Cleaning Wood Decking - Tips And Tricks for Zapping Stubborn Grime

Cleaning wood decking isn't always the most fun thing to do, but let's face it - every couple of years, it just has to be done. Plus, by cleaning wood decks really thoroughly once every year or two, it will be so much easier to keep the surfaces sparkling clean and looking great the rest of the time. When it's time for cleaning wood decking, try these tips and tricks to zap right through even the most stubborn grime.

Cleaning Wood Decking The Green Way

One of the insider tricks of the trade when it comes to wood deck cleaning is the use of really powerful oxygen based cleaning solutions. Now this does require a good degree of hand scrubbing, but these cleaning solutions are formulated especially for cleaning wood decking and do a really good job at the task. As powerful as they are when it comes to fighting mildew, dirt, and grime, they are still as gentle as can be to the delicate surface of the deck's wood. And there's another bonus to using oxygen cleaners - because they clean with oxygen instead of harsh chemicals, they're much more friendly on the environment.

Gently Pressure Wash The Grime Away

Using a pressure washer to complete the job of cleaning wood decking definitely does the trick. A powerful stream of pressurized water and air cuts right through practically any kind of dirt in the way. The only problem is that sometimes pressure washing a wooden deck cuts through the dirt and then digs in and tears up the wood too. If cleaning wood decking with a pressure washer, be as gentle as possible to keep this kind of damage from happening.

Get Through All The Grit By Sanding It

Sometimes cleaning wood decking takes something more powerful than the other options normally prescribed. When nothing else seems to work, using sandpaper to precisely remove the top layer of wood will bring new life to the deck. Save the elbow grease and use a good belt sander with a medium-light grit sandpaper. The finished surface will be as clean and smooth as new! If there's a pitfall to this method of cleaning wood decking, it's that each time the deck is sanded, there's a little bit less of the deck left. Use sparingly.

Cleaning wood decking is a chore for sure, but it doesn't have to be as bad as it's all cracked up to be. Just use these pointers and the grime will be gone in a flash. Plus, once the major cleaning is done and out of the way, regular cleaning is practically a breeze (or the stroke of a broom for that matter)!