Over time, your deck will become dirty and damaged due to weather, heavy use, and exposure to sunlight. The stain and wood sealer on your deck will break down and will not protect the wood as well as it did when it was first applied. Regular cleaning of your deck to remove dirt, mildew, mold, and grime can extend the life of the wood and improve the overall appearance of your yard.

In this handy guide, we put together some of our favorite tips and tricks for deck cleaning. From quick DIY deck cleaning to full heavy-duty pressure washing, here is everything you need to clean your deck!

Quick Links:
DIY Eco-Friendly Deck Cleaning
DIY Chemical Scrub Deck Cleaning
Eco-Friendly Power Washing
Detergent Pressure Washing for Highly Soiled Decks

Option 1: Quick and Eco-Friendly Deck Cleaning

This first option for deck cleaning involves a quick sweeping and scrubbing method that is safe for almost any deck, and won’t harm plants around the area. This method will work best for lightly soiled wood decks.

What You Will Need:

Soft bristle broom
Hard bristle brush
Hot water
Eco-friendly cleaner or detergent (most options will be bleach-free, oxygen activated cleaners)
5 gallon bucket

Step 1
Use the soft bristle broom to sweep the deck and remove all excess dirt and debris. Brushes with long, soft bristles work the best because they can get into the cracks and divots of the wood. Thoroughly sweep the area twice for best results.

Step 2
In the 5 gallon bucket, mix the eco-friendly deck cleaning solution with hot water. Follow the instructions on the bottle for best results.

Step 3
Use the hard-bristle brush to apply the water-cleaner solution evenly to the deck. Dip the brush into the bucket, then scrub hard to remove deep stains and dirt. Start in one corner, and work toward an exit (stairs or doorway) so you don’t have to walk on the newly scrubbed wood. After one scrubbing, let the wood dry and repeat step 3 until you achieve the desired results.
Step 4
Rinse the deck with a garden hose to remove all excess detergent.

Option 2: DIY Deck Cleaning With Heavy Duty Detergent

This second option for deck cleaning is similar to option 1, but requires an extra step due to the use of heavy duty detergents. This method will work best on mild to medium soiled decks.

What You Will Need:

Soft bristle broom
Hard bristle brush
Hot water
Chemical deck cleaning detergent (some options use bleach)
Plastic sheets or plastic drop cloths
Duct tape
5 gallon bucket

Step 1
Use the soft bristle broom to sweep the deck and remove all excess dirt and debris. Thoroughly sweep the area clean twice for best results.

Step 2
Use the plastic drop cloth to cover the areas around your deck where plants and grass are growing. Since the detergent you are using may contain bleach, it is important to protect delicate surfaces before you begin cleaning. You can use duct tape to keep the drop cloth in place, or simply drape the drop cloth over bushes and plants.

Step 3
In the 5 gallon bucket, mix the bleach or chemical solution with hot water. Follow the instructions on the bottle for best potency and results.

Step 4
Use the hard-bristle brush to apply the water + cleaner solution evenly to the deck. Scrub hard to remove deep stains and dirt. Start in one corner, and work toward an exit (stairs or doorway) so you don’t have to walk on the newly scrubbed wood. After one scrubbing, let the wood dry and repeat step 4 until you achieve the desired results.

Step 5
Lightly rinse the deck with a garden hose to remove all excess detergent.

Option 3: Eco Friendly Power Washing

Pressure washing a deck is a great option for heavily soiled decks that haven’t been cleaned regularly. Pressure washing can clean deep stains and dirt that brushes can’t easily remove. Some homeowners choose to buy a pressure washer since they can be used for many household projects, but others choose to rent a pressure washer instead.

What You Will Need:

Soft bristle broom
Water hose connected to faucet or alternate water source
Eco-friendly cleaner or detergent with spray pump (most options will be bleach-free, oxygen activated cleaners)
Hot water pressure washer (purchase or rent)

Step 1
Use the soft bristle broom to sweep the deck and remove all excess dirt and debris. Thoroughly sweep the area clean twice for best results.

Step 2
Use the spray pump bottle to evenly apply the detergent onto the deck. If you are using the pressure washer to apply the detergent, use a low pressure setting to get a wide, even coat onto the whole deck. Let the detergent work into the wood for a few minutes before moving on to step 3.

Step 3
Set the pressure washer to a high-pressure setting, and use a fan tip on the hose. You do not want to use a highly focused tip that will dig into the wood and damage the surface. Using a sweeping motion, work your way across the deck pressure washing back and forth. You will see immediate results as the pressure washer forcefully removes dirt and debris from the deck. Go slowly and make sure not to miss any spots, as those dirty spots will show once the deck is cleaned.

Step 4
Rinse the deck with a garden hose to remove all excess detergent.

Option 4: Detergent Pressure Washing for Highly Soiled Decks

This is the strongest and most effective method for cleaning a deck. In this method, you will be using strong chemicals with the pressure washer, so it is important to cover all plants, grass, and surrounding belongings to ensure you don’t damage your property.

What You Will Need:

Soft bristle broom
Water hose connected to faucet or alternate water source
Chemical deck cleaner or detergent with spray pump
Hot water pressure washer (purchase or rent)
Plastic drop cloths
Duct tape

Step 1
Use the soft bristle broom to sweep the deck and remove all excess dirt, debris, and grime. Thoroughly sweep the area twice for best results.

Step 3
Use the plastic drop cloth to cover the areas around your deck. Since the detergent you are using may contain bleach or other strong chemicals, it is important to protect delicate surfaces before you begin cleaning. You can use duct tape to keep the drop cloth in place, or simply drape the drop cloth over bushes and plants.

Step 4
Set the pressure washer to a high-pressure setting, and use a fan tip on the hose. You do not want to use a highly focused tip that will dig into the wood and damage the surface. Using a sweeping motion, work your way across the deck pressure washing back and forth. Be mindful of the spray coming off of the deck and make sure your plastic drop cloths stay in place. You will see immediate results as the pressure washer forcefully removes dirt and debris from the deck. Go slowly and make sure not to miss any spots, as those dirty spots will show once the deck is cleaned.

Step 5
Rinse the deck with a garden hose to remove all excess detergent.

About the author

Bob Lye