Hello, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck and wood prepping. My wood deck cleaning tips are based on my experience as a wood restoration contractor and hands-on testing. See here for more info about me.
- Use a deck cleaner for gray, dirty wood and a deck stain stripper only when removing old stain or failing coatings.
- Pre-wet the deck and surrounding vegetation before applying cleaner; rinse thoroughly afterward to prevent plant damage.
- Keep pressure washing between 1500 and 2000 PSI, use a fan tip, and always follow the wood grain to avoid permanent damage.
- Always follow cleaning with a wood deck brightener to neutralize the cleaner, restore pH balance, and improve stain absorption.
- Let the wood dry for at least 24 to 48 hours before applying any deck stain or sealer.
Please ask any questions below that you may have in our comment area.
✅ How to Clean a Wood Deck (Quick Answer)
To clean a wood deck properly:
- Remove debris and loose dirt
- Apply a deck cleaner or wood cleaner
- Let it dwell (do not let it dry)
- Scrub or lightly agitate the surface
- Rinse thoroughly with a pressure washer
- Apply a wood brightener to restore the wood
Prepping and Cleaning a Deck
If you own a deck, you know the wood faces exposure to harsh outdoor elements all year long. That includes ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, rain, ice, dirt, pollen, bird droppings, and much more. However, you might not have properly cleaned yours. Cleaning a deck with a top-quality wood deck cleaner will help loosen dirt, remove any grayish oxidation, and kill mold, mildew, and algae. It’s a must for regular maintenance and in preparation for applying fresh deck stain.
✅ When Should You Clean a Deck?
- Before staining
- After winter buildup
- When mildew or dirt is visible
Pro Tip: Deck Cleaners are designed only to be used when you are going to reapply your stain. To remove dirt only, use warm water, a bit of dish soap, and a very soft bristle car wash brush.
Equipment to Clean Your Wood Deck
What You’ll Need to Bring
Gather the following supplies for the cleaning project:
- Goggles, gloves, and similar personal protective equipment
- 5-gallon (or similar size) mixing bucket
- A pump sprayer
- A stiff scrub brush
- A power washer rated at 3000 psi or lower
- A high-quality wood deck cleaning product. (see my best deck cleaner post)
Preparing Your Deck for Cleaning
Before cleaning a deck, I always remove obstructions such as furniture, planters, and grills. Next, I’ll sweep the deck or use a leaf blower to thoroughly clear off dirt, leaves, and debris. To avoid accidental damage, I recommend covering gardens or other items with a tarp.
Next, you’ll select your product. Decide if you should use a deck cleaner or a deck stain stripper. Use a deck cleaner if the wood is gray and dirty. If you have an old deck stain that needs to be removed, you should use a deck stain stripper, as the deck cleaner is not aggressive enough to remove stains.
✅ When Do You Need a Deck Cleaner vs a Stripper?
- Cleaner: Light dirt, mildew, maintenance
- Stripper: Removing old stain or failing coatings. Switching stain brands or color.
Do you need more help on whether you should strip or clean the deck? See my Best Deck Prep. Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck.
My Deck Cleaning Tips for Success!
- Ensure the deck is clear of all furniture and grills before starting.
- First, decide if you should use a deck cleaner or a deck stain stripper. Use a deck cleaner if the wood is gray and dirty. If you have an old deck stain that needs to be removed, you should use a deck stain stripper, as the deck cleaner is not aggressive enough to remove stains. Do you need more help on whether you should strip or clean the deck? See my Best Deck Prep. Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck.
- Pre-wet the deck before applying the deck cleaner. Take precautions to wet all vegetation and the surrounding house. Most deck cleaners will not harm plants as long as you pre-wet and rinse off any residual cleaner that comes in contact with them.
- Wait about 5-15 minutes for the cleaner to activate. On hot days, mist the deck with water to prevent the cleaner from drying.
- Using a stiff scrub brush, agitate the deck until the wood comes clean. A pressure washer at 1500-2000 psi or less will speed up this process.
- If any stubborn areas persist, then repeat the process.
- After thoroughly cleaning the deck, rinse the house, deck, plants, etc., to remove all the loosened grime.
- Using a Wood Deck Brightener will boost the wood’s appearance. The brightener neutralizes the deck cleaner and “brightens” the wood to a more natural state.
- Let the wood dry for at least 24-48 hours before applying a deck stain or sealer.
A front porch partially cleaned and brightened.
Can I Clean My Deck Without a Pressure Washer?
Yes! Although a pressure washer helps to speed up the process, a garden hose with a good nozzle can also rinse your deck reasonably well. Doing it this way will require more scrubbing while using your wood cleaner.
✅ How to Pressure Wash a Deck Safely
- Use 1500-2000 PSI.
- Keep the nozzle moving
- Use a fan tip (not pinpoint)
- Follow the wood grain
Pro Insight: You can use a 3000 PSI machine. When you wash 8-12 inches away from the wood, the pressure drops roughly in half.
Pressure Washing Tips for Deck Cleaning
Power washing can speed up the deck cleaning process, but it should only be used by those with experience. Improper use can damage the wood and result in costly repairs. If you do choose to use a power washer, follow these guidelines to avoid harming your deck:
-
Always use a deck cleaner or deck stain stripper first. These products do 90% of the cleaning work. The power washer should only be used to rinse off the loosened grime—not as the main cleaning method.
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Treat the power washer like a rinse tool, not a scrub brush. Use it to gently wash away the cleaner or stripper, not to grind dirt off the surface.
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Use a sweeping, pendulum-style motion. Work with the grain of the wood and never pause or reverse direction without lifting the wand. Failing to maintain a smooth motion can leave permanent “stop marks” in the wood.
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Keep pressure between 1500–2000 PSI. Even if you’re using a 3000 PSI machine, distance matters. Washing from 8–12 inches away will reduce the effective pressure to a safer level for wood surfaces.
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Exercise caution. If you’re unsure about your technique or have never used a power washer on wood before, it’s best to hire a professional. Incorrect use can permanently damage your deck.
Expert Tip: The biggest mistake when cleaning a deck is using too much pressure or improper technique—it can permanently damage the wood fibers.
