Clean up any food or liquid spills with a paper towel and if that does not work, use the handy soap and water technique to remove any food debris. Even if you have grease stains from food debris, warm soapy water should be all you need. General Scratches: Scuffs and imperfections are a result of normal use, and can be left alone to naturally fade away over time. Treat stains with oxygen bleach paste. To treat a stubborn stain, mix just enough warm water with a small amount of powdered oxygen bleach to make a paste. Apply directly on the stain with a stiff-bristle brush and leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse. After cleaning the test board, I tried out the cleaner on a sidewalk and a courtyard wall where a Boston ivy had left tannin stains. Simple Green cleaned them both, and I didn’t have to worry about overspray hurting my ornamental plants or the lawn.

Variable wood grain patterns and PermaTech coatings provide a highly realistic alternative to timber. It also lasts longer and has a very similar look and feel, without the maintenance problems that can occur. Furthermore, this exterior coating means oil, grease and other spoilages can easily be wiped off with a simple combination of warm soapy water and a soft brush, in contrast to the difficulties of removing stubborn stains from timber and wood.When using a mild detergent or soap, be sure to use a soft approach and follow the instructions for dilution ratios and application methods to achieve optimal cleaning results with warm soapy water. Eco-Friendly Options When you compare it to the Everbuild you won’t have any issues at all with the quality. Both are up to the job of killing and loosening Algae and mould, taking a fair bit of the strain out of the process. I’ll say it again though, with volume it’s probably even more important – you could do with a jet washer to lighten the load. Mould Growth: Break up the mouldy patches with a soft brush and then wash them away with warm, soapy water. Regular cleaning is the best way to prevent regrowth.

Citra-Shield—a product designed specifically to kill algae—also failed to make the cut. I filled a pump-sprayer with the product (no diluting) and took it to a tiny rural cemetery where I knew the headstones had plenty of algae growth. I saturated two headstones with the cleaner and then went home to give Citra-Shield the required time to work. This section explores various cleaner types, such as manufacturer-recommended products, mild detergents, and eco-friendly options, aiding you in making a well-informed decision. Recommended CleanersSprinkle baking soda on the mildew or mold with the vinegar solution and let sit for 20 minutes. This will allow the solution to break up the mildew or mold, making it easier to remove. Need to be careful when applying as you can fade your boards (only temporary until stain applied though) Krud Kutter comes in a 1-gallon jug and makes 11 gallons of cleaning solution when diluted, which is enough to clean up to 2,000 square feet. That’s a lot of cleaning power for the price. Don’t want to put in a lot of elbow grease? Consider Wet & Forget Outdoor Cleaner Concentrate. A liquid concentrate that dilutes with water, it doesn’t require any scrubbing, mopping, or even rinsing. It dilutes at a 1:5 (cleaner to water) ratio, is safe for use on walkways and most types of siding, and the 1-gallon jug will treat up to 2,250 square feet.

While the cleaner is designed to be used with a pressure washer, it can also be diluted and applied manually with a brush. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Simple Green as a "Safer Choice," meaning it is more eco-friendly than many competing products. Then, per the manufacturer’s directions, I wet down one end of the painted board with water and poured on a small amount of Star brite—full strength. After letting the solution sit for a few minutes to soften the stains, I wiped the board with a soft rag, and the mud and grease came right off. To complete the test, I rinsed the board with water to remove any errant cleaner, and once it was completely dry, I inspected the paint. It looked great—as intact as the other end of the board that I hadn’t cleaned. The wood fibres, plastics and bonding agents are mixed and heated to be made into board length shapes. The boards are further pressed with a wood grain onto the surface and then cooled.

Prep the Deck for Cleaning

Hose pipes will remove loose dirt, especially if used with an attachment that directs water with a more concentrated jet.