How To Clean A Composite Or Wood Deck

How To Clean Composite Decking

Choosing the correct cleaner can literally make or break your deck. When buying a cleaning product, always check the label and never use anything labeled as a Chlorine Bleach based “deck cleaner”. If the active ingredients include Sodium Hypochlorite, it contains Bleach. Chlorine bleach is very corrosive and will eat into any material it’s applied to. Eventually, it will lead to discoloration of your deck, damage the surface , and can exacerbate any mold/mildew issues that may occur.

Decking & Railing Duos

I can see cracks in the surface, and I can see what I assume is black mold, We also have green moss popping up all over. I am going to power wash it, to remove all of the unwanted elements. There is one place where the deck was damaged and a little chunk is missing, now there is mold growing in that little area. Use the cleaner first, then rinse with a power washer. Follow that with the brightener before you stain to get the best results.

• Many of the composite companies use wood content in them as well.
• To maintain the beauty of your Trex® deck, a little care and cleaning goes a long way.
• Often, the only maintenance composite decking requires is an occasional power washing.
• All exterior building materials require cleaning and a Trex deck is no different.
• Composite decks on the other hand, offer a lower level of all-around maintenance – they won’t splinter and you don’t need to worry about periodic staining, painting or sealing projects.
• For early-generation composite products (Trex Accents®, Trex Origins®, Trex Contours®, Trex Profiles® or Trex Brasilia®), we recommend a semi-annual cleaning with a composite deck cleaner.

The Composite Deck Cleaning Process

Note that while Star Brite is manufactured as a deck cleaning product for boats, it’s gentle formulation makes it a great choice for residential decks as well. The premixed liquid can be applied to a wet deck either with a pump sprayer or a soft deck brush. Even after you rinse it away, the cleaner leaves a microscopic layer of polymer protection to help repel stains and spills in the future. One gallon cleans and treats a deck up to 1,000 square feet. Composite decking is manufactured from wood byproducts and plastic, and it comes with an impermeable surface, designed to resist rotting and decay. Wood deck cleaners may be too harsh for composite decks, especially if they contain brightening ingredients, which can strip the sheen off decking, leaving a dull, unattractive look.

Buyers Guide: The Best Deck Cleaners

How To Extend The Life Of Your Deck

The best part of composites is that, with the exception of food stains, you only have to clean your deck for aesthetic reasons. For wood decks, not cleaning often enough can lead to more costly maintenance. Thurston said the green and brown stains you describe are probably mold and mildew, which come in a variety of colors besides basic black.

Composite decking has become an extremely popular material for outdoor decks. Because your deck is exposed to the elements every day, routine cleaning is needed to keep it looking great. Keep the surface as dry as possible and free of debris by sweeping frequently. Scrub it by hand or with a pressure washer at least twice a year. Address stains as soon as possible, and make sure your deck continues to maintain adequate drainage to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Composite decks on the other hand, offer a lower level of all-around maintenance – they won’t splinter and you don’t need to worry about periodic staining, painting or sealing projects.

Instead, I recommend using DEFY Composite Deck Cleaner. This cleaner is specifically formulated for cleaning composite decking, including Trex. Like other wood deck varieties, composite decking is quite porous.

Keep the spray moving and don’t spray from too close to the deck. Trex Decks can last a lifetime and will maintain their quality but sometimes they show their age. One of the best ways to care for your deck is to clean it regularly - don’t let it get past the point of no return. Another way of maintaining a clean composite deck is after the cleaning is complete to apply a water sealer made specifically for composite decking. Some essential tips to remember with composite decks is never to use shovels or any sharp objects to remove snow and ice from the deck in the winter. Your deck design and building specialist is supremely knowledgeable about the product that they employ. Consequently, they can suggest the best snow melt products to use that will be safe for the decking materials.