✅ Deck Cleaning FAQs
How often should you clean a deck?
At least once per year to remove general dirt, grime, etc., or before staining.
Can you clean a deck without a pressure washer?
Yes, but heavy scrubbing will be required.
Do you need to brighten wood after cleaning?
Yes, to restore pH balance and improve stain absorption.
What is the best cleaner for a wood deck?
Oxygenated cleaners.
✅ Deck Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too much pressure
- Letting cleaner dry on the wood
- Skipping brightener
- Not rinsing thoroughly
- Using household bleach improperly
My Top 4 Deck Cleaner Reviews
See this link for my in-depth article and deck cleaner reviews.
My #1 Best Deck Cleaner | My #2 Best Deck Cleaner | My #3 Best Deck Cleaner | My Honorable Mention |
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From: $64.99 *Ships Free | From: $64.99 *Ships Free | From: $35.99 *Brightener Additional | From: $49.99 *Ships Free |
Best Deck Cleaner 2026 Video
Watch my deck cleaning video!
Hello Scott:
I forgot the picture.
Pictures?
Hello:
Can we use mixed solution of chlorine and water to clean a pressure treated wood new deck weather for 8 mo in Acworth, GA. What is the best semi-transparent stain?
Thank you for your help with this matter
See here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Best way to prep IPE that is in very good shape? (just graying).
Clean and brighten the wood is best:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
Thanks, Scott! Next weekend project!
Send pics when done!
Before, during, and after.
Looks great! Ipe does require annual upkeep, especially in full sun. What stain brand did you use? You should be able to clean and recoat as needed.
I used Defy products for both cleaning and staining.
thanks.Is a deck cleaner the same as a “Restore” or “Remove” deck product?
It’s strange, because the brighter I used even left white film on a new unweathered board. It did not revive it.
No, a proper cleaner is not the same as a “remove” product. You are misunderstanding what a brightener does. You cannot use it by itself.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-is-a-deck-brightener-and-why-use-one/
I used a brighter on my thermal wood deck and now it’s turned whitish, rough and did not remove all the algae. What do you recommend to bring it back to natural tone and do you seal it with oil?
You have to use a deck cleaner first and pressure wash. Brighener after:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
In ur pro opinion would u go with defy extreme or rad stain
Both are very good but we like the RAD better.
Thank u. I just ordered the package I have a gallon of defy and it does seem good but i think im going to take ur advice. I think i will use the defy on my pool deck and the rad on my 65 x8 front porch deck that is covered. Thanks again
I’ve got a 20 year old, glulam beam that will sanded down to bare wood, (I plan to stain with TWP 100 – Rustic). Do I need to apply a brightener prior to staining? Or can I stain the beam as-is?
What grit paper did you sand with?
80 grit to remove the old stain (unfortunately Behr), then I lightly smoothed it out with 150 grit.
Once you go more than 80 it smooths the wood to smooth for stain. You should clean and brighten it to open up the pores.
Also, I forgot to mention we are in Portland Oregon. Our weather is starting to turn, so we are wanting to stain the exposed beam before the rain comes.
Advanced Deck over with texture redwood color…… seams to peal in large sections after a few years. Is it common that it wrinkles and peals like this?
Yes, it is a very poor product: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-review-updated/
I’m looking to restain (same color) an existing solid deck that hasn’t been stained in 4 years. Am I understanding correctly that I can apply Restore-a-deck cleaner and then put my solid stain over that or do you recommend always sanding solid stain off before reapplying a new/same color coat? Thanks in advance.
No need to sand it all off but do make sure you sand or remove any stain that is loose and not intact.
Thank you for your prompt response. Do you have a recommendation for best solid stain for a SE Michigan deck. Current application is ArborCoat.
Try the Restore A Deck Solid Stains: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-solid-color-stain-review/
I have a 2-yr old pine, pressure treated deck that has yet to be stained. Before applying stain (Armstrong Clark on your recommendation) I plan to prep the wood with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener (Also on your recommendation). It is the prep that I have questions about. First, there are a few boards with some furring/fuzzies – Should I sand them off with 80 grit? If I do sand them, do I then have to sand all of the deck to get even staining? If I use a scrub pad instead of sandpaper to remove this furring, do I similarly need to go over the whole deck with the scrub pad to get even staining? Should furring removal be done before cleaning and brightening? Lastly, what bristle stiffness do you recommend for the deck brush used with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner, and can such a brush effectively remove furring? Also, can too stiff of a deck brush create furring?
Thank you –
Prep first and then see here to remove any furring. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/
Furring will happen if your deck has sat for two years without protection.
I have a old deck that has been stained with a Floods solid stain for the second time probably 9 years ago and looks good other than a couple small spots that are peeling on the railing. Should I just use Restore a Deck cleaner and power wash?
I wanted to refresh the whole deck as I added a new pressure treated wood cap on the railing and wanted to know which product would be best to use TWP 100 or TWP 1500 for this application?
If neither product is a good choice want would you recommend?
Thank you
You cannot apply a semi-transparent stain like TWP over a solid stain. You would have to remove the solid stain fully first and that would require power sanding. Your other option is to clean and then recoat with another solid stain.
I cleaned and brightened deck, but haven’t been able to stain because of weather. Is a 2 week gap before staining ok?
It should be. Make sure it is free of debris, etc.
Planning to strip then brighten my deck using the restore a deck products then stain with the TWP–all of which I just purchased from you. Question: I am heading out of town–is it OK to strip and brighten, then let the deck sit for 1 week before I stain?
Yes.
Hey guys – I am in the process of prepping my deck for stain and had a couple quick questions. I put brand new deck flood boards on the deck 2.5 months ago and left the spindles and handrails alone since they were in pretty good shape.
I am planning on using the Benjamin Moore prep product since I am not able to get the RAD kit in time. Benjamin Moore has a Clean product and Restore product. Based off the attached pictures do you think I could get away with the Clean product instead of Restore and then a brightener on the entire deck before staining?
Also, if I have to sand off any fuzzies should this be completed after the clean stage but before the brightener?
Thanks guys and appreciate all the excellent info on this site!
Have you read this about new wood? https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
After the proper wait as the stain brand suggests, you will need to clean and then brighten the deck. If you need to sand fuzzies, do that after cleaning.
