Deck Maintenance

How To Clean Composite Decking

When dry the current light tan color becomes much closer to the original saddle when wet with water, so would my Defy sealed deck once dried be colored more like it is now when dry or wet? Another option I’d like to pursue is changing colors from the tan/cedar tones to a weathered gray. Does Defy offer a product to allow me to stain my composite deck, such as Defy Extreme or another product, and therefore change colors? Last question, I am replacing an older portion of wooden deck with Trex. Should I seal the new deck boards with clear Defy Sealer before installed and avoid the past issues of black mildew/algae build up or is it necessary with newer Trex composites? I really like what I read about your products. Simply scrub the solution into the decking one section at a time and rinse.

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.

• Composite decking has become an extremely popular material for outdoor decks.
• Capping composite decking provides a tougher surface.
• Because your deck is exposed to the elements every day, routine cleaning is needed to keep it looking great.
• Scrub it by hand or with a pressure washer at least twice a year.
• Keep the surface as dry as possible and free of debris by sweeping frequently.

The Composite Deck Cleaning Process

Painted wood decks, often coordinated to match the trim on a home, come with special cleaning issues. Harsh cleaners can damage the painted surface, weakening it and leading to cracking and peeling. A gentle all-purpose deck cleaner that does not contain ammonia is usually the best choice for a painted wood deck. The label should specify the cleaner is safe for painted surfaces.

Buyers Guide: The Best Deck Cleaners

For this reason, you will work on small sections of the deck rather than try to do the whole lot at once. Using less than 800psi wash the cleaner off along the grain of the deck.

Design & Price

Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your natural wood deck when mixed with a little warm water. Simply mix 1 gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of ammonia-free dish soap (such as Murphy’s), 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and 1 quart of oxygen bleach.

For composite decking, most manufacturers don’t recommend anything more powerful than dish soap and water. If you’re cleaning a wooden deck, you might need something a little more powerful.

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.