5 Essential Things You Will Need to Clean a Composite Deck
A composite deck is a beautiful addition to any outdoor living space and is made up of a good mix of both wood and plastic. And although a composite deck is a wonderful choice for your front or backyard, it does require a bit of upkeep. You'll need to provide your deck with the proper maintenance in order to keep it looking new for years to come.
To clean a composite deck, stores offer homeowners and building owners cleaning solutions. However, many of these cleaning solutions contain harsh chemicals, which aren't healthy for yourself, small children, nearby plants, and even the deck itself. Over time, if you continue to use harsh cleaning chemicals on your deck, the chemicals will begin to break down your deck as well as the grim on top of it.
So, what's the best way to clean a composite deck? Below are 6 essential things that you need in order to keep your deck looking its best!
1. A Mildew and Algae Cleaner
If your deck has mildew and algae growing on it, then the first thing you need is a mildew and algae cleaner. This homemade cleaner leaves you with the results you want without risking anyone or anything's health. And the best thing about it is that it's super easy to make.
To make this cleaner, you'll need the following household items:
- 1 cup household bleach
- 1 cup trisodium phosphate (TSP)
- 2 gallons of warm water
Mix all of the ingredients together and wash your deck down with the water hose. Once the wood is soaked in water, apply the cleaning solution. Then use a brush or broom to scrub the solution into the wood.
Give it about 10 to 15 minutes to soak into the wood and penetrate the layer where mildew and algae are present. When finished, wash the solution off with the water hose!
2. A Soapy Deck Scrub
Dish soap might not be as powerful as TSP, but it gets the job done pretty well. And this homemade soapy dish scrub contains bleach, which gives it the extra kick it needs to eliminate all grime and grease on your deck.
To make this cleaner, you'll need the following household items:
- 2 quarts of household bleach
- 1/4 cup of ammonia-free dish soap
- 2 gallons of warm water
If you have a deck that is quick to build up dirt, grime, and grease on it, then this is one of the best cleaning solutions for it. Just be sure to protect your plants near the deck with a plastic tarp before cleaning your deck. You'll also need to be sure to rinse it off completely when done.
For a less-harsh solution, you can mix together 1 gallon of water with 1 gallon of white vinegar. Although it works, it might not be as effective as the bleach.
3. A Powdered Bleach Scrub
A powdered bleach solution helps remove mildew and algae all while preventing wasps and yellow jackets from building nests on your deck. It's not as harsh as liquid bleach, and once the solution is made, you'll need to use it right away.
It's a perfect solution for decks that don't suffer from stains and decks that need a good washing in between yearly deep cleanings.
To make this cleaner, you'll need the following household items:
- 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap
- 2 gallons of hot water
- 2 cups of powdered oxygen laundry cleaner
Mix the powdered oxygen laundry cleaner with the hot water until the powder has completely dissolved in the water. Then, add the liquid dish soap and give it a mix. A bit of elbow grease is required for this solution, so be sure to really work it into your deck.
4. A Dry Surface at All Times
Although your composite deck was made to withstand water, it's important to keep a dry surface at all times as much as possible. Mildew and algae both need moisture to grow, so keeping your deck dry is going to be your best bet in preventing them from growing.
Ensure that your deck has at least 6 inches of room underneath it. This is going to help the deck "breathe." You'll also want to ensure that all dryer vents are leading away from your deck.
A dryer vent near your deck will direct hot hair towards it, which is another element loved by mildew and algae. And don't forget to be on the lookout for standing water on your deck after it rains. You'll need to remove this water and then determine what the cause is and possibly fix it.
5. A Team of Surface Cleaning Pressure Washers
A solid team of professional surface cleaning pressure washers is what's going to keep that deck of yours looking top-notch for years and years to come. Keep these solutions nearby for daily, weekly, or monthly cleaning, but when it's time to get a deep cleaning completed, you'll need a good pressure washer.
Pressure washing is a great way to naturally clean your composite deck without using harsh chemicals or causing damage to your deck.
Clean a Composite Deck the Right Way!
After reading this guide, we hope you now know how to clean a composite deck the right way! Use these homemade cleaning solutions to clean your deck at home regularly. But when it's time to give your deck a good deep cleaning, you'll need to call in the professionals.
Schedule an appointment online today and let us help you get your composite deck back to its original beautiful state!
