Cleaning Composite Trex Decks

I noticed that after using the chlorine bleach based products that contain sodium hypochlorite to remove the mold, the mold never was completely removed. I noticed black spots only when the deck was still wet. In fact, all I was doing was removing the dead surface layer of the mold and was watering the mold roots. See the links on the Corte Clean web site to OSHA, the EPA and Spore-Tech before using chlorine bleach on a POROUS surface like Trex composite decking.

This should be enough to remove any dirt without damaging the composite decking. If scrubbing by hand with a scrub brush, create a cleaner using 1/3 cup of laundry detergent and one gallon of water.

In fact, there are some mistakes that can actually increase the regular care required to maintain a composite deck. Here are a few tips to avoid the extra work and get the most out of your deck. While you may be tempted to wait until your next routine cleaning to remove the food, it should be done immediately or else staining might result. Thankfully, composite decking is easily cleaned with the soap-and-water method or basic power washing. Calcium-chloride ice melts are usually safe for composite decking and our recommended solution. This compound is highly effective at melting ice without damaging the composite surface.

Cleaning Composite And Wood Decking

Removing Mold, Tree Sap And Mildew Stains On Composite Deck Railings

After washing each board, rinse decking thoroughly with fresh water. When completed, rinse the deck off with water, a pressure washer and/or a scrub brush will assist in the cleaning process. Though bleach will not damage the structure of the deck the way it will with wood and vinyl decks, it could lighten the surface of your composite deck. This is true for products that contain acid as well.

Pressure Washing Your Composite Decking

On the other hand, when it comes to the best way to clean composite decking, the answer looks quite different from cleaning methods for natural decking. To maintain the beauty and functionality that you want from your deck, a little care and cleaning can go a long way. You can then use your garden hose or a pressure washer to rinse the surface of the deck. Try to time your deck cleaning project for nice weather.

• You can perform a semiannual cleaning on your composite deck to preserve its longevity.
• The best part of composites is that, with the exception of food stains, you only have to clean your deck for aesthetic reasons.
• Simply scrub the solution into the decking one section at a time and rinse.
• For wood decks, not cleaning often enough can lead to more costly maintenance.
• All you need to make your natural composite deck cleaner is some soap, water, vinegar, and baking soda and a soft bristle brush to remove dirt, debris, and other grime.

Capped composite decking is made of a precise blend of vinyl and wood and then surrounded with a vinyl coating or cap. It is engineered to repel dirt, be easy to clean, require little maintenance, and highly customizable in its designs and colors. Once you have swept the deck, use a pump sprayer to spray it with the best wood deck cleaner.

These cleaners are usually sprayed on, worked into the grain with a deck brush for even coverage, and then rinsed off with a garden hose. All-purpose wood deck cleaners contain detergents to dissolve surface dirt, spills, and grime. They’re available pre-mixed or in concentrated crystal or liquid form . The cleaners are typically applied to the decking with a sprayer or deck brush, spread evenly with a mop, and then rinsed off with a garden hose.

But the only solution to the problem of deck mildew IÂve found is to clean the deck well with a scrub brush and a dilute mixture of TSP (1/4 cup per gallon) or even a non-phosphate detergent. After it is rinsed and dried, I wait for a sunny hot day and then use a garden sprayer to cover the deck surface with a dilute solution of bleach (I use 1/4 cup per gallon).

Sure, you could raze the deck completely, getting rid of all of that moldy, mildewed wood, recycling it and making it someone else's problem, and then start all over again by building a new one. But that's not always possible, nor is it the best or most feasible choice. If this is the year you’re going to restore and refinish your deck, then the first step you’re going to need to take is cleaning it. As many people are becoming more environmentally conscious with their shopping habits, you may wish to avoid some of the more common chemical-based deck cleaners.