This post was updated on April 27, 2026
Hi, I’m Scott Paul, an exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in deck cleaning and prep. My reviews and helpful tips are based on my extensive background as a wood and deck restoration contractor, as well as actual hands-on testing. I’m here to present you with the best product choices to ensure your deck looks great and performs well for years.See here for more info about me
Best Deck Cleaners for 2026 Tested and Reviewed
With so many deck cleaning solutions available in 2026, it can be tough to know which one will clean effectively without damaging your wood. Over the past 30 years, I’ve researched and tested a wide range of deck cleaners, comparing the pros and cons of each. If you’re still unsure which deck cleaner is right for your project, I’m here to guide you and help you make the best choice for your wood and deck restoration needs.Just post a comment or question below, and I’ll reply as soon as possible.
Keeping your deck clean is one of the most important steps in maintaining its appearance and extending the life of your wood. Over the past 30+ years, we’ve tested dozens of deck cleaning products on everything from older pressure-treated wood to hardwoods like Ipe.
The right deck cleaner will remove dirt, grime, mold, and oxidation without damaging the wood fibers. The wrong one can do more harm than good.
Below are the best deck cleaners based on real-world use, effectiveness, ease of application, and overall results.
🔥 Quick Answer: What Is the Best Deck Cleaner?
- Best Overall Deck Cleaner: Restore-A-Deck Cleaner
- Best for Prep Before Staining: Gemini Restore-A-Deck Cleaner
- Best for Mold & Mildew: RAD Mildew Cleaner & Preventer
If you want a safe, effective option for most decks, stick with an oxygenated wood cleaner.
Steps to Prep Your Deck With a Wood Deck Cleaner
Gather Your Deck Cleaning Solutions and Equipment
- Water! Yes, this is basic, but you cannot clean a deck without a water source.
- Pump Sprayer for applying your deck cleaning solution.
- Deck scrub brush to help agitate the cleaner
- Pressure Washer – Not 100% needed, but it sure makes your deck cleaning faster and easier.
- Gloves, goggles, and masks.
- A Quality Deck Cleaner!
How Wood Deck Cleaners Work on Mold and Mildew
Exterior wood and deck cleaners are designed to clean and prep your wood before applying a fresh coat of stain. These cleaners come in a variety of concentrates, each with its own blend of ingredients. The main job of a deck cleaner is to remove contaminants like dirt, oxidation (graying), mold, algae, and sometimes deteriorated stains that have failed.
However, deck cleaners are not meant to strip old stains completely—a deck stain stripper is required for that job. Most deck cleaners contain caustic soaps that help with scrubbing or pressure washing the wood during prep. Since these cleaners typically raise the wood’s pH, it’s important to follow up with an acidic deck brightener to restore the wood to a neutral pH, ensuring it’s properly prepped for staining.
Wood Deck Cleaning Products Compared: 2026 Reviews
Oxygenated Deck Cleaner
Oxygenated deck cleaners have gained popularity over the past decade, thanks to their effectiveness and environmental friendliness. The key active ingredient is sodium percarbonate, an EPA-registered compound for mold and mildew removal. These cleaners are typically powdered concentrate, mixed with water before being applied to the wood. Best used with a garden pump sprayer, they can be scrubbed in or lightly pressure-washed off.
My Pros:
- Environmentally safe and effective
- Registered by the EPA for mold removal
- Cost-effective
- Excellent at removing contaminants like dirt, grime, and mold
My Cons:
- Requires mixing with water to the desired concentration
- Active for only 30 minutes
- Warm water may be necessary for optimal results
Examples:
- Restore-A-Deck Kits
- Defy Wood Deck Cleaner
- Gemini Restore Kit
Bleach-Based Deck Cleaner
Historically, many deck cleaners relied on sodium hypochlorite, the same active ingredient found in bleach. These cleaners can “whiten” the wood and effectively remove dirt and grime. However, recent studies have shown that bleach-based cleaners may cause damage to the wood’s lignin, which is essential for maintaining the wood’s structure.
