How To Clean A Composite Or Wood Deck

How To Clean Composite Decking

By properly sealing or staining composite decking, you could get several years of use out of it before you need to clean it again. If you decide not to seal the deck, you will most likely need to plan on cleaning it again every year or so. Follow these simple steps to clean mold on composite decking (cleaning Trex®). If your deck is constructed of older composite decking (installed prior to mid-2000), then you probably know what a big problem unsightly mildew growth has become. When choosing a professional to power wash your deck, don’t just choose someone from your local power washing company—choose someone who specifically has experience power washing decks.

Decking & Railing Duos

We’re going to start with this product which you can buy at WashSafe.com. I then wised up and borrowed this Simpson Pressure Washer from a family member to see how well it would work on my composite deck. I checked with Trex, the manufacturer of my composite decking, to verify if a pressure washer was suitable to use for cleaning purposes before I started.

• The cleaning process will go best if you select the right cleaner to begin with.
• To remove mold from older Trex products, the company recommends using a deck wash that includes detergent and sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach.
• I hate bleach because it kills plants and vegetation and it’s terrible to work with.
• It specifically recommends Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner ($9.98 per gallon at Home Depot) and Expert Chemical’s Composite Deck Cleaner & Enhancer ($19.98 a gallon at expertchemicalinc.com).
• Instead, I recommend using DEFY 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.

In my opinion, you get a better result much easier by not listening to them on the solution. They are towing the company line with their recommendation although I agree with not using the pressure washer on the older Trex. No matter the composite you should always check the warranty of the product so that anything you do will not void the warranty and expose you to any action down the road.

For how to clean composite decking DIY, start by spraying the deck off with a hose and water to remove any surface debris. Thankfully, composite decking is easily cleaned with the soap-and-water method or basic power washing.

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.