How To Clean Composite Decking With Bleach

Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Your Composite Deck

Stay at least 8 inches (20.32 cm) away from the deck surface at all times and spray in the direction of the wood grain to avoid possible damage. Pressure washers can damage the boards of your deck if they're not used carefully. Never point or spray the full pressure at yourself, another person, or pets. Small pieces of flying debris can also cause harm or damage.

Taking Care Of Composite Decking Home Guides Sf Gate

A decking company recently contacted us for advice on how to prevent mold from growing under the deck. One of the biggest contributing factors to this problem is a simple step most people overlook during their regular cleaning – the gaps! Dirt and debris can build up over time collecting moisture providing the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Depending on your climate, the gaps between your deck boards should be cleared out at least once a year. This will allow the air to pass between the boards helping to keep the underside nice and dry.

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. Pour yourself a tall cup of coffee, put on some tunes and get started. It really depends on the results your Composite Deck Cleaner can deliver. You don’t have to pressure wash a Trex Deck with Spray and Clean Deck Cleaner.

How To Power Wash Composite Decking

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Don't use power washers or chlorine bleach to wash your deck. Power washers can sometimes be too powerful and could damage the wood forever. Instead of using a power washer, use a pressurized adjustment on your hose or a lighter pressure spray machine.

How Long Do Composite Decks Last?

• One of the best ways to care for your deck is to clean it regularly - don’t let it get past the point of no return.
• If you are reading a product label, Chlorine Bleach is referred to as Sodium Hypochlorite.
• Trex Decks can last a lifetime and will maintain their quality but sometimes they show their age.
• Chlorine Bleach has been proven to kill bacteria and viruses on non-porous surfaces, but has not been proven effective in killing mold from porous surfaces, such as composite decking.
• Another way of maintaining a clean composite deck is after the cleaning is complete to apply a water sealer made specifically for composite decking.

Sweep the deck and apply the product directly to the stain. Saturate the area and allow it to sit on the stain for about 15 minutes. Use a deck brightener than contains oxalic acid on tannin stains.

Can I Use A Pressure Washer On My Composite Decking?

If this happens, check with the deck manufacturer to see their approved list of stronger cleaners. When you are finished carefully scrubbing the composite decking, rinse away the remainder of the soap and any leftover dirt. Capped composite decking is usually referred to as simply “composite decking,” and we will be referring to the shortened version throughout this post. Capped composite decking is one of the most popular and most efficient decking available on the market. To clean a deck with bleach, start by spraying the deck with a hose to loosen any caked-on dirt or debris.

Infographic On Cleaning Composite Decking

Make sure that all of the bleach solution is rinsed away before letting your deck air dry. Letting the suds sit on the deck will allow the oxygen bleach to absorb the dirt and algae on your deck. It's important that you don't let the solution thoroughly dry on the deck, or it can leave a film on the surface. Mix warm water and powdered oxygen bleach into a bucket. Pour 2 gallons (3.78 l) of warm water in a 5-gallon (18.92 l) bucket. Add 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach and mix the solution together using the sponge or brush that you'll be using to scrub down your deck. Continue to mix the solution until the components are well incorporated.

Trex decking and railing products should be disposed with normal construction debris or household waste. » Refer to for a care and cleaning guide for Trex Early-Generation Composite and PVC decking.