A wood deck is one of the biggest investments that any homeowner can make to their home in order to improve the outside of the home. It is also a way to upgrade the outdoor space in the backyard, especially for those people who like to entertain guests at their home. Like anything that you have outside and exposed to the many elements, it is important that you pay close attention to the condition of the exposed surfaces of the wood deck.

One of the final steps of installing a real wooden deck is ensuring that all exposed surfaces are sealed with a high-quality liquid sealer. This sealer will completely coat the exterior of the wood to prevent any moisture from being absorbed into the wood grain. A good quality seal will last several seasons and keep the deck protected and also help to make cleaning a lot easier as well.

Cleaning your deck

The best way to keep your wooden deck looking good and to protect your investment you should periodically give your deck a thorough and very deep cleaning. The best way to do this is to use a pressure washer and a good cleaner. There are a number of commercial cleaners that are available on the market and many of them are highly recommended by the sealer manufacturer. There are also a number of DIY cleaners that have good anecdotal results and can easily be made as an alternative cleaner. 

Commercial Deck Cleaning Solutions

There are a number of commercially produced deck cleaning solutions from all of the major wood finishing manufacturers. This includes Behr Premium, which makes a high-quality All in One Deck Cleaning Solution. Their cleaners are designed to remove dirt, debris and restore the original color of the wood. While Behr claims that it is biodegradable, according to a notice from the State of California (Proposition 65 notice) that its formula contains chemicals that are known to cause cancer.

All-natural, Homemade Deck Cleaning Solutions

Homemade, all-natural cleaning solutions are designed to be less harsh on the decking materials and also to be less harsh on the environment. The primary ingredients that are used as an alternative have generally been proven to deliver equal results to the much harsher chemicals that you will find in the typical commercial-grade cleaning solutions.

Regular Cleaner

1.5 Cups Trisodium phosphate

  .5 Cups Household Bleach

2.0 Gallons of Warm Water

Mix up and pour into pressure washer and spray according to the washer instructions.

Annual Deep Cleaner

.5 Gallons Household Bleach

.25 Cups Dish Detergent

2.0 Gallon Warm Water

Mix up and pour into pressure washer and spray according to the washer instructions.

Regular cleaning and at least one annual deep cleaning is highly recommended by most deck manufacturers as a way to extend the life of your deck. It is especially important to keep the dirt and debris from piling up and potentially damaging the wood. Also, keeping it clean will help to keep it looking good as well.