My Pros:
- Premixed in liquid form for easy use
- Excellent for mold and algae removal
My Cons:
- Can damage the wood’s cellular structure
- Generally an average cleaner when compared to newer options
Examples:
- 30 Second Deck Cleaner
- Olympic Deck Cleaner
- Clorox Deck Cleaner
- Cabot Wood Cleaner
4 Pro Deck Cleaning Tips for Wood and Composite Decks
Wood restoration can be among the most misunderstood and challenging projects for do-it-yourself homeowners. Remember that a new deck sealer will fail prematurely if the wood is not appropriately cleaned beforehand.
1. Always Prep Before Staining
When wood becomes weathered, it needs to be cleaned before sealing. Cleaning a wooden deck can be difficult for a homeowner who is uneducated or new to the process. The degree of deck prep will vary based on your wood’s condition and age. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments below. Pictures of your wood deck would help me offer the proper advice for cleaning your deck.
2. Deck Clean at a Low-Pressure Wash
Using a pressure washer can be an effective method. However, you must also use the proper cleaners to remove the dirt and grime in the wood. Most people make the mistake of using too much water pressure when using a pressure washer. Wood is pretty soft and can be damaged easily from excessive water pressure.
Turning the pressure down on the washing unit or switching to a spray nozzle with a larger orifice will provide a lower pressure suitable for cleaning. If you use a quality wood cleaner, lower pressure will still give you a deep clean. Wood cleaners break up dirt and debris, allowing less pressure to be adequate for cleaning the wood without risking damage.
My Pro Tip on Pressure Washers: PSI (pounds per square inch) is often misunderstood. When using a 3500 PSI pressure washer, the “3500” would only be at the very tip when it comes out. If you are washing at a safe distance of 8-12 inches away, your PSI will drop roughly in half and is safe for wood. Another important tip is that GPM (gallons per minute) is far more important than PSI. When washing with a GPM of 2-3 per minute, you will wash twice as fast as a machine rates at 1-2 GPM. Use a gas-powered pressure washer. Electric washers are not as effective at cleaning.
3. Always Use a Brightener after Cleaning
Wood deck brighteners, also called deck neutralizers, are acid-based products that neutralize deck cleaners and help lower the pH level, making the wood neutral. This opens the wood pores and brightens the wood, bringing out the grain’s natural beauty. A simple application of deck brightener after cleaning is all needed to complete the proper prep work for an outstanding stain finish that will last.
My Pro Brightening Tip: After applying the wood brightener, let sit for 10-20 minutes and then rinse well until soap suds disappear
4. Let the Wood Dry Before Staining
After the wood has been cleaned, brightened, and rinsed thoroughly, it must dry for a few days. You can check the wood with a moisture meter, but it isn’t necessary. You don’t want to apply a wood sealer to the deck until the moisture level is below 15%. If you don’t have a moisture meter, waiting a few days is usually adequate before sealing.
My Pro Staining Tip: If using the Restore-A-Deck Wood stains, you can skip the drying part. These stains can be applied to a damp or dry deck!
Once your deck is properly cleaned and prepped, the next step is choosing the best deck stain to protect and enhance the wood.
What Is the Best Cleaner for Wood Decks in 2026?
My research has narrowed the field to four top deck cleaning solutions:
- Restore-A-Deck cleaner and brightener kit
- Gemini Restore cleaner kit
- Defy Wood Cleaner
- RAD Mildew Cleaner and Preventer
In general, I like oxygenated deck cleaners. They do a great job and are usually less expensive. Read my reviews to find the best cleaner to make your deck shine!
My #1 Best Deck Cleaner | My #2 Best Deck Cleaner | My #3 Best Deck Cleaner | My Honorable Mention |
 |  |  |  |
From: $64.99 *Ships Free | From: $64.99 *Ships Free | From: $35.99 *Brightener Additional | From: $49.99 *Ships Free |
Top-Rated Wood Deck Cleaner Reviews for Mold and Mildew
1. Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit
Restore-A-Deck is the first manufacturer to offer a deck cleaner and a deck brightener in the same kit. Restore-A-Deck wood deck cleaner comes in a powdered concentrated formula. Each 2-pound container makes 5 liquid gallons. Pour each product into a 5-gallon container and add water to dissolve the powdered concentrate.