Thanks guys – should I use a deck brush to clean all surfaces including the new deck boards after spraying the cleaning product on – or can I just pressure wash off the cleaning product?
Use a deck cleaner and then pressure wash off.
If I’m going to stain a deck and paint the railing, when should I clean the deck? I’ve already sanded the deck. I bought Behr All-In-One wood cleaner and I’m ready to start cleaning.
The Behr prep is not very good. use a cleaner and brightener system like the Restore A Deck kits: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
As for one to stain, is the wood new or older?
Can I sand algae away from cedar decking instead of using a liquid product?
That does not work very well.
Hi,
I am going to use the RAD Stripper, cleaner and then brightened as you suggested before staining my older deck. But I need to have a few random boards replaced here and there. I know I have to wait to stain them until they dry out. But can I still do the stripping, cleaning and brightening now ? And then in the fall possibly stain? Or do I need to do it all at the same time?
I was hoping I could do it now so I could at least maybe stain the railing. That will take a long time.
Thank you!!
Do it all at the same time in the Fall.
Should I sand before or after cleaning/brightening the deck? Also, is it fine to clean/brighten the day after it rains?
Sand first. You can prep after rain.
Great to know. I also just noticed a splinter in one of my boards. Would I be able to stain over it? If not, what would you recommend I do to fix it? Thanks for your help!
Sand the splinter.
Sounds good. Should I break it off before sanding?
Sure.
What about the holes where the deck was nailed . Nail hole 1/4in was Nader top of board
Not sure what you are asking?
Will a cleaner or brightener affect colored masonry block or stucco
No, it will not.
it has been raining for 2 days so deck is soaked. once it stops raining how long do I need to wait to use RAD cleaner?
A few hours.
Hi,
I used the cleaner and brightener on 3year old deck then stained railing and half the large deck with twp. I was unable to finish due to rain on the weekends for the last month. I believe I need to reapply cleaner and brightener before I finish staining unstained sections. My question is if it is okay if the cleaner and brightener get over sprayed onto the new stained sections or do I need to make sure the cleaner brightener only get applied on the old deck. I don’t want the cleaner/brightener to affect/discolor the new stained sections.
Thanks,
Just lightly wash with water and then brighten the wood again. It will not harm the stain.
I am going to redo my deck with pressure treated wood. My contractor says it has to be power washed before having it stained. Is this a common practice? Thank you.
Yes. Has to be prepped.
Thank you.
I pressure washed the new wood on our deck, but the soap dried on it before I could remove it. When it rains you can see small bubbles. How can I remove the dried on soap.
What soap did you use?
krud kutter
The only thing you can do is to keep rinsing until no more soap suds are coming up.
We have a covered porch with entrance stairs. When we bought this house 3 years ago, it was all untreated and grey. Using the great information on this site, I prepped and cleaned the entire surface, and used the Sherwin Williams Deckscapes semi-transparent latex stain on all the horizontal surfaces. Last year (year 2), I again cleaned the surfaces and did another coat to darken it a bit. The covered portion of the porch still looks great, no cracking or peeling.
But in my quest for The better idea, I used the crushed nuts mixed in for the stairs last year. As the picture shows, that process apparently made for sandpaper in the walking areas. Peeling down to the bare wood. No more traction attempts this year!
My question is this. I’m ready to redo the stairs. Do I clean/powerwash/sand to remove all prior stain?
Clean first and then sand to remove.
Thanks, I am armed and ready!
I stained my deck 2 yrs ago and I forgot what I used to clean it before hand. I’m pretty sure I used TSP but I’m not sure if I mixed bleach with it or what the mix ratio of either was. Some websites advise not to use bleach., not sure why.
Bleach and TSP are not good for decks. Use a true “deck cleaner” that contains sodium percarbonate.
I’m pretty sure I used it last time. On other websites it says to use TSP and powdered oxygen bleach(Oxiclean) What is the reason why they aren’t good for decks? My deck is made of pressure treated wood. Does it harm the wood?
TSP is just a soap, not a deep cleaner. See this about bleach: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/using-bleach-to-clean-decks/
Is there a reason why the TSP & Bleach solution is not good for decks? I’m pretty sure I used it the last time and it worked pretty good. Other websites say to use 1 1/2 cups of TSP and 1 cup of powdered oxygen bleach(Oxiclean) Does it harm the wood?
I just tried cleaning my less than a year old deck with Olympic Deck Cleaner, suffice it to say that it didn’t do much if anything other then bring it something green in my deck boards that wSnt there before I applied it. What is it or what dis I do wrong?
The green is inside the wood and will not come out. It is part of the treatment of PTP wood.
We have a 20 yo cedar deck that was never stained or treated in any way. I plan on using Restore A Deck Cleaner/Brightener then staining with Restore A Deck Wood Stain or TWP 100 Series. However, all the cedar railings, balusters, and stairs were painted about 10 years ago. The paint is peeled in many places, is ugly, and needs to be removed, do you have any products/advice for how to go about this?
Thanks!
You will have to power sand off the paint to remove. Once 100% removed. clean and brighten for final prep.
Thanks!
Apologies if you’ve answered this elsewhere, but would it be beneficial to sand the deck surface as well? It’s been pressure washed before, I don’t notice too much raised grain. Or will this retard the stain penetration?
No need to sand the floor if it does not have a paint. It can hinder stain penetration into the wood.
I live in Virginia and need to apply the second coat of Defy Extreme on my new PT deck (first coat was applied a year ago). I am trying to get the deck cleaned and brightened before the pollen starts up but it is still getting down to 30 degrees at night (and then trying to catch a few days without rain). I read from previous posts that I can clean and brighten it and it is ok to wait up to 2 weeks to apply the stain. When pollen starts it coats everything every day, if I wait 2 days for the deck to dry and pollen is on it what do I do? Should I just wait until after pollen season is over and hot weather has arrived?
Pollen issues arise more with oil-based stains, not water-based like Defy. I would not worry about it much when using the Defy. If you do wait a couple of weeks between prep and staining, lightly wash or rinse the deck down two days before stating if the pollen has fallen on the wood.
