Decking or a patio is a wonderful addition to any garden, but it needs extra care and attention to maintain its looks and function. Outdoor living areas typically collect a lot of grime and dirt during the year. All too often, property owners damage their decks and patio floors by using improper cleaning methods and products. How to clean a deck? When is the best time to take care of your patio? Follow our handy guide to help you understand and prepare exactly what’s required to get your deck or patio into squeaky clean condition.
When to Clean Your Deck or Patio?
Your deck or patio is probably exposed to the damaging force of weather year-round, which is why regular maintenance is the key to its longevity and overall aesthetics. If you wish for your patio or decking to remain in good shape, you have to give it a thorough cleaning at least once per year.
Be aware that the quality of your deck/patio floor will indicate how frequently it should be cleaned. If you choose an experienced provider, like decks Saskatoon, once a year should be enough. An annual wash has the power to bring new life into your deck, help to prevent costly repairs, and preserve the integrity of the wood.
Cleaning Garden Decking — Five Simple Steps
How to clean a wooden deck? The process itself is not that complicated, there are only five steps that you need to follow.
Step 1: Preparing the Area
Start deck cleaning by clearing everything from the surface of the deck. Remove things that might get in your way while cleaning, anything from patio furniture to potted plants should be moved elsewhere. Make sure to also grab z broom and give the area a sweep.
Step 2: Pressure Wash
Next, use a pressure washer or alternatively a garden hose to rinse away any dirt, dust, or grime. Aim directly at places that are heavily soiled to remove any debris there might be. After you have washed the problematic areas, be spray in between the decking boards to get rid of any remaining leaves, grass, or twigs.
Step 3: Scrubbing and Rinsing
To make sure not to damage your patio, create a cleaning solution with warm water and liquid soap. You can also go for a speciality wood deck cleaner. Scrub the surface and saturate it with the washing solution using a sponge. Leave it on for five to ten minutes, then rinse it with clean water.
Step 4: Treating Mould and Algae
If you observe some algae and/or mould, the best you can do is to clean your patio floor with a concentrated disinfectant treatment. You can find it in gardening stores or in shops with cleaning equipment.
Spray the treatment onto affected areas and let it dry. No need to pressure wash again or scrub, it is the easiest way to revitalize and maintain your deck without any further damage.
Step 5: Reseal
A nice touch before completing your maintenance process is to reseal your deck after the deep clean. A waterproofing agent or mildew protection is an excellent way to protect your patio for the future.
How to Remove Stain from a Deck?
When it comes to stains on a deck, keep in mind that they are time-sensitive. Try to clean them as soon as possible to prevent the mark from setting into the wood permanently. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid using harsh chemicals to clean your wood deck. In most cases, a brush and liquid dish soap will be enough to remove a stain.
However, if you are dealing with rust, you might need a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar or oxalic acid cleaner to get the job done.
For candle wax markings, the most efficient idea is to scrape away as much residue as possible using a putty knife or a similar blunt tool. Then cover the area with plain paper and use an iron set on low to gently warm the wax and remove it from the patio floor.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your deck or patio floor is a relatively easy and inexpensive process, that will help you increase the longevity of your outdoor living areas. Once a year, take some time, follow the five-step cleaning guide mentioned above and save yourself some money on repairs or replacement of your decking. Your patio will look beautiful and remain functional for years to come.