Wood Deck Maintenance and Cleaning
Regular wood deck maintenance and cleaning keeps your deck looking like new and makes it an inviting place to relax. Exposure to the elements makes the deck look worn and gray, but cleaning with the right products as a part of wood deck upkeep brightens the wood, removes sap and keeps mildew and algae at bay.
Follow all deck maintenance product instructions for use, safety, storage and disposal. Wear the necessary protective gear, including eye protection, cleaning gloves and boots. Wear eye protection and a respirator when sanding a deck.
Wood Deck Maintenance Products: Cleaners and Wood Strippers
Start your wood deck maintenance project by choosing the right deck cleaner and wood stripper. The type of deck cleaner you need depends on the condition of the deck, as well as your deck cleaning and maintenance plans.
Get step-by-step instructions for how to clean a treated wood deck as well as how to stain and seal the wood with our how-to project, How to Clean, Seal or Stain a Deck.
Removing Dirt and Stains From a Wood Deck
If dirt and stains from mold, mildew, tannins and rust are the problem, using deck cleaners and brighteners properly is one of the best ways to remove stains from a deck.
- Deck cleaners remove dirt, mildew and mold. Chlorine bleach deck cleaners might list sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite on the label. These chemicals eliminate mildew.
- Oxalic acid deck cleaners or brighteners are effective at removing tannin stains. This property makes them particularly helpful with cedar and redwood decking. Oxalic acid deck cleaners also remove rust stains.
- You can also find biodegradable products that are free of bleach, acid and phosphates.
The instructions on a deck cleaner show you how to clean a treated wood deck and how to remove stains from a wood deck. Typically, the basic steps for removing stains from a deck are simple:
- Rinse and cover nearby plants.
- Apply the deck cleaner with a tank sprayer and allow the cleaner to work for a few minutes.
- Scrub with a stiff brush, if necessary, to remove tough stains from a wood deck.
- Thoroughly rinse the cleaner from the wood.
- Uncover and rinse nearby plants.
For a composite deck, use a product formulated specifically for composite decking or use dishwashing detergent and water. Wood-deck cleaners are too strong and may cause composite materials to fade. For patios, use cleaners that work well on concrete surfaces.
A tank sprayer lets you apply cleaners and strippers evenly and saves time. Just make sure you don’t use a sprayer you previously used for pesticides.
Removing Wood Stain From a Deck
While deck cleaners and brighteners remove the stains grease and mildew cause, removing a pigmented exterior wood stain or stain-and-sealer product is a different process. Removing wood stain from a deck requires you to strip the stain from the wood before applying any other products. Removing these stains from a deck requires a wood stripper product. Follow the instructions for your wood stripper, but in general:
- Rinse and cover plants near the deck.
- Apply the wood stripper and let it work for about 15 minutes.
- Use a high-pressure spray nozzle or a low-power pressure washer (less than 1,000 pounds per square inch) to rinse the wood stripper away.
- Neutralize the stripper according to the product instructions.
- Rinse the nearby plants thoroughly.
Wood Deck Maintenance Products: Stains and Sealers
After cleaning a pressure-treated wood deck , you need to stain and seal it. Stain-and-sealer products extend the life of your wood deck and keep it looking great. Most exterior stains include a sealer. The pigmentation in the stain adds color and protects the deck from ultraviolet (UV) damage. The sealer creates a protective barrier, helping the wood resist damage from moisture, mold, mildew, insects and rot. Water beading on a wood deck is an indication that your sealant is doing its job.
Stain-and sealer products are typically water based, oil based or hybrid.
- Water-based products offer easier cleanup and less odor.
- Oil-based products tend to penetrate deeper for a longer-lasting stain, but take longer to dry.
- Hybrid or oil-modified stain-and-sealer-products combine benefits of both water- and oil-based products.
Stain-and-sealer products are available in a range of transparencies:
- Clear stains show off the natural beauty of the woodgrain.
- Semitransparent stains balance the look of the woodgrain with color.
- Solid stains add the most color and UV protection.
You can also find transparent, semi-transparent and semi-solid stains within the range. Color and tint options include typical wood shades and bolder options such as reds, blues and greens. See our guide, Exterior Wood Stains for Every Outdoor Project, for details on the different exterior stains and sealers available for wood deck upkeep.
Standalone, transparent wood sealers and waterproofers protect decks from moisture, mold and mildew but don’t add any pigments to the wood.
The frequency of retreating or recoating varies by product. Follow the product recommendations for how often you should retreat your deck.
Wood Deck Maintenance Products: Resurfacers
A resurfacer or restoration product is an alternative to a stain and sealer. Deck resurfacers improve the appearance of moderately weathered decks, covering small imperfections. These finishes are like a very thick paint and don’t show any woodgrain. You apply a resurfacer with a brush or roller.
Wood Deck Maintenance Products: Stain and Paint Problems
Without proper preparation and application, deck paints and stains peel, leaving you with an unsightly deck that’s not protected from the elements. Before applying any stain, sealer or paint the deck must be dry, clean and able to accept the finish. Here are some tips for stained and painted deck maintenance:
- Allow the treated lumber on a new wood deck to dry. The chemicals that protect the lumber take from several weeks to several months to dry. Applying a finish too soon results in peeling.
- After cleaning a deck during wood deck maintenance, make sure the surface is dry. As with new treated wood, finishes trap moisture in the wood, leading to peeling.
- Follow the product steps for preparation. You might need to remove the existing sealer or paint for the new product to adhere correctly. Make sure the air temperature and moisture level are within the application range of the product.
- Read the application instructions. More stain, sealer or paint doesn’t always mean more protection. Too much finish traps moisture in the wood, leading to peeling.
If the stain or paint is already in poor shape, here are the products you need and the basic steps for how to restain a deck that’s peeling:
- Use a deck cleaner to remove dirt, mildew, etc. Allow the wood to dry thoroughly. Remove any remaining dust and debris.
- Sand areas where the stain or paint is peeling. Use a wood stripper to remove remaining stain if necessary, being sure to neutralize it according to the instructions.
- Apply the new stain-and-sealer product according to the manufacturer instructions.
Before applying a finish to your deck, check in several locations to see if water beads on the surface. If water beads and the wood doesn’t darken or doesn’t absorb it within about 10 minutes, the deck isn’t ready for a finish. For a new deck let the wood dry fully. For existing decks, strip away the existing sealer and sand the deck.