Staining your wooden deck is a great way to accentuate its color and patina while protecting the wood. But, you need to protect the stain as well by using non-hazardous cleaners that won’t discolour or damage it.
That’s why it’s so important to use the right cleaning methods from the beginning so that your deck stays beautiful and shiny for longer. After all, no-one wants a dingy and discoloured deck, right?
White Vinegar
Read on for some tips on how to maintain your stained timber decking with non-hazardous cleaning methods.
White vinegar is a well-known natural cleaner that is both refreshing and tough on dirt. Not only will it remove grime and grease, but it will also eliminate the fungi that like to grow on wood, like mould and mildew.
The great thing about white vinegar is that it’s safe to use on timber wood because of its mild acting formula. Although it’s a powerful cleaning agent, white vinegar is so gentle that it won’t cause any damage to your health while you’re using it.
Since it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, white vinegar can be utilised even when there are children and pets around.
To clean your deck with vinegar, simply pour equal parts vinegar and water into a water bottle, spray onto the deck surface, and scrub it clean. Lastly, rinse the area of with a hose and let it air dry.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a powerhouse cleaning agent that is so versatile that you can practically use it to clean your entire house-inside and out! Baking soda also acts as a deodoriser to remove annoying odours while eliminating all grease and dirt from your stained timber decking.
To top it off, baking soda is an all-natural and organic cleaning solution that’s safe for your family, the environment and the beautiful stain on your timber deck.
You can use it freely knowing that it will attack the dirt and remove grime without affecting the appearance or quality of your decking. In fact, it might even help to preserve it for longer.
To use baking soda as a cleaning agent:
- Pour 1 cup of baking soda into 1 gallon of warm water
- Spray the solution onto the deck
- Scrub the deck until you see the dirt coming off
- Rinse it off with a water hose
Liquid Dish Soap
Whoever thought that something as simple as dishwashing liquid can be so effective at keeping your timber deck clean? Truth is, dish soap is an easy and convenient way to clean your deck without damaging its stain.
All you have to do is:
- Pour ¼ cup of dishwashing liquid into 1 gallon of water
- Spray the solution onto the deck
- Scrub the surface with a stiff-bristled brush broom
- Rinse with water
Oxygen Bleach
If you must use bleach to clean your timber decking, opt for oxygen bleach instead of regular chlorine bleach. That’s because oxygen bleach is milder than the latter and yet it’s just as effective.
It’s made from sodium percarbonate which is gentle on wood, on your health and on the environment.
Oxygen bleach is even safe for plants because it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals.
This marvellous cleaning agent comes in the form of powder and you mix it with water following the instructions given on the packaging it comes in. It’s very effective against the build-up of grime, grease, dirt and fungi.
Conclusion
As you can see, deck maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult or damaging to your stained timber. All you need is a powerful yet gentle cleaning solution and the right attitude. Most of the DIY deck cleaning methods mentioned in this article use ingredients that you can find in your pantry. The tools are cheap and easily available at your local hardware store, and you don’t need special expertise to use them.
Of course, not everyone has the time it takes to keep their deck clean all year round. That’s why Kleenit offers a dedicated deck maintenance service using tried and tested methods that will also protect your deck from the elements.
Whatever method you choose, the important thing is to maintain your deck in ship-shape so that it adds to your curb appeal.