- Manufacturer: Restore-A-Deck
- Product Type: Powdered concentrate kit containing deck cleaner and deck brightener
- Available Sizes: 2-pound container (makes 5 gallons)
- Consumer Rating:
- My DeckStainHelp.com Rating: 9.0/10
- Purchase on Amazon Here: Restore-A-Deck Cleaner Prep Kit
- Purchase Direct for Less Here: Purchase Here
2. Gemini Restore Cleaner Kit
Gemini’s Restore cleaner and brightener system is a powerful, “eco-friendly” two-part restoration system. It’s a 100% biodegradable concentrated powder formula that can prep wood surfaces for re-coating with a wood or deck stain and restore weathered gray wood to its natural color. Restore-A-Deck private-labels this for Gemini.
- Where to Buy: Gemini Restore Cleaner Kit
- Product Type: Powdered concentrate kit containing deck cleaner and deck brightener
- Available Sizes: 2-pound container (makes 5 gallons)
- Consumer Rating:
- My DeckStainHelp.com Rating: 9.0/10
- Purchase Direct for Less Here: Purchase Here
| Image | Title | Price | Add to cart | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $69.99 |
3. Defy Wood Cleaner
Defy Wood Cleaner is a safe alternative to chlorine bleach-based cleaners. It removes general dirt, grime, and UV graying while restoring the wood’s natural color tones. It’s an environmentally safe, powdered, oxygen-based concentrate that makes 5 liquid gallons per container.
- Where to Buy: Defy Wood Cleaner
- Product Type: Powdered concentrate
- Available Sizes: 2-pound container (makes 5 gallons)
- Consumer Rating:
- My DeckStainHelp.com Rating: 8.5/10
- Purchase on Amazon Here: Defy Wood Cleaner
- Purchase Direct for Less Here: Purchase Here
| Image | Title | Price | Add to cart | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $47.99 |
Honorable Mention Deck Cleaners for Mildew Removal and Prevention
RAD Guard RTU (Ready-To-Use formula) is a no-rinse cleaner and preventative that is safe and effective for removing and preventing stains caused by mold, mildew, and algae on exterior surfaces and exterior wood or deck stain coatings.
My Pro Tip: RAD Guard RTU is not used to prep wood for wood or deck stain application. The primary goal is to remove mildew or algae stains and prevent them from returning.
- Where to Buy: Restore-A-Deck
- Product Type: Mildew and Algae Cleaner and Preventer
- Available Sizes: 1 Gallon
- Consumer Rating:
- My DeckStainHelp.com Rating: 9.5/10
| Image | Title | Price | Add to cart | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $49.99 | |||
 | $119.99 |
📊 Deck Cleaner Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restore-A-Deck Cleaner | Oxygenated | Medium | Overall cleaning & prep |
| Defy Wood Cleaner | Oxygenated | Medium | Pre-stain prep |
| RAD Mildew Cleaner & Preventer | Eco-Friendly | Light | Mildew cleaning |
Innovations in Deck Cleaning Technology
Pressure washers, scrub brushes, and old-fashioned elbow grease are the most popular deck cleaning tools. However, if you dread the thought of scrubbing your deck, you’re not alone — and you may be in luck.
RoboDeck has developed the deck-cleaning equivalent of the Roomba, designed to make cleaning and maintaining your deck easier than ever. The robotic deck cleaner maps your outdoor space, similar to how Roomba maps your home. Then, it uses built-in sensors and AI to navigate around stairs and ledges while cleaning. It can also identify problems like loose boards or screws.
Safety Tips When Using Deck Cleaners
Before you start cleaning your deck, set yourself up for success by protecting yourself and your outdoor space. Check out the following safety considerations to keep top of mind when planning a deck-cleaning project:
- Move outdoor furniture and decor. Make sure your deck is empty before you start cleaning to avoid damaging furniture or staining outdoor cushions.
- Cover up. Use gloves, long sleeves, and long pants to avoid splatters, and always wear protective glasses. Remember, even the best deck cleaners can cause skin irritation if they get on your skin or in your eyes. Pressure washers can loosen grime and splinters from boards, which could cause injury.
- Store your leftover materials properly. Make sure you store any leftover deck cleaning solutions in their original containers, with the lid screwed on tightly and the bottles placed in a well-ventilated area far from any open flames.
