you’re happy with your now-clean deck, do a final rinse with warm water to make sure all cleaning products and mold are rinsed off entirely. 

FAQs

How often should I clean my deck?

You should try to sweep your deck at least once every two weeks and deep clean at least once a year. If you live in an area that receives high levels of precipitation,  bi-annual deep cleanings are recommended. 

Should I use a pressure washer?

We recommend only allowing professionals to operate a pressure washer on your deck. These tools are very powerful and can do a lot of unintended damage if you aren’t confident in your skills.