Blotches On Composite Decking Easily Tackled With Oxygen Bleach

When the water dries, deposits are left behind, leaving unsightly spots on surfaces. This is not a defect of Trex products but an issue with the water itself. Generally these deposits can be cleaned with white vinegar on decking surfaces or use of Magic Eraser® on railing surfaces. Rinsing is required so care should be taken to not use hard water for this purpose, and if it must be used, dry with a cloth or use a blower to dry surfaces. Amazingly, many of the products recommended for mold are not only damaging to the deck, but will actually make the mold problem much worse in the long run.

Make sure to get down in the crevices and corners thoroughly. Remember - composite materials clean easier and better than the traditional wood deck, and using the soap-and-water method in chapter 1 removes most of the dirt and stains. The best way to get rid of pollen completely from composite decking is to power wash your deck. For the best practices on power washing your deck, see chapter 3 below. In this article, we cover everything you need to know and do to clean your composite deck and porch safely. Feel free to read through the article, or simply click the chapter relating to your cleaning question. Add borax to your deck cleaning mixture to remove mildew.

Step 2: Spray With Soapy Water & Scrub

Composite decking requires a little extra care when cleaning. Regular cleaning of dirt and debris can easily be done with a broom or a garden hose. For a deeper clean, always use a soft bristle scrub brush. Again, if you are using the right cleaner, less scrubbing will be required. For snow removal, choose a plastic shovel instead of metal.

How Long Do Composite Decks Last?

• For early-generation composite products (Trex Accents®, Trex Origins®, Trex Contours®, Trex Profiles® or Trex Brasilia®), we recommend a semi-annual cleaning with a composite deck cleaner.
• All exterior building materials require cleaning and a Trex deck is no different.
• To maintain the beauty of your Trex® deck, a little care and cleaning goes a long way.
• Simply scrub the solution into the decking one section at a time and rinse.
• If you must pressure wash, just remember to keep it at the lowest pressure possible and no closer than 8″ from the surface.

Delamination is a material failure which affects both the look and the structural integrity of composite decking. Decking that suffers from delamination can't be 'fixed', and in most cases will need to be replaced. If you do get mould on your deck, consult your supplier about the kinds of treatments you can use to deal with it. Most will recommend some type of composite deck cleaner or composite deck wash. In most cases these work best when applied to a dry deck, so that the agent that kills the mould attacks it right down to the root. Technologies do improve though, and there are ways to clean mould from decking as and when it appears. I’ve visited a manufacturing plant where composite decking is made and have seen how the wood fibers and plastic are kept separate until just before they enter the extruding machine.

How To Clean Composite Decking With Bleach

Address stains as soon as possible, and make sure your deck continues to maintain adequate drainage to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Keep a safe distance between the power washer and the deck surface.

For composite decking, don’t use a wood deck cleaner—rather, choose one specialized for composite lumber. If this doesn't work, you may need to try a commercial composite deck cleaning agent. Some manufacturers may require you to use a particular product in a particular way to protect both the look of the deck, and your warranty.

Decking Cleaning Tips & Tricks

You'll get common surface dirt no matter what sort of decking you choose to install. Others may recommend doing the same, albeit with a purpose-designed composite deck cleaning agent. Like other wood deck varieties, composite decking is quite porous. Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Cleaner is ideal for both manual and pressure washing to lift and remove dirt and debris from the deck surface. For how to clean composite decking DIY, start by spraying the deck off with a hose and water to remove any surface debris. Composite decks on the other hand, offer a lower level of all-around maintenance – they won’t splinter and you don’t need to worry about periodic staining, painting or sealing projects. Often, the only maintenance composite decking requires is an occasional power washing.

What I like about oxygen bleach is that it removes the gray coloration from the small wood fibers in my decking, making it look like new. The sun’s UV rays cause the wood fibers in the decking to turn gray. If this is the first time you have cleaned your deck it’s possible that there are deep set mold stains that the solution didn’t reach. They may rise to the surface at some point and need cleaning again. This may happen once or twice after the initial cleaning. Once that phase is over, keep your composite decking looking good with a necessary routine cleaning.