Watch Our Deck Cleaner Video Guide With Pro Tips
❓ Deck Cleaner FAQs
Do I need a Deck Cleaner?
Yes! I highly recommend using a deck cleaning solution to quickly remove dirt and stains while prepping your wood deck for a new coat of deck stain or sealant. Deck cleaners prep your deck surface so it’s clean, undamaged, and in the best possible condition for your next step. Deck Cleaners are more effective and safer than general cleaner options like TSP or Bleach.
Should I Pressure-Wash or Use Deck Cleaner?
It’s actually a good idea to do both. You’ll want to use a good deck-cleaning solution, but you can also speed up the process by using a pressure washer to clean the solution off the deck once it’s done working. Be sure to use low pressure, though: Keep it at 1,600 psi or less to avoid damaging the wood.
Is Deck Cleaner Better Than Bleach?
Yes: Bleach can do a decent job of cleaning off dirt, mold, and mildew, but it can cause long-term damage to the wood. A proper wood deck cleaner is a better option for homeowners looking to keep their wood deck healthy and clean before applying a new layer of stain or wood seal.
Does Deck Cleaner Remove Mold?
Oxygenated deck cleaners, when used in combination with a deck brush, are great at removing mold and mildew that have formed on your wood deck. You’ll have to scrub the cleaner into the wood a bit to make sure all of the mold has been removed before you move on to the next step, but deck wash can be quite effective in getting rid of mold without damaging the wood.
How Often Should I Clean my Wood Deck?
Generally speaking, cleaning your deck at least twice a year is a good idea to reduce the risk of damage from moisture, mold, mildew, and built-up grime. We typically recommend a thorough cleaning in the spring and autumn.
Can I Use a Deck Cleaner on Composite Materials?
Yes, you can use a deck cleaner on composite decks. It’s critical to find the best composite deck cleaner first, though. In many cases, composite wood may require a milder cleaning solution to avoid damaging the material.
Are There Any Environmentally Friendly Deck Cleaners?
Some of the best wood deck cleaners on the market, such as oxygenated deck cleaners, are environmentally friendly. As mentioned above, oxygenated deck cleaners feature sodium percarbonate as the active ingredient.
Sodium percarbonate is an EPA-registered cleaning agent that works quickly and effectively to remove mold and mildew from your wooden deck. It’s also the active ingredient in several of our favorite deck cleaners, such as the Defy Wood Cleaner.
How Do I Prepare My Deck for Cleaning?
In most cases, deck cleaning doesn’t require much prep work to start. Remove all furniture and decor from the deck, then sweep the boards and give them a quick pre-rinse before applying your deck cleaner.
What Does a Deck Brightener Do?
While we’re on the topic of caring for your deck, it’s worth mentioning wood brighteners. After cleaning, brighteners help restore the wood’s natural color, neutralize any cleaning residue, and prep the surface for staining or sealing. They’re a simple extra step that can make a big difference in how fresh and clean your deck looks. Here’s a link to our article on wood brighteners.
🪵 Best Deck Cleaner by Wood Type
Choosing the right cleaner also depends on your wood type.
Pressure Treated Wood
- Oxygenated cleaners work best
- Easy to clean and restore
Cedar & Redwood
- Oxygenated cleaners work best
- Avoid harsh bleach products
Hardwood Decks (Ipe, Cumaru, etc.)
- Oxygenated cleaners work best
- Avoid over-aggressive chemicals
🧠 Cleaner vs Stripper vs Brightener (Know the Difference)
This is one of the most common areas of confusion.
- Deck Cleaner: Removes dirt, mildew, and light graying
- Deck Stripper: Removes old stain or sealer coatings
- Wood Brightener: Neutralizes the wood and restores natural color
👉 In most restoration projects, you’ll use a cleaner + brightener together
👨🔧 Pro Tips from 30+ Years of Deck Cleaning
From our experience restoring hundreds of decks:
- Always pre-wet the wood before applying cleaner
- Never allow cleaner to dry on the surface
- Apply in shaded conditions when possible
- Use a pump sprayer for even coverage
- Pressure wash off at low pressure below 1500 PSI
- Rinse thoroughly to avoid residue
These small steps make a huge difference in final results.