Thanks for all the information here. I’ve read through a ton and haven’t been able to form a great plan.
I just moved in before winter, and I’m not sure what the previous owner had done to the deck. The deck is only 2 years old and has gone through 2 Minnesota winters. Now that the snow has cleared, we’re ready to re finish the deck. It was gray and dirty, so I power washed it. After it dried the sheen was very silverish grey so I applied a brightener and power washed again. I’m planning on trying a different brand, but please give me any advice you can before we stain.
Much appreciated!
Use the Restore A Deck Cleaner/Brightener Kits for the prep. Stain with Restore A Deck Wood Stain or TWP 100 Series.
I will be staining a new pressure-treated deck, after prepping with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener. There are two types of stains that I will need to remove prior to staining with a semi-transparent stain – the rubber tire marks from the pressure washer and residue from black walnuts that have fallen on the deck. I seriously doubt the cleaner and brightener will remove these stains – I hope I’m wrong. Does anyone have experience removing these stains?
The RAD prep should remove most but if not, watered down bleach will remove organic stains (black walnuts). Try 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Let sit and rinse well after 10 minutes.
Thank you! I’ll give that a try.
I also would like to remove the lumber yard stamp from the decking and I’ve accumulated some grease stains from my grill. I would imagine a last resort for any of these stains (especially grease) would be light sanding. But, would that possibly cause an uneven appearance after staining with a semi-transparent stain? The decking has now “aged” 5 months.
You will have to sand the stamps: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-remove-the-ink-stamps-from-new-decking/
You will need to spot sand them, let weather again, then do the prep.
Grease will not come out if deep in the wood grain.
Do I need to use cleaner on a new deck where the wood has never been stained?
Yes. See this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
We used the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener and the deck looks much cleaner. However, now we can see dark streaks next to many of the nails. Is there any way to remove these streaks? Will the stain cover over the discoloration? We never noticed it until we cleaned but now these streaks are very visible! Thanks for your advice.
That is rust from your nails. You have bad nails or screws there. Try the brightener again, it should remove it.
I have a 1200 sq ft Cumaru deck that was completed in June. We are wanting to clean/brighten and oil the boards before our rainy season begins (soon! we live in the Seattle area). I have 1 week of sunshine and mid 60’s weather this week although the only products I can source locally are Penofin for the oil/stain and either deck wise cleaner/brightener combo or Penofin cleaner. We also have the usual HD, Lowes and Ace Hardware brands which seems to mostly be Cabot, BM or Valspar. I see you recommending people to avoid Penofin, so my question is, should I use the Penofin if it means that I won’t be able to protect the deck until next summer?
Do not use Penofin. It turns black and you will need to strip to fix. Better to use Armstrong Clark or Defy Hardwood stain.
I have a half container of behr 63 wood cleaner that I bought an used about 6 years ago. can Iuse the rest of it and will it work?
It is probably okay to use.
Still trying to finish older deck before it gets worse. I definitely have to do the best I can this time. Do I remove nails where screws are needed first & sand or..do I wash deck first with outdoor bleach or vinegar? (Already stripped & used cleaner fee months ago) Unfortunately had Mudd filled with Elmer’s on the few places where starting to rot after cleaning them out on the last staining…use behr semi-transparent stain. Remove & fill with the Permafill you mentioned? How….chip out with screwdriver? … only 1 LARGE strip that needs filling. How do I flip another board in middle of deck…using what tool? How do I get splattered residue off vinyl siding when I had stripped & used pressure washer. Didn’t realize it was there at the time because of splatters of old deck stain. Can I get splatters of the paint off? Have tried with brushes etc
I apologize for the long note & many questions. Had continuously been researching online to no avail. Your website was highly recommended. Thank you very much for your knowledge & expertise & especially your willingness to help!
I finished cleaning my deck this weekend with RAD and some areas are brighter than others . Refer to the attached photos.
Is this acceptable to stain as is (I don’t want to see the look come thru the stain). or do I need to redo the cleaning. I plan on using Armstrong Clark semi solid stain. The wood is KDAT pine.
Thank you!
Joe
You are good to stain.
I got our new deck (7 months aged) all cleaned and brightened with Defy. Then the rains started up and it’s been another 3 weeks. Do I have to start all over again before putting on the stain and sealant? It’s been drying out for 2 days. I am not sure how to tell if it’s dry enough yet. We are in Northeast Florida.
Lightly wash for prep to remove any dirt. Let dry for 48 hours and then stain.
Do you mean to do this lightly with the Defy wood cleaner and brightener again? or just rinse the dirt off the deck?
With water. You just want to remove any dirt/dust since it has been three weeks.
🤗 Oh thank God! and thank you!
I was planning on cleaning my deck this morning but its raining until 10 AM. The forecast says that rain will begin around 8 PM this evening. Can I use the RAD in between the rain storms?
Thanks
RAD prep products, yes.
Thank you!
Installed new red cedar deck and it has had time to season. The deck looks great, no dirt or graying, but there is mnimal small black mold or mildew spotting. Can we just sand those few areas and then stain. We would prefer not to use chemical cleaner or brightener if not necessary as our deck is surrounded with plants and we have animals.
Thanks
No, you have to clean and brighten for the prep. This will remove the oxidation and mill glaze that needs to come off prior to staining.
OK thanks. Do you have an article explaining step by step process of cleaning and brightening?
Yes, this article.
I didn’t see it in the directions but thought I’d ask anyway. When using the RAD stripper am I supposed to wet the deck first?
Yes. Lightly wet is what we do.
Just finished sanding the deck. Going to stain with Armstrong Clark semi-trans. Does this stain prevent the gray from coming back? They say you just need to use cleaner and re-stain it. Is this true or do you have to sand off the gray that might appear as well? Or does the stain prevent it from going gray?
Yes, it does prevent graying for about 2-3 years or so. Just clean and reapply when time to redo.
I striped, cleaned an brightened my 2 year old cedar deck. Then had vacation so it has been 2 weeks since that was done. Can I just apply the stain now (Defy Extreme). The can also says that 1 coat is enough on cedar.
Lightly wash and brighten the wood again before applying the stain.
