How to Clean Deck Wood

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Last Updated: October 2, 2022

Your deck needs to be cleaned and maintained to look its best. Cleaning your deck will ensure the wood is free of grime, dirt, and debris. To clean deck wood, start by prepping the deck properly. Then, clean the deck with a scrub brush or a pressure washer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Prepping the Deck for Cleaning

1
Water and cover any plants by the deck. If there are any plants, bushes or shrubs around the deck, water them well. Then, use a plastic tarp to cover the plants. This will protect the plants from the pressure washer and the cleaner that you are going to use on the deck.
2
Sweep the deck. Use a broom to sweep up any leaves, twigs, or debris on the deck. Make sure you get as much surface dirt and dust off the deck as you can. This will make cleaning the deck easier and faster.^{[1]
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3
Rinse the deck with a garden hose. Use lukewarm water to rinse the deck. Rinsing it will help to remove surface dirt and debris. It will make the deep clean of the deck easier to do.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning the Deck with a Scrub Brush or Broom

1
Pour the cleaning solution in a bucket. You can use white distilled vinegar and water to create an all natural cleaning solution for the deck. Vinegar is a good option as it will remove mildew, mold, and dirt on the wood. Combine 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon water. Then, pour it in a bucket with a wide top.^{[3]
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- You can also use wood cleaner or professional deck cleaner. Dilute the cleaner with one part cleaner and one part water. Make sure the deck cleaner does not contain bleach, as this can damage the wood.
EXPERT TIP

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Trick: Make your own cleaner by mixing 2-3 gallons of warm water, 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach (which is different from normal chlorine bleach), and 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid. Spread this across your deck, let it sit for about 30 minutes, and then rinse the solution off with a water hose.
2
Dip a broom or scrub brush in the bucket. Use a broom with clean bristles or a scrub brush with a long handle. Submerge the bristles of the broom or brush in the cleaning solution.^{[4]
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3
Scrub the deck in the direction of the wood grain. Run the broom or scrub brush over the deck wood. Make sure you scrub with the grain, not against it. Focus on any thick dirt or debris on the deck, rubbing it with the broom or brush.^{[5]
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- Make sure you get any corners or crevices on the deck using the brush or broom. If the broom cannot fit in these areas, use a small sponge.
4
Rinse off the cleaning solution. Once you have scrubbed down the deck completely, use a garden hose to rinse off the cleaning solution. Use a low spray setting to wash off the cleaning solution on the deck.^{[6]
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5
Let the deck air dry. The deck may take a day or two to dry, depending on how sunny it is outside. If you used a vinegar cleaning solution, the vinegar smell should dissipate as the deck dries.^{[7]
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- Once the deck dries, you can replace any wood board that are rotting. You can also stain the deck to protect it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning the Deck with a Pressure Washer

1
Get a pressure washer with a fan tip. A pressure washer is great for cleaning deck wood, as it allows you to deep clean the wood quickly and efficiently. Make sure the pressure washer has a fan tip, as this will ensure it does not blast water too hard on the wood.
- You can rent a pressure washer from your local hardware store or buy one online. If you plan to wash the deck often, you may want to invest in a pressure washer.
2
Pour cleaning solution into the pressure washer. You can use wood cleaner or a deck cleaner to clean the deck wood. Mix one part cleaner with one part water. Then, pour the cleaning solution into the soap dispenser on the pressure washer.^{[8]
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- You can buy wood cleaner and deck cleaner at your local hardware store or online. Make sure the cleaner does not contain bleach, as bleach can damage the wood over time.
- For an all natural option, mix 1 cup white distilled vinegar with 1 gallon water to make a vinegar cleaning solution.
3
Apply the cleaning solution to the deck. Use the pressure washer to apply the cleaning solution to the deck wood. Make sure you get cleaner on the entire deck, including any corners or crevices. Apply the cleaning solution in long strokes over the wood.^{[9]
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4
Let the cleaner sit on the wood. Professional deck and wood cleaners need time to seep into the wood. Let the cleaner sit on the wood for 10-20 minutes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the label for the exact amount of time.^{[10]
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5
Spray the deck down with the pressure washer. Once the cleaner has sat on the wood for the recommended amount of time, spray the deck down using the pressure washer. Make sure the pressure washer has the fan tip or the widest spray nozzle when you spray down the deck. Remove all of the cleaner on the deck with the pressure washer using fluid, sweeping motions.^{[11]
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- Make sure you keep the nozzle two feet away from the deck and do not get closer than six inches to avoid damaging the wood.
6
Allow the deck to air dry. The deck may need a day or two to dry completely, depending on how hot it is outside. Do not walk on the deck while it dries.^{[12]
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- Once the deck dries, you can replace any soft, rotting wood boards on the deck. You can also stain the deck to protect the wood.