Types Of Deck Washes And Cleaners

Step 2: Spray With Soapy Water & Scrub

Was wondering if a Kilz coat would cover the spots and then it could be painted or stained. I installed a trex deck last year and had the black spots appear within a couple of months. So I went out and bought the corte clean that trex recommends but decided to do a precleaning with some Simple Green Heavy Duty I had laying around. Even with a very diluted mixture the deck came out like new with light scrubing. I will be returning the expensive Corte Clean because I dont believe that it could get much cleaner. Just an FYI though, my deck is less than a year old so Im not sure how well this stuff will work on a deck that has gone longer without cleaning. Just thought Id share my experience with all the other frustrated owners of trex out there.

Premixed Vs Concentrated Deck Cleaners

You will also need a bucket and a supply of clean water. Deck brushes are between 8" and 12" wide and utilize a pole so you can scrub while standing. You can also remove the pole and scrub while kneeling if you so desire.

Can I Seal Composite Decking?

Use the fan attachment to spray each individual deck board and rinse away the soap and debris. If you decided to use a pressure washer, then the high pressure water stream is doing the scrubbing and rinsing in one step.

• Most railing stains should come out this way; however if they are still there, try using a vinegar solution.
• Instead of using a pressure washer to clean your railings, use soap and stain removing products.
• Pressure washers are not recommended for cleaning composite deck railings because they are not as durable as deck boards.
• According to Trex, it is not recommended to use a pressure washer on an old composite deck railings because it could damage the surface of the railings.
• For composite decking, most manufacturers don’t recommend anything more powerful than dish soap and water.

After you’ve put a little elbow grease into scrubbing and cleaning with your brush, rinse the deck thoroughly. Begin by spraying the deck off with a hose and water to remove any surface debris. For dull or weathered wood decks, choose a “brightening” or restorative cleaner. For dirty wood decks, choose an all-purpose wood deck cleaner. For superior cleaning results, be sure to choose a solution suited to your deck material. Keep reading to learn how to select the best deck cleaner for your needs, and to find out why we’ve chosen the below as top picks. To treat a stubborn stain, mix just enough warm water with a small amount of powdered oxygen bleach to make a paste.

The posts and other vertical boards will not be made from composite material, but they don't need to be cleaned as often because they don't hold standing water. Address the oily stain as soon as you notice it; the longer it sits on the surface of your deck, the more difficult it will be to remove. Use a soft bristled brush and soapy water to scrub at the stain. If the lines are not overlap marks able to be taken out by washing again, then take pictures and ask the manufacturer before trying too many other things out. The composite decking materials now greatly vary in some areas. If the manufacturer is unhelpful, I would consider experimenting with my heat gun after researching the specific material. You may choose to use a pressure washer to spray the deck clean.

We spent an entire soccer free weekend, cleaning the deck with the products recommended on the Trex Technical Mold Bulletin. We used Corte Clean and another product that was supposed to seal the deck to prevent mold growth. Within a month, the mold came back with a vengence. We contacted our deck contractor and he referred us to Trex to file a claim. So, I work part time to pay for my costly deck and spend my days off scrubbing mold off of it.

To remove, spray off with a hose and use warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush to remove spills from embossing pattern. Not only are we manufacturers, we're contractors too. Our rule of thumb is avoid the “heat of the day” and direct overhead sunlight when working on your deck with any cleaning chemicals or coatings. Do your cleaning when the deck is cooler in the morning for best results! This makes Spring and early Fall one of the best times to clean your composite deck so check the weather forecast and wait for a cool, non-humid morning to start this project.

Do not use a wire brush as that will thoroughly scratch your plastic decking. Scratches will trap dirt, look bad, and are difficult to clean.

To remove tannin stains from debris, such as leaves, apply a commercial deck brightener once the Trex decking is dry. Make sure to follow the manufacturer instructions, and check to see if the product contains bleach or acid. If it does, it will lighten the color of your Trex decking, so apply some on an inconspicuous area first to see if you like the look. If the deck is made from a composite material, use a composite deck cleaner.