Bleach and Wood Decks. Is it a good idea?
Bleach Is Bad For Wood
There is a lot of debate as to whether or not bleach or bleach-based products can be used to clean a wood deck. After all, bleach is cheap and readily available and has always been known as a household cleaner. To better understand this dilemma, let’s take a look at what bleach is.
Restore-A-Deck Cleaner Kit
Restore-A-Deck Cleaner Kit Update 2017
Please read this article and post any questions you have in the comment are below. Our newly enhanced website now offers the ability to upload and post pictures of your exterior wood or deck. This will help us determine the proper prep for your deck.
Below you will see a YouTube Video Review of the Restore A Deck Prepping kit. this is from an actual consumer and is very informative and helpful.
Restore-A-Deck is the only product on the market that offers both a Step 1 Deck Cleaner and a Step 2 Deck Brightener in the same kit. Restore-A-Deck comes in a powdered concentrated formula. Each 2 lb container makes 5 liquid gallons. Simply pour each into a five-gallon container and add water to dissolve the powder concentrate.
Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 9
– The Restore-A-Deck Step 1 Deck Cleaner did very well at removing general dirt and grime. The deep cleaning formula made it easy to break down the gray wood cells. All mold was removed as well. The Step 1 Deck Cleaner did not remove some rust stains from the furniture but the Step 2 Brightener did.
Cost Per Square Foot: 10
– The best on the market today. The cost to clean and brighten an average 600 square foot deck is less than $.07 a foot. Since Restore-A-Deck comes in a powder we liked that you only needed to mix as much as you needed. Very little waste.
Gemini Restore-A-Deck Kit
Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener system is a powerful “eco-friendly” two-part restoration system. 100% Biodegradable Concentrated powder formula. Prep wood surfaces for re-coating with a wood or deck stain and restores weathered gray wood to natural color.
Note: We tested Gemini’s Restore-A-Deck Kit on a heavily gray and dirty fence that was neglected for 8 years.
Gemini Restore-A-Deck Kit Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 9
– Gemini’s Restore-A-Deck Kit worked very efficiently to remove the graying from the fence. Even though the fence was severely neglected, the cleaner and brightener restored the wood to 90% of its original look.
Cost Per Square Foot: 10
– Excellent! Gemini’s Restore-A-Deck Kit is a powdered concentrate that is hard to beat when it comes to cost. The kit can clean and brighten up to 1000 sq. feet. You would need 3-5 times as much if purchasing a liquid packaged cleaner or brightener.
Defy Wood Deck Cleaner
Defy Wood Deck Cleaner is a safe alternative to chlorine bleach based cleaners. Defy Wood Cleaner is highly effective at removing general dirt, grime, and UV graying while restoring the wood’s natural color tones. Environmentally safe, powdered, oxygen based concentrate that makes 5 liquid gallons per container.
Defy Wood Cleaner should be used with the Defy Wood Brightener for maximum preparation.
Defy Wood Deck Cleaner Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 8
– The Defy Wood Cleaner did an excellent job at prepping the wood by removing all of the dirt and mold. The test deck had not been maintained in 6 years so the graying of the wood cells was extensive. The Defy Cleaner did a better than average job at softening these grayed wood cells so that a stiff scrubbing removed them from the deck surface.
Cost Per Square Foot: 10
– How can you complain about spending only $20 to clean a 750 square foot deck. That is $.03 a square foot. A bargain compared to liquid packaged cleaners.
EFC38 Review
EFC-38’s unique formulation provides the strength necessary to clean gray wood, mold, mildew and heavy accumulations of grime. EFC-38 contains sodium percarbonate and additional surfactants that boost the overall effectiveness. EFC-38 was designed to clean and prep all exterior wood. EFC-38 is safe to use and makes an excellent tool for wood preparation prior to applying a wood coating.
EFC-38 Wood Deck Cleaner Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 9
– EFC-38 is very effective at removing graying wood cells and algae. The wood surface looked 90% or better when done with the cleaning. All algae and mold were removed from the fence.
Cost Per Square Foot: 10
– Cost to clean the 1000 square foot fence was less than $.04 a foot. The powdered formula makes 5 gallons of liquid wood cleaner for 2 pounds of EFC-38
To maintain a wood surface that is exposed to harsh elements like a deck it is important to clean the surface on a regular bases. This can mean anywhere from every 1-5 years depending on the type and character of the wood. When maintaining a deck it is crucial to use the right products. The deck will need to be thoroughly cleaned to remove contaminants like dirt, mold, mildew, and grayed out wood fibers caused by sun damage.
To get the best results you need to use the best deck cleaner. A deck cleaner will break up the pollutants making the wood easier to clean with a brush or pressure washer. The best deck cleaner will also help prep the wood prior to applying or reapplying a deck stain. For determining the best deck cleaner 2017 we took a look at several factors. Obviously how well the product works is a large factor but other factors like price and ease of use were also considered.