⚠️ Common Mistakes When Cleaning a Deck
Avoid these common issues:
- Using too much pressure when washing
- Skipping the brightener step
- Letting cleaner dry on the wood
- Overusing bleach-based cleaners
- Not testing a small area first
📅 Deck Cleaning Maintenance Schedule
- Light cleaning: Every 6–12 months
- Deep cleaning: Before staining or sealing
- High-traffic areas: Clean more frequently
Regular cleaning prevents long-term damage and keeps your deck looking newer longer.
🔗 Related Deck Prep Guides
Final Thoughts
The best deck cleaner is one that removes contaminants effectively without damaging the wood.
In most cases, an oxygenated deck cleaner is the best choice for overall performance and safety. It provides excellent results while keeping the wood in good condition for future maintenance or staining.
From our experience, choosing the right cleaner — and using it correctly — is just as important as the stain you apply afterward.
I used restore a deck to strip my deck. It worked amazing. Do I need to use a product in the raw wood before I stain?
Just brighten the wood.
I had a solid stain applied last fall. Now that the snow is gone, the oak coloured wood has a lot of white,streaks and spots, seemingly mould and mildew. I used a dry scrub brush to remove what I could. As I’m not staining it again now, what product should I use to continue the cleaning and removal of the white stuff?
Try bleach. 1 part to four parts water. Do a test spot first.
I’ve used restore-a deck 5 times (twice pressure washed) and can’t get all the grey off my ipe. Was finished 3 years ago with clear Messmer’s for hardwoods. Is TSP out of the question? Am I left to sanding?
Yes. Your pressure washing marks will need to come out with sanding.
Thanks. Then restore a deck will take out remaining grey after that?
Most of it. When you stain it will not show.
Does valspar all in one wood prep remove old stain and urathane ? Does it strip wood
No. You cannot remove a urethane with a stripper. It will have to be sanded off.
Hi, I just had an Ipe deck installed. Unfortunately, a painting crew showed up early, and i had to pause before applying oil. The painters covered the deck with brown butcher paper to protect it. Even more unfortunate, it rained that night. When i removed the brown paper the next morning, there are clear “lines” where the water had pooled on the paper. How do I remove the lines so that I can apply my first coat of oil?
Sorry but no idea what will remove these stains. These guys do not know what they are doing. You cannot even stain new wood right away. It has to naturally weather for 3-4 months and be prepped.
I guess we’ll let it weather for the 3-4 months to see how it looks. Then will prep and oil. Thanks
Hello. I am planning to use an oxygenated-based (Sodium Percarbonate) deck cleaner, followed with an acidic (Oxalic Acid) brightener. Is it okay if these two products are of different brands?
Should not be an issue.
Hi I’m looking for a good 5Ltr light oak fence stain / paint that covers really well any suggestions on brand and where to buy ?? . Thanks
Not sure what you mean by “5Ltr”?
Hello, I applied oxyclean with sprayer, let it sit for 10 minutes, then pressure washed to clean pine fence. Is it still necessary to use a wood brighter and what brand would you recommend?
It would help. Any brand should work.
Planning on refinishing our deck but don’t really need to redo much of the upright portion. In the past we have sanded the deck down and restained which is the plan. Had a lot of algae and mold growth this year and scrubbed much of it off. Was thinking of treating the flat boards with borate before restaining. The deck is several years old. Is this recommended and will the borate damage the stain on the uprights? Also, what’s the best grit of sandpaper to use so the wood will take the stain well? Starting to wonder if too fine of a sand is part of the problem casing us to have to refinish often.
60-80 grit. You want the wood porous. Not sure on if a borate will hinder the stain or not.
Hey seen some great questions/answers. Just thinking of doing something with a 2 year old PT wood deck that is about 14 * 18 with metal railings.
What are the best products and procedures? I have heard not to pressure wash. I’ve heard use cleaner and brightened. I’ve also heard just apply sealer.
What are your recommendations and what are the best products? I must state I live in Ontario Canada.
You pressure wash while using a deck cleaner and a wood brightener. You then stain with a penetrating semi-transparent stain. In Canada, you are restricted from any decent brands in stores. Many buy from the states and look at TWP 200 Series or Armstrong Clark.