I used the 2-step cleaning process from Restore-A-Deck using a scrub brush and ended with white spots. They’re more prominent around knots. The deck is about ten months old and has never been stained. Is there a way to correct it? Please advice.
That is oxidation of the wood cells that did not come off fully. See here for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/
I have a deck that was already been painted with Olympic Rescue It. After pressure washing I would like to re-apply another coat or two of paint to give it a finished look. Is there anything else I need to prep before painting?
No. Just make sure it is clean and all the peeling or loose paint is removed.
I cleaned an unfinished cedar deck with wood wash (Biotestore) and it discoloured some of the wood in spots. Is there a way to correct this before I stain?
Picture, please.
Here are a few that show the stains and colour changes. I followed the directions of the deck cleaner, used a plastic brush and power washed. Thoughts?
Try a wood brightener the even it out.
If I have already stripped and sanded my deck , should I still wash it before I put new stain on it
Lightly wash and use a wood brightener. This will help the stain to soak in better.
What tempature is best to apply stain,is 90 and humid ok
Depends on the brand and type of stain you are using?
Hello, I applied a deck stripper as I has old solid stain that had worn away followed by a pressure washed rinse. It didn’t remove all the tough stain spots so I have started sanding. I am concerned about some dark spots that seem to be underneath, possibly older stain (i hope not!)? Would a brighten and clean after sanding help clean it up? I have read stripper can “darken” the wood. Any advice is helpful, thanks!
Try a stain stripper and pressure washing to remove more. Brighten all after will lighten the wood back.
Hi there, should I sand the boards before cleaner/brightener/stain? Or Should I sand the boards after the cleaner/brighter and before the stain.
Sanding first is best if you are in need of sanding.
Please give your opinion of Sunnyside Deck Wash.
Sorry but never heard of it.
I sanded my cedar deck. Cleaned it today and it left dot like spots in places. I’m scrubbed with a nylon brush and old stain came up. Is this normal. Should I clean again. Stripper not an option. Too much vegetation. Previous stain was ready seal. Two years of o.it wiothoit more than cleaning. Ordered TWP. Any thoight
Pictures, please.
I have just found your site and now have several concerns as my painters are coming tomorrow to stain my deck with an oil based stain. I was going to have them buy Thompson’s Water Seal at Lowes. Also, it has been 5 weeks since they pressure washed-see pictures. They were going to sweep off the debris and begin staining. What do you advise I insist they do to prepare properly and which product do you recommend and where to purchase. I have no idea what’s on the deck now. Thank you your help!
You need to strip and brighthen for the prep. Once fully removed, try one of these brands: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I put a fire proof mat on a new deck that hadn’t been stained. After about 4 months I’m ready to stain the deck but when I took up the matt. It showed the original deck color where as the rest of the deck had changed color due to the sun. What should I do?
Is the mat going back in the exact same spot? If so, just clean and brighten as normal and then stain. If it has a slight discoloration after, just put the mat over it.
One more question… by the way your website and response time are great! We just power washed and sanded the tough spots to completely remove the Behr stain on just the floor and step surface as it was peeling and flaking. The railings, spindles and under deck still looks amazing. My question is will the deck cleaner and brightener affect the sections still stained if it makes contact? Of course the under deck will get drenched with both products. Is it going to harm the stain that still looks great? Thanks again!!!
Probably not but hard to say for certain.
We just recently power washed and sanded our deck. We took off Behr’s Premium semi-transparent stain. I was disappointed as it started flaking after one summer. My question is can we still clean and brighten or did we mess up by sanding before these steps? Thank you!
Clean and brighten now for the final prep.
Thank you!
Hi! I cleaned my deck with cleaner and followed it up with brightener. Unfortunately it did nothing for the algae. I used vinegar and baking soda and a scrub brush to get the algae off and now I’m wondering if I need to use the brightener again. Thanks!
Yes.
When prepping your deck should you use wood filler and sand down before you use your deck cleaner or after you clean?
Wood filler will not work for exterior wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-filler-for-decks/
I had a new set of stairs built last year and let them age for a year, untreated. They are under several pine trees which drip sap. What is the best process to address this before staining and sealing? Also do you have any recommendations for a good type of stain to use that will ease pitch remove next year?
You will have to sand off the sap. Unfortunately, there is not a way to clean off the sap or a stain that will make it easier to remove down the road.
Our 1500 sq ft redwood deck is 5 years old and we are restaining it for general upkeep. We power washed it a couple of weeks ago without any cleaner or stripper applied to it. After reading all of these reviews, I think we may have missed an important part of the process. How would we know if it should redone with a “cleaner,” or move on with a brightener and stain. Thanks…..
Post a picture please.
I have a one year old deck that I am staining for the first time this summer. I live in western Pennsylvania. I have purchased the Defy Deck Cleaner, Brightener and Butternut Deck Stain. If I clean and brighten on one day, can I stain on the next day or should I wait? If so, how long? Thank you!
48 hours after the prep is normal to stain with the Defy.
Thank you! Can you tell me what is the best to use to apply the brightener and also is it ok to apply the Defy stain if we are to have rain the next day?
Use a pump sprayer to apply the brightener. The Defy Stain should dry for about 12 hours before the rain comes.
How quickly after stripping a 4 year old cedar deck with semi-transparent stain (2 years old and tired) do I need to brighten? What is my window to stain (with semi transparent) after brightening?
Brighten right away after the stripping is done. Try to stain within 2 weeks after the prep.
If I stripped and didn’t brighten roast away, what do I do? Unfortunately, I found your website a little too late. Some areas were stripped yesterday, some a few days ago.
Still brighten as soon as you can.
I have a wood deck that I put a transparent stain on 3 years ago. I am getting ready to clean it up to redo, and my questions is will dawn dish soap and water with scrub brush do the trick before I re-stain? I do not have a power washer and have flowers planted around the deck. It does get a lot foot traffic on it and exposed to the sun so floor is more worn off than railing.
No. Use a proper deck cleaner for the prep.
Hello,
I have a deck about to see it’s 4th summer. I have cleaned, brightened and stained the past two seasons with Armstrong Clark transparent. I face south and get almost full sun so the stain doesn’t really last more than 1 season. However due to personal circumstances I won’t have the time to full stain the deck again this year, however it is very dirty from the winter snow and grime that generally accumulates so I do want to clean it up.