Cabot® Ready-to-Use Problem Solver® Wood Cleaner is specially formulated to remove mildew stains, mold, algae, dirt and other foreign matter from all painted, stained, unfinished or weathered wood surfaces. Use for routine cleaning and for properly preparing all surfaces prior to staining or painting.
Cabot Problem Solver® Wood Cleaner Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 6
– Cabot Problem Solver Wood Cleaner is a sodium hypochlorite “bleach” based cleaner. It removed the mold but did a poor job on removing the graying and dirt.
Cost Per Square Foot: 7
– In general, we are not fans of liquid based wood cleaners. You are mostly paying for water in a bottle with a small amount of chemicals added. It is much more cost effective to purchase a powdered cleaner. Cabot Problem Solver Wood Cleaner is fair priced for a liquid deck cleaner.
BEHR Premium 2-In-1 Deck Cleaner is a cleaner specifically formulated to clean and brighten wood surfaces as well as remove mildew stains. This unique product will also remove tannin bleed, red clay stains, rust stains on wood and masonry, and clean vinyl/aluminum siding, composite decks and more!
BEHR Premium 2-In-1 Deck Cleaner Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 5
– The BEHR Premium 2-In-1 Deck Cleaner did a poor job at cleaning and removing the graying. The cleaner did not remove ay of the mold or mildew from the wood. It did lighten the color of the wood slightly. On inspection of the contents, it was determined that this product is more of a wood brightener than a wood cleaner. Contains oxalic acid and a soap additive.
Cost Per Square Foot: 7
– Cheap for a liquid deck cleaner but since it does not work very well we could not give it a high rating here.
Wolman™ DeckBrite Wood Cleaner is an oxygen powered wood cleaner used to clean and restore decks and other weathered wood. When mixed with water, DeckBrite quickly and safely restores dirty, weathered-gray, mildew and algae-stained wood to its bright, natural, like-new look. DeckBrite is used to prep for reapplication of wood stains as well.
Wolman™ DeckBrite™ Wood Deck Cleaner Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 8
– Wolman™ DeckBrite cleans and removes grayed wood very effectively. We prefer oxygenated based wood cleaners and the DeckBrite performs as we would expect.
Cost Per Square Foot: 10
– Excellent! Powdered deck cleaners are hard to beat when it comes to cost.
Restore A Deck Kits
Important Note: This is our 2nd Review of the Restore A Deck Kits. See Here for First Review: Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit
Restore A Deck cleaner is a specifically designed two-part system that is best used to clean and prep a wood deck prior to staining it. The Restore A Deck cleaner system consists of a wood cleaner that will remove dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and grayed wood fibers. Step 2 is a wood brightener that corrects the pH of the wood and brightens/lightens it up prior to applying a wood stain or sealer.
Restore-A-Deck comes in a powdered concentrated formula. Each 2 lb container makes 5 liquid gallons and can clean and brighten up to 1000 sq. feet. Simply pour each into a five-gallon container and add water to dissolve the powder concentrate.
The Restore a Deck Step 1 Cleaner contains an EPA registered ingredient that helps in the removal of mold, mildew, and algae.
Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 9
The Restore-A-Deck Step 1 Deck Cleaner works wonders at removing dirt and graying. The active ingredient creates a slight foaming on the wood once applied. Once the graying and dirt has softened, we find it best to use a pressure washer at a low setting of 1500 PSI to “lightly wash” off the dirty slime.
Cost Per Square Foot: 10
Powdered deck prepping products are the way to go. Cheaper and more effective than bleach-based solutions. We have found that the Restore A Deck Kits are the best on the market today when it comes to price. The cost to clean and brighten an average 800 square foot deck is less than $.07 a foot.
Messmers Part A Cleaner
Messmer’s Wood and Deck Cleaner can be used to prepare old, weathered wood for prior to applying a stain, or as part of regular wood care maintenance to keep your deck, fence, log home, or other wood surfaces looking great.
The Messmers Part A Cleaner is a concentrated wood and deck cleaner. Mix one 16oz container into 5 gallons of water.
Messmers Wood Deck Cleaner Scores (1-10)
Removal of Graying, Dirt, Grime: 8
– Messmers Wood Deck Cleaner did a pretty decent job at removing graying and dirt. The cleaner restored the IPE deck back to a natural blond color.
Cost Per Square Foot: 8
– The Messmers Deck Cleaner comes in a 16 oz container. This is half as much as similar powdered concentrates that come in 32 oz containers. For example, you would need two Messmers ($13.99 x 2 =$27.98) Deck Cleaners to one Defy Wood Cleaner ($19.99). This still makes the Messmers a great buy compared to liquid deck cleaners.