I have a 2 yr old treated pine deck that hasn’t been finished since completed. How should I prepare it for finish?
Use the Restore A Deck Cleaner/Brightener Kits. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
I live in New England where decks are subject to extreme cold and snow in winter, lots of rain in the spring and hot, humid summer days. I had a new, low level deck out of pressure treated wood (first bad decision) built 7 years ago, 15 x 24. Sealed it myself after letting it sit for one season. It grayed and looked dingy at year 2, so I cleaned it. But I didn’t like the the inconsistency of color, some spots brighter than others, some spots very dark – so I stained it in year 3 with a product from Lowes. Big mistake. The stain began peeling the following season. I lived with it. At year 5 it needed a good cleaning and re-staining. I decided to hire a professional to clean and re-stain with Benjamin Moore Accolade, which is what he recommended. Another big mistake. The finish was a magnet for mildew and pollen and also peeled slightly. So this year, to save $, I decided clean my deck myself. Used Olympic Deck Cleaner to clean the stained deck – based on advice from Home Depot customer service rep. Another bad decision on my part. It took off the mildew and pollen along with removing the stain in several places. It also left a white, powdery film that I cannot get off no matter how much I brush. The professional’s advice is to completely strip the deck, clean, and re-stain. The cost to do so is 50% of what replacing the deck boards will cost me and I am still faced with seasonal cleaning & sealing. I could be a commercial for composite decking or stone patios. Am weighing my options at present.
Post a picture.
Picture posted as requested
The easiest and least expensive thing to do at this point is to pressure wash for prep and apply a solid color stain over all. See if that works well for a couple of years.
That is what the painter did last time for $1200. It lasted one season. Thanks for the input. I decided to remove the boards and go composite.
Have tried to post, however not sure it uploaded
No pic.
I have a two level deck on North side with towering pine trees nearby and a serious discoloration issue. I’d like to try to just clean it and see if I can get by another season before having to resurface again. (I spend more time working on this deck than enjoying it.) Can you provide recommendation?
Try this cleaner while pressure washing to remove the dirt, mildew, and algae: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
Just wondering if you have used Timber Pro UV Clean & Brite deck cleaner or can recommend this product?
Sorry but no.
What to clean my white painted railings with yellow pollen stains on them and not ruin the white paint
Try warm water and dish soap with a soft car wash brush.
The natural wood stain is under a covered porch and the lighter wood is exposed to the outside. What should I use to clean and prepare for a new coat of Cabot’t ATO?
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
Here’s a picture
Installed pressure treated deck prior to last winter (7 months ago). Live here in Ontario Canada. Looking to seal / stain deck. How long do I wait and what is best product – we’re looking at Penofin transparent penetrating oil finish stain and sealer? Also, deck goes around outdoor pool
Penofin turns black. Try TWP 200 Series after prep.
I have a Brazilian hard wood deck ( it has never been stained or treated) it is cleaned when needed with power washer.
I am contemplating an oil treatment. Which product?
I also have significant algea on the under carriage of the deck support beams. Which I assume is some kind of treated wood. What do I do to clean and treat this area?
Use the Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener for the beams. As for the hardwood stain, try Armstrong Clark in one of their 3 hardwood colors. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/armstrong-clark-hardwood-stain-review/
What do you recommend I do to our deck. It is a older treated deck that has been stained. I want to clean it up and if needed restain. In past i used bleach and water to get rid of mildew and mold thha pressure washed if needed or just pressure washed.
Post a picture of the current condition to determine proper prep.
How well do these products work to prepare wood for stain? Better than others which leave residue and/or clog pores interfering with bonding? Any pre-mixed versions??? Thanks.
They work very well. Deck cleaners do not clog pores. Not sure what you mean.
What is the best product to clean a rolled bamboo fence? What is the best product to restore the color?
Sorry, but we do not have experience with bamboo.
Where does oxalic acid cleaner fall here? Such as the behr cleaner/brightener
The Behr Cleaner has been reviewed on this site: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-premium-2-in-1-deck-cleaner-review/
Oxalic acid is a brightener, not a cleaner.