My question is should I clean it with just a power washing? Or should I use a cleaner and power wash? I mostly just want to clean the grime off to use the deck for the summer.
Use a cleaner and lightly agitate with a soft car wash brush then rinse with the pressure washer.
Hi, I have a deck that, within the last year, has been expanded. Combo old wood and new. We let the new wood age 90 days and had the entire old area stripped and then the entire deck re-stained with semi transparent. Stain was sprayed on poorly and is uneven in some areas. The old stain still looks decent, is less than 1 year old and has only faded slightly. Can I simply “clean” the existing surface and re-stain again with same color, but different product, or must I use the same product? Or, must I strip all of the old?
Thanks.
You have to strip when switching brands.
We bought a cabin in the Colorado mountains at 8,200 feet. The wood deck is south facing and has solid color stain that has peeled in many places and has faded. We’ve done our scraping and plan to use Cabot’s solid color stain in about the same redwood tone. Is it necessary to use a deck cleaning product, such as Cabot’s Problem Solver deck cleaner? Or will a good washing be enough? In other words, does a deck cleaning product work on existing solid color stain? Thanks for the good information on your website.
Pressure washing only should be fine if you are using a solid color stain again.
Thank you very much.
We applied a first coat of Cabot’s yesterday. It went on thick and covered many bad areas of the wood as well as the old stain. Coverage was excellent and the deck looks terrific. We’ll see how it holds up after the second coat but we will likely replace the deck with a composite within a year. Thanks for the recommendation of a very good product.
Hello there, it snowed today and I was planning on power washing tomorrow and staining my deck Wednesday. Tomorrow is suppose to be in the low 40s and so is Tuesday. Wednesday evening when I planned on stain g it will be in the 60s. Should I just wait a week or two for the weather to warm up a bit more. I plan on using ZAR semi-transparent.
We would wait until it is warmer.
I built a new redwood deck and cleaned it with deck cleaner yesterday (Sunday). Thinking that I wouldn’t get to stain it until next weekend, I covered up the whole deck with paper, plastic, and cardboard to try to keep it clean and protected. Rain wasn’t in the forecast…but it rained this morning (Monday, literally the next day), and now everything looks horrible, and I worry that I won’t be able to get the stains off.
I sanded down a few boards to see what they would look like. Shortly after that, it started sprinkling, so I’m getting an idea of what the deck will look if I stain it, and it’s not pretty. (I’ve included a before and after picture so you can see the difference.)
Does anyone have an idea for how I remove these water stains? And if I can’t, would it be a terrible idea to remove each board to flip each one over to re-screw them in?
I would appreciate any help you can provide. I built this deck with my uncle over the last few months, and I’m so worried that I’ve ruined all of our hard work, and I really don’t want to disappoint him.
Jessica
That is not water stain from the rain. Something else caused this. You will need to reclean the deck and then brighten the wood. Do not cover the wood before staining. Let is dry exposed. Rainwater will not do this.
Also, you may be doing this too soon. See here about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I built a new deck out of pressure treated woods about 7 years ago. I re-applying a PP&G an oil-based semi-transparent stain every year after cleaning. After a few years, black mold started to appear in the ever widening cracks in the grain. Not knowing how to clean the mold, I used straight bleach. This removed all the mold the first year I cleaned, 90% of the mold the second year, 80% the 3rd year, etc. Now the mold is lodged deep in the cracks and bleach doesn’t do much any more. I tested with a variety of products to clean the black mold and haven’t found anything that touches it.
1. How do I get the black mold out of the cracks?
2. How would I keep it from coming back in a matter of months?
3. I guess the oil-based stain I am using is promoting black mold, can I use a moldicide additive to the stain?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Keith,
1. You will need to strip/sand off the PPG product, down to the bare wood. Brighten the wood after.
2. Switch stain brands to a better product when it comes to mold prevention.
3. Adding a mildewcide will not help the PPG product. Switch to TWP 100 Series or Restore-A-Deck Wood stain. Both will do much better with mold and reapplication.
Thanks
Thank you for your response. Can I assume that the stripper, perhaps something like EFC 38 or HD-80 will loosen the black mold enough to pressure wash it out of the cracks?
EFC-38 is not a stripper. HD80 is. A deck stripper should remove all coatings and the mold as well. Try the Restore A Deck Stripper.
Thanks for all your help. I ordered the Restore A Deck Stripper on Monday. It took them until Thursday to ship it out. Total lead time will be at least a week. Plan accordingly if ordering anything from these guys.
No problem. As far as ordering the RAD, that is not normal. Something must have happened.
I brought a house with a 23 year old deck that probably has never been maintained. I think it originally was painted and most of the paint (or solid stain) has worn off. I tried stripping the left over paint, but that didn’t work well. I’ve started sanding to remove it and once I get down to bare wood the wood looks dirty in some spots. I was wondering if it is dirt and grime or something else? Also, if I keep sanding I can get to clean looking wood, but is that necessary or can I just sand down to the wood and then use a cleaner and brightener? I’m wanting the wood in the left side of the picture to look like the right.
Looks like there may be some old stain deep in the left side. Try using a stripper and pressure washing to remove and then brightener.
I have a freestanding deck and little bench in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan.
It’s got some mold and mildew on it in spots. It’s too late to stain it this year, but should I clean it before it snows? Would that help or hurt me for next Spring when I plan to clean and stain it?
No need. Just prep and stain in the Spring.
Is there hope for our compounded mistakes with a five month old deck. A deck cleaner was used and left fuzzies. Next we sanded which seems another bad idea. Now rain is expected for the next 3-4 days, will this further damage the wood?
You will be fine. Fuzzies do not happen from cleaners but from letting the wood oxidize from the sun. This has to be removed with the prep and people will blame the cleaner, when it is not at fault. Just an FYI.
My wooden deck was installed was 6 months ago and has never been sealed/stained. How should I prep it for sealing/staining?
Use Restore A Deck prepping kits for the prep.
