Is your favorite backyard living space well beyond due for a complete and through deck cleaning? A task that is often easy to put off, regular deck cleaning keeps the dreaded chore from becoming a complete nightmare. No matter if your deck is made from wood or an engineered composite product, here are a few tips and tricks to deck cleaning - the quick and easy way.
Start With A Clean Slate
First things first, when it comes to deck cleaning, it's wise to just dig in and do the work necessary to clean the deck until it sparkles (at least once at the beginning of the season). The goal here is to remove any pesky mildew and other grime so it will be easier to maintain a clean deck throughout the remainder of the outdoor living season.
What should be used to clean a deck? It depends on the situation. Sometimes just a little warm, soapy water (kitchen dish soap works great) will do the trick. Just spray down the deck with a hose and spread the soap solution around with a broom. Be sure to really work the bristles of the broom into the grain of the deck's surface.
Other times, stubborn grime and stains require the use of a deck cleaning solvent. If such a product is necessary, be sure use one that is designed especially for the purpose. You'll find several good deck cleaning products at your local home improvement store - for best results, follow the provided instructions precisely.
Nine times out of ten, one of these two methods of cleaning a deck will completely do the trick. If it seems beyond hope, it might just be time to call in the pros.
What To Avoid When Cleaning Decks
There are a few common misconceptions out there when it comes to deck cleaning. First, pressure washers are sure handy, but they can also really accelerate damage to a wooden decking surface if set on too high of a pressure. Also, using harsh household products like bleach are simply not good for a deck's surface. It pays to avoid the temptation.
Once It's Clean, Keep It Clean
The hard work is done and the deck has been cleaned. What's next? Well, an annual application of water sealant or deck stain will help the deck stay clean and lustrous all season. In fact, a properly treated deck is a lot like a freshly waxed car - the water will just bead right up and roll off, taking the dirt and grime with it. A gentle hosing down will often be all that's needed to maintain it.
The best thing about regular deck cleaning is that just a little bit of preventive maintenance helps to keep the deck surface looking great all of the time and it prolongs the life of the deck for years and years to come. Making a deck last a lifetime really is quick and easy with frequent deck cleaning.