Thank you for the reply. So I’ve been trying to find another big box available deck cleaner that is not oxalic acid nor hypochlorite and there doesn’t seem to be anything available to me locally. They are all bleach based and the odd one is oxalic. So I’ve bought a few tubs of oxiclean type powder because they contain sodium percarbonate. I’m going to make a pretty concentrated solution of it with hot water and wash with that before the oxalic. I will test patch this first.
Does this seem like a reasonable DIY approach given what is available to me? Only other thing I can find is TSP but sounds like that’s harsher stuff plus I don’t see it mentioned on this site much.
Thanks!
You can try it but not sure to the effectiveness.
What should I use to clean a scraped and sanded deck, prior to re-staining with Flood Solid stain, that is over a metal-roofed porch?
Try Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kits.
I just stained my redwood deck with twp 102 Redwood semI transparent. what is the best way to maintain it for next few years
Deck cleaners are not designed to clean general dirt between coatings but rather prep for reapplication. If just wanting to clean dirt, use a car wash brush and water with some dish soap.
Have y’all tested superdeck revive? Thoughts opinions on it? Any other brand that is local box store? Thanks
We have not used this one.
what deck cleaner will not harm metal?
What kind of metal?
Looking for a deck cleaner that is safe if splashed on metal.
Is Valspar all in one wood prep a good product??
Nope.
Thank you. I purchsed Defy cleaner and brightener instead of the Valspar.
Would you recommend using Sodium Metasilicate for cleaning a deck. Is it as good as the Sodium Percarbonate Cleaner?
No, it does not work well by itself. It is used more as an additive for cleaning solutions.
Ok, thank you. That’s probably what the Tsp-pf is then. Was just wondering.
What psi power washer is best for deck cleaning?
It is relative to how close you are when washing the wood. You can use a 3500 psi pressure washer but if you are 8-10 inches away from the wood, you will wash at half that pressure which is fine. If you were 1 inch away, you would gauge the wood.
Last year I applied RAD cleaner and brightener to a new cedar deck and then stained with AC cedar semi transparent stain. It has worn a little and I’m going to restain it. Do I need to clean AND brighten again with RAD before staining or just clean and stain?
Clean and brighten.
My dock needs cleaning. It is already in, sitting on aluminum posts and crossbars. Will I damage the aluminum with the deck cleaner?
No.
We have a 20’x20′ 19-year old pressure treated deck that has never been stained. Pictures attached. We receive full south facing sun most of the day. What do you recommend in terms of treatment and stain? Sand and then wash?
Thanks in advance for any advice and help.
No need to sand. Clean and brighten for the prep. Use Restore A Deck Kits. Stain with a penetrating semi-transparent stain like the Armstrong Clark or Restore A Deck Wood stains.
What is the best stain for composite decking? The decking is old and we do not like the color? How would we prep it, I power wash it and it looks clean enough to apply a product.
Sorry, but we have not stained a composite deck in over 10 years. Not sure what will work well in 2019.
I had a guy pressure wash my 1 year old deck today so I can stain it. He used a soap and bleach mixture and said deck wash is just bleach anyway. Now my deck looks more white than natural wood color. Half my deck is covered so it still looks new. He’s willing to do whatever he needs to do to fix it. Can you make a recommendation to correct this. It’s white and sticky and has many wood fibers and fuzz on it also. How transparent of a stain should I use also so it matches where its covered and uncovered also. You can see the difference in the pics if they uploaded correctly.
To help even out the color, clean and brighten the wood again with the proper prep materials. Look at Restore A Deck Kits. Let dry and stain with Armstrong Clark or Restore A Deck Wood Stains. It will even out.
Clean and brighten the part that still looks new under the covered portion also?
Thanks for your help and just to be clear should we clean and brighten the entire deck including whats covered and still looks new?
Yes.
Behr Deck cleaner does NOT contain bleach(sodium hypochlorite)
It is an oxalic acid dihydrate/enzymes based cleaner. Safe for wood and most exterior surfaces.
It used too. We will update the article. Oxalic acid is a brightener, not a cleaner by the way.
Had our 1 year old cedar deck cleaned and stained this spring. By summer it is filthy and looks like we poured dirt on it and let it sit there. Obviously needs a thorough cleaning again but wondering if we used the wrong stain. Used Sherwin SuperDeck oil based sem transparent Deck stain.