Hi… I have a 13 year old cedar deck that I just completely sanded… there’s a couple boards that have gorges in them that the belt sander couldn’t reach into… is there anyway to fill these gorges with wood filler, or should I puddle stain into them to fill them up (TWP 1500 Dark Oak)? I don’t want them to fill with water when it rains…
Also, would it be worth it to pull the gorged boards up and flip them over? Would the underside match the rest of the deck after 13 years or would it be all rotten underneath…
Many thanks! This site is an awesome resource!
I have a deck I stained a year ago with TWP 1500 after following all your directions for seasoning, cleaning, and brightening. Looks fine, but I’m looking to maintain properly, staining this year and every 3-5 years after. When I’m recoating for stain, do I need to clean and brighten, or just clean? Use pressure washer? Lastly, should I recoat after 1 year after initial coat, or should I go every 3-5 years?
Deck cleaner and light pressure washing. Brighten after. TWP wants a maintenance coat after the first year for new wood. Every 2-3 years after that.
Nothing lasts 3-5 years.
Thanks, got it!
We just sanded our deck that was had paint peeling (tried pressure washer but it was not doing so well with the wood). There is a chance of rain before we can stain. What should we do after sanding before we stain (including letting it dry out after rain)? Can we just hose it to clean it off and let it dry before staining?
Best to use both a cleaner and wood brightener for the final prep.
Greetings from the Hoh Rainforest on the Washington Coast….where it’s very green and wood rarely dries out. We have a 7 year old cedar deck that’s in great shape despite never being stained or treated. However, it’s very slippery when wet. I want to clean it off the mold, miles, and moss BUT I don’t want to lose the beautiful gray weathering. Thoughts on cleaning?
If we do decide to treat it, what would you recommend? It’ll need to take a beating and I don’t expect the wood would be dry enough to accept a great stain.
Thanks for a great resource.
Not reapply possible to just clean off the mold and moss without removing the graying as well. You can prep with the RAD Kits: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/restore-a-deck-cleaner-system-review/
and then let it gray naturally again. For a clear sealer, try the Defy Extreme Clear.
I’ve just spent the last few days stripping Thompson’s water sealant and then sanding with 60 and 100 grit (mostly 60) from my PT deck. I was under the impression that sanding was a good idea after Thompson’s, but I see you are not big on sanding at all. I was about to apply some brightener and then Defy Extreme stain after that. Perhaps I should wait to spring now and then clean, brighten and then stain? What do you think? It’s a dry season here in Ottawa in the fall, as usual, but the spring can be wet.
Dave
60 grit is fine. Go ahead and apply the brightener now and rinse well. The Defy Extreme will soak in.
I have heard that OxiClean is good to use on wood to clean it before staining, what is your thoughts on this?
OxiClean is a general all purpose cleaner. While it would work to some degree, it is not designed for wood, so the results would not be as good as a cleaner specific to deck clening,
Oxiclean mixed with liquid laundry detergent worked just fine for me.
I cleaned, brightened, and stained a new cedar deck last fall (I used the deck for a couple of months prior just to enjoy the new wood look). I want to put another coat on now for better protection and to have more of the stain absorb into the wood to keep the color. Can I just wash the deck with a hose and water using a cloth/brush? Or do I really need to use a deck cleaner and brightener?
Use a deck cleaner whenver you are recoating is best.
Does the fact that I’m doing a Northern White Cedar deck present any special problems?
Thanks
No but see this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I just cleaned my deck with a deck cleaner and deck brush. It was a red wood color but now is a grayish white color. Is that ok? And it is supposed to rain the next few days. Will my deck be ok? Or will the rain mess up the wood? Ps this website is great for answering peoples questions. Thanks alot for all the info. Very helpful.
Rain does not mess up wood after prep. You may want to use a wood brightener now.
Ok. 1 more question. I didn’t clean the wood rails of my deck all the way to the regular wood color. I cleaned the dirt off. If I stain the whole deck and rails with a darker color stain will it match? Or will it be 2 different shades?
Hard to say as it varies based on the brand and type of stain.
I used Behr wood cleaner and brightner on part of my deck/porch and it did not remove the “Gray” very well. I did a dumb thing and applied Olimpic Maximum stain tinted cedar and thought that the colored stain would hide the gray but it did not. What do I do now to remove the new sealer and find somthing that works to remove the old weathered gray boards? My opinion the Behr wood cleaner is useless and should be taken off of the market as it does not work. What steps should I do now to correct my problem and what deck cleaner would you suggest is the best to use. Your email response would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Julian Whanger
You may need to sand to get it off as it is hard to strip newly applied stain. Once removed, use the Restore A Deck Kits and pressure washing.
Do you have to clean and scrub the railings, posts and non-floor surfaces of the deck too or just the floor surfaces? Or will a power washer be ok for all other non-floor surfaces before staining. Thanks so much!
Use a deck cleaner and pressure clean all wood that will be stained.
What is the best process order if you are sanding prior to staining? My plan is to clean, sand, brighten, stain.thanks!
Your order is correct.
Can I rinse off the deck with water after sanding the deck to remove the dust and other particles resulting from sanding and then wait 24 hours to stain the deck?
Thank you
Yes, but wait 48 hours.
Can the deck be cleaned and then brightened in the same day? Is it okay if it rains after it is cleaned and brightened but before the stain is applied?
Yes and yes. Just let dry after it rains for 24-48 hours.
We have a 5 year old deck with PT wood. We had previously used a tinted Thompsons Water Seal on it. Plan to sand the entire deck floor to remove all old stain (most of it has worn off & the wood looks gray). After sanding & washing it off do we then have to also use a cleaner or can we just use a brightener?
Clean and brighten would be best.
I did the RAD cleaning and brightening but now the weather has been extremely unhelpful so I am going to go over the two week window that you suggest. What do I do? Do I have to start from the beginning and clean and brighten the whole deck again? Or can I just brighten it? …
Lightly pressure rinse and apply the brightener. No need for a cleaner yet.
Great! Thank you. Follow up question; since I’ve been getting so much rain I want to be sure. I am using the Armstrong Clark Semi Transparent, how long after I stain it is it safe if it rains? I thought I remember reading you said it could rain on it pretty quickly … ?
