How to Clean Your Deck and Remove Stains

Do you want to get rid of those ugly stains on your outdoor deck or patio? Here is the information you need to clean your deck and patio. However, here is a guide to getting rid of those tough stains so you can get back in control and restore the beauty of your deck.

First thing's first – clear the way for cleaning. Sweep up all the debris, dust, dirt, leaves, etc. But you're not done after you've taken a broom to your patio. Next, get a knife (preferable a putty knife) and check out all the nooks and crannies of the floor boards and railings and dig out any pesky hard-to-reach dirt.

Now that your deck is dirt-free, you can spray it down with a hose. You might find that your patio no longer has stains after you do this! If this is the case, your task is very simple. All you have to do now is rub your deck down with warm water and regular cleaner.

However, any outdoor structure is vulnerable to not just wear and tear, but bad weather and water damage. So this means you're probably going to have a lot more on your hands than that. Thankfully, there are products designed to help people specifically clean deck stains. One of those high-tech products is a pressure washer. You'll likely invest in a “medium-duty” washer for a patio. Pressure washers are not cheap, so it might be in your best interest to borrow or rent one. However, if you have guests over often, a pressure washer is an appliance you will want to have on your side as long as you have an outdoor patio.

Whether or not you opt for a pressure washer, you'll still probably have to make a trip to the store and get some serious cleaning solution for your deck. There are many deck cleaners out there and if you use them right, they should do the trick. Remember, however, to cover up plants as you clean; you don't want the chemicals to harm them! You want to protect yourself as well. If you're putting to work strong chemicals, including bleach, on your patio, wear goggles and gloves. Some chemicals might even be too strong for your deck though. These chemicals can cause discoloration – so be careful when your shopping around for them.

Some stains just don't want to leave. And the only way to get rid of them is to repeat these steps over and over until they finally decide it's not worth the fight. Don't be surprised if you end up on your hands and knees and have to scrub your deck down multiple times.

After you finish cleaning, make sure you wash down your deck one more time with plain water.

Mildew stains, in particular, are especially afraid of bleach. If you mix warm water and bleach and apply that combination to mildew, you'll most likely win that battle! Again, hose the area down after you're finished.

What about mold? If your patio deck has poor ventilation, you might find that mold causes you a big problem. You can get rid of mold just as you would mildew – with bleach.

The best tip for deck stains is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. If you simply wash down and sweep your deck frequently, you can avoid the headache of having to intensely scrub down your deck later. Mold and mildew grow because of locked-in moisture. If you have poor drainage in your yard, for example, your deck can suffer. As well, if you cook outdoors with a Barbecue, your patio will probably be vulnerable to annoying mold and mildew, as these culprits they thrive where there is food, water and temperate weather. So keep your Barbecue clean, and it will be a lot easier to keep your deck clean!

For more information on keeping your deck and patio clean, please read this Deck Cleaning Checklist.