Super Deck has an issue with turning black: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/superdeck-stain-review/
The only good news is that is easily stripped off. Use this: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-injectable-deck-stain-stripper-review/
Switch to the TWP 100 Series after or Restore A Deck Wood Stain.
Our deck was built over a year ago and we let it weather. Yesterday we cleaned it with Olympic brand deck cleaner. One of the sprayers we used had a faulty valve and it sprayed unevenly and now we have bleached out spots in those areas. The rest of the deck looks fine, but those areas are very mottled. What should we do? Do we need to sand it? Reclean it?
Post a picture.
How well does the water based Restore a Deck stain work on Ipe decks? It has been untreated for 14 years. I plan to use a power washer with a Deck Cleaner and Wood Brightener first. Assume for best results I should also sand it? Thanks!
Actually works very well. Easily can be cleaned and reapplied annually. Just one coat of stain. No need to sand it.
We have a cedar deck that we would like to prep for staining. We just installed a powder coated aluminum railing. What deck cleaning product would be safe to use that will not damage the new rail?
All railings of these type are manufactured differently so there is not one brand of cleaner that is going to be okay in every scenario. The only way to know for certain is to test first to confirm there will be no reaction.
My deck is not wood and has a few big stains from sun screen. What can i use to remove then? The regular solution we used with the power washer didn’t work. I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.
You will not be able to remove sunscreen oil out of wood with a deck cleaner or wood brightener. Not sure if anything will work.
Hi, first time home owner. do I need to clean and power wash my deck? Please see attached photos. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated. Thank you.
I used restore a deck cleaner and brightener today on my one year old unstained cedar deck. I plan on staining it next week with Armstrong Clark oil based stain. I vigorously scrubbed the deck with a stiff brush then went over it with a pressure washer as recommended then scrubbed again and rinsed. After applying brightener, my deck is still blotchy with white spots, particularly around area with knots, but also in other areas too. Do I need to repeat the cleaner scrubbing and brightener process, or can I stain it as is?
That is oxidation of the wood fibers that did not come off fully. It typically does not show when stained.
We have decided to sand the spots off with 80 grit. Should I reapply the cleaner and brightener afterwards to “open the pores” of the wood?
We are spot sanding the discoloration off with 80 grit. Do we need to reapply the cleaner and brightener after to “open the pores” and prep the mood for stain?
Yes.
Our friend has a cabin that has some black mold and moss on it. What would be the best product to clean it and prep it for staining.
Try the Restore A Deck prep products.
I need to clean my deck which has no stain, has green mold in some spots and gray in color. I also have shrubs and flowers at the end of the deck. My question is will this hurt my plants? Is it okay to do now or should I wait till fall?
my deck has been stained with TWP cedar and now it has to be cleaned. What an I use that will not ruin the cedaar that it has on it.
Try warm water with dish soap. Use a soft brush like the ones you used to wash your car.
I had new pressure treated deck boards put on last summer but did not get around to staining them.
I had it power washed this spring, but had a outdoor rug under a table at the time.
Now, after I sold the table and rug, I have a big rug mark where the rug was.
I also still have some pot marks left after the power washing.
What do I need to do to the stains to remove them.
You cannot remove water stains from the pots. Thos are permanent. as for the rug area, leat all wood season exposed for another few months and then clean brighten the wood. It should even out.
Before I found your site I used a mix of tsp, Clorox and water and then pressure washed my old pressure treated pine deck. It came out looking very good. Is it now ready to stain after letting it dry out several days?
It is not the optimal way to prep but it should be okay to stain.
Thank you for the reply. Next time I’ll know better.
We have a 1 year old cedar deck that has never been treated. My husband wants to apply Thomson’s water seal in cedar and therefore started to clean the deck to prep (he just wanted to brush it off but I insisted it be cleaner). We bought CIL Scrub-Free cleaner from HomeDepot . Didn’t realize it was bleach-based until he started using it. It seems to have cleaned in some places and not others so the deck is now very mottled looking. Package says you can apply again if needed and that you may have to scrub for a very weathered deck. But after the initial results, am worried about doing a 2nd application. Suggestions?
Use a preopper deck cleaner and then pressure wash it off. Brighten the wood after.