AC says it can rain on it within 4-8 hours, but we prefer the next day to be safe.
I am preparing to refinish a 4-year-old cedar deck that has been previously stained with a semitransparent stain but was power washed last summer but then sat through an Alaska winter unstained or otherwise protected. There is a new gazebo structure on the deck, stained last August (I intended to stain the deck too but rainy weather and then onset of winter intervened). So I have a couple of questions:
1. My stain says only apply when temp is above 50 degrees and will not dip below 50 for at least 48 hours. We are still getting night temps in the mid-40’s here. Does this just slow the drying process or will it actually affect the quality of the stain if I apply and it gets below 50 that night? (Only one coat of stain is needed, so slow drying is acceptable to me.) The product I will be using is Cabot Australian Timber Oil.
2. Second, there is a bit of scattered mildew on the surface. Can I carefully apply a cleaning solution with bleach in it to address? I don’t want to use a commercial cleaner on the whole deck because I can’t protect all the newly stained gazebo boards from that treatment. I was just planning to sand with a random orbital sander with 80-grit to prepare for the application of the stain, because I can keep away from the gazebo boards by doing it manually. What do you think?
Thanks for your website, it has some great info on it. I can tell I’m being a bit outside the usual process by just wanting to sand, but am not sure how to protect the gazebo otherwise! Thanks for any insight you can provide.
1. It will slow the drying and curing but should not harm the coating.
2. Bleach is bad for wood and you cannot spot clean. All the flooring should be cleaned and brightened for the prep. Sanding is not a good way to prep. Closes the grain of the wood, reducing absorption.
The cleaners should not harm the stain on the gazebo much or at all.
What is the best prep method before staining? I see two opinions on the web. Clean, rinse, sand and rinse again (to raise grain slightly of weathered pt deck and rid sawdust) OR clean, rinse, sand then stain? Maybe sweep dust away but no final wetting due to rinsing or RAIN. Even cover with tarps to keep dry. Thank you
Clean and brighten. Sanding is typically not needed.
If I have cleaned and sanded pt wood with 60-80 grit with vacuum attached; is it best to rinse the wood and let dry 3-4 days, then stain . Or keep dry after sanding and stain right away. I have read that if it rains after sanding you must clean and sand again! WTF! So … sand, rinse and stain Or … sand and stain? Thank you.
You do not have to clean and sand again after a rain. Nothing would ever get done if that was true. If we sand, which is rarely as it closes the wood grain, we would do in order.
1. Clean deck and let dry.
2. Sand lightly but no more than 60-80.
3. Apply the wood brightener and rinse well to open the grain some and remove sand dust.
4. Let dry for 48 hours and stain. If it rains, just wait until it dries for 48 hours.
Will pt wood sanded (60-80 grit) have greater porosity and thus absorb stain better if kept dry (possibly tarping) or would rain open more wood pores and therefore permit stain to absorb better? (48-72 hours drying time.) Thanks.
Raining on it will not matter. Just leave uncovered.
Will the Defy deck stain stripper harm the screen that is on my deck?
Depends on the type of screen it is?
I have a deck on my second floor roof, When I use a cleaner to clean the wood won’t the cleaner leak down to the sides of the house and stain the siding. Or is there some other way to clean without causing the leaking
Pre wet an rinse the siding when done. It should be fine.
Questions on board condition and stain type to use?
I apologize if this turns out to be a duplicate entry…
The boards on our deck are weathered and have mildew but they are firm and not spongy. Seems to be PT wood and it looks like the previous owner had applied a semi-transparent stain but I can’t say for sure given my lack of experience. Deck is in the DC metro area and shaded by trees if that helps….gets mostly indirect sunlight with a a few hours of direct light.
1. I am wondering if cleaning these boards will be enough or should I plan on sanding and/or replacing as well? Pictures attached.
2. Same question on the railing top – do I need to replace it?
Regarding stains, I am considering going with a semi-solid stain on deck flooring if I end up replacing some boards once we start the project. This is mostly to make the old and new boards blend better. However, I also saw guidance from one stain manufacturer recommending their solid line over semi-transparent for older boards.
3. Do semi-solid stains work significantly better for protecting older/split wood boards than semi-transparent stains or would with either stain type work?
4. Do semi-solid stains also have peeling issues like the solid stains?
5. Do they require sanding to remove (like solids do) prior to re-coating in a couple of years with another semi-solid or transparent stain?
Thank you for this great site!
1. Strip and brighten all for the prep.
2. same as 1
3. Not significantly better, but you cam get a little longer UV protection.
4. Depends on the brand. Some film on the wood and are prone to peeling. Some soak in.
5. same as 4
Thank you!
How long do you wait to use brighter after cleaning deck
Right away while wood is clean and wet from the cleaner.
Will Restore-a-Deck Brightener work well after using the Defy Stain Stripper, in preparation for applying Defy Extreme stain?
Yes, that will work.
Two of my planks have some rot in them, and when I powerwashed the deck it left some large indentations. Is there anything I can use to fill the indentations before I stain the deck? Thank you for your help!
Wood filler does not work well with exterior wood and the filler will not blend with most stains. Best to replace those boards if possible.
My deck dried before I got the brightened on it. Is this a problem?
Just apply the brightener when you can.
I used Penofin wood cleaner on my
new Cedar deck. I have also power washed it. There is still a thin tissue paper like white coating over much of the wood. Don’t know what else to try. Any ideas? I am attaching a photos.
That is oxidized wood fibers that have not completely come off with your prep. Wash again to remove or lightly buff them off with a floor buffer and sanding pad.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring-on-deck/
My main flooring is gray and needs sanding, staining and brighten. But the vertical railings and support beams still have some color. Do I strip those areas first? Or will pressure washer + clean/Brighten work? Staining the same color. Replacing one handrail beam too.
If you are using the same color and brand, just use a deck cleaner and pressure washing for the prep. Brighten after. You should not have to strip the railings.
We just installed a brand new deck with azek composite decking. The handrails, joists and support posts are all pressure treated cedar. Do I have to sand the cedar before applying stain? Do I need to use wood cleaner, wood brightener for brand new deck before applying stain. What order should these steps happen?
Thanks
See this about new wood:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/