Deck cleaning suggestions?

[Omaha Cy]

Moved into our home last Thanksgiving. Deck w/ treated lumber had obviously not been maintained by previous owners in recent years. About 5 weeks ago, I took a power washer to it to get the worst of it cleaned. The mildew/etc was so bad on it that it was slippery when it got wet from rain.

I'd like to further clean it a bit and get stain/sealant on it here in a few weeks before the weather turns too cold. What recommendations do you have for cleaning any remaining mildew/fungi. Overall the tops of the boards look good now, but the sides of the deck boards(in the cracks between boards) have obvious mildew discoloring, which will need to be scrubbed clean.

I've reading good things about oxygen bleach as it more environmentally friendly, and not as bad to breath in compared to regular chlorinated bleach. Any better suggestions? The handrail spindles are actually in pretty good shape, but I'll probably want to scrub those a little as well. Goal is to get this cleaned in the next 5 days or so.

 

[TRZA]

Is this about coaching changes for football or literally cleaning a deck?

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

I remember helping my father do this maybe 10 years ago. We rented a steam power washer that got above 140 degrees or so and killed all the mold. Then let it dry completely, stained and sealed.

 

[Antihawk240]

Not sure what you should use, but I recommend doing it 7:00 pm next Saturday night.

 

[ZJohnson]

I'd suggest this stuff...

[video=youtube;Kds80xmLUPA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kds80xmLUPA[/video]

 

[JP4CY]

When you seal it, I've had good success with this at half the cost of a lot of other brands:

 

[Cyclone06]

I think either Benjamin Moore Restore - Wood Restorer or Benjamin Moore Clean is what you are after. Can get these at the Woodsmiths store.

We used the restore on our deck recently (it does not get much sun so it got pretty bad over the years) and it was night and day different. Pretty easy to use... spray on, let sit, scubb, rinse, stand in awe.

 

[cytech]

I remember helping my father do this maybe 10 years ago. We rented a steam power washer that got above 140 degrees or so and killed all the mold. Then let it dry completely, stained and sealed.

Whatever you do, don't do this.

High pressure is bad for wood, Hot high pressure is very bad for wood.

http://www.opwdecks.com/restore-a-deck.htm

This is a sodium percabonate cleaner which is the oxy clean type cleaning detergent you are looking for.

This will work good as long as you are not trying to remove another stain or sealer. Just apply it with a pump up sprayer, scrub with a deck scrub brush, then rinse with garden hose. If you have a pressure washer you can skip the deck scrub brush portion and use upto 1000 psi to remove soiling. Using more than 1000 psi can risk leaving grooves or divets in the wood.

I use Armstrong Oil Based Deck Stain commercially which is available to home owners on that same site.

If you want to choose something different make sure you choose a semi transparent oil or water based stain for best results in an Iowa climate. You don't want any acrylic or solid stain products.

 

[ripvdub]

Have you tried any of the cleaner/stripper type liquids meant for decks?

 

[kurimski]

I just did this to my deck as I moved into a house where the deck was t maintained with a lot of chipping paint. I stripped it with Deckover, then used a Deckover cleaner, and then just painted it this past weekend. Very happy with the results! I'd use the Deckover brand and I got everything at Home Depot. I'd recommend using a power washer to help strip it completely as your new stain will need to bond directly with the wood and not a previous stain.

 

[00clone]

Misread "deck" for a second and thought this was going to be a very weird thread.

 

[Cydaddy]

Make sure you use a cleaner then a brightener. Check out twpstains.com. Lots of good advice. Have used their products on several decks and been happy.

 

[cyclonebillski]

Usually a bar of soap, a wash cloth, and some thorough scrubbing.

 

[cyclonebillski]

On a serious note, I redid my deck last year and power washed the grey moldy look off. Cleaned it up nice, but have to be careful cuz you can shred the wood. Used the Behr restore and I would not recommend it. It made it a few months and any high traffic area is peeling up and anywhere my dog ran has scratched up. I'd go with a nice stain or heavy duty paint. There are class action lawsuits on most restore products.

 

[cytech]

On a serious note, I redid my deck last year and power washed the grey moldy look off. Cleaned it up nice, but have to be careful cuz you can shred the wood. Used the Behr restore and I would not recommend it. It made it a few months and any high traffic area is peeling up and anywhere my dog ran has scratched up. I'd go with a nice stain or heavy duty paint. There are class action lawsuits on most restore products.

Paint isnt good for the traffic areas on outside decks in this climate because it just doesn't last. You can use paint on your railings for a two tone look though.

And as I mentioned before only use a semi transparent oil or water based stain. Everyone of Behr's products are crap and will not last in Iowa, and are extremely difficult to maintain.

 

[Clonefan94]

Whatever you do, don't do this.

High pressure is bad for wood, Hot high pressure is very bad for wood.

http://www.opwdecks.com/restore-a-deck.htm

This is a sodium percabonate cleaner which is the oxy clean type cleaning detergent you are looking for.

This will work good as long as you are not trying to remove another stain or sealer. Just apply it with a pump up sprayer, scrub with a deck scrub brush, then rinse with garden hose. If you have a pressure washer you can skip the deck scrub brush portion and use upto 1000 psi to remove soiling. Using more than 1000 psi can risk leaving grooves or divets in the wood.

I use Armstrong Oil Based Deck Stain commercially which is available to home owners on that same site.

If you want to choose something different make sure you choose a semi transparent oil or water based stain for best results in an Iowa climate. You don't want any acrylic or solid stain products.

I was just going to mention Trisodium Phosphate and water solution. It can be a little harsh on wood, but if a power washer didn't get rid of everything you needed to get rid of, it might be worth it for you.

 

[BoxsterCy]

I have redwood and cedar so have never used a power washers since these woods are too soft and easy to damage. Every few years I have resorted to wet washing with old fashion **** 'n Span and a deck brush. Brush it in a little and let it soak, brush a little more and wash off. Top coated with semi-transparent Weatherscreen. Repeat every two-three years.

Apparently no one has any great ideas on how to get the stuff clean between the board gaps. Mine has never been that bad so no hints on that either.