Anybody know how to clean garden decking?

Am hoping to clean the decking in the garden tomorrow afternoon if the weathers nice - it's quite dirty and has some green algae on it but the chemicals I've seen to do the job are VERY expensive. Decking restore (cuprinol) states that it restores decking to that 'as new' condition but it's £18 a tin! Then they recommend that you seal the boards afterwards (that's another £10)





Anyone know if there's a cheaper way to do this? I've heard that bleach actually harms the wood so am reluctant to use that. Any suggestions?

Anybody know how to clean garden decking?
i use a jet washer to do mine.





theres a circular spinning attachment, that meant for flags and paving, it prevents the mucky water bouncing back up at you.





if you dont own a jet washer, you can rent them for about £15.
Reply:Do a power washing. If you have to rent a small one, that is the best way to clean a deck without killing yourself.





Bleach is OK as long as the boards are wet to start with and you are using a 10% bleach solution, which is one part bleach to nine parts water. Spray affected area and scrub with a medium-soft brush. Rinse well. After it has dried, seal.
Reply:Just jetwash it they are cheap enough to buy now and you can use that every year then paint it with a coloured shed and fence paint which if you buy a bucket will also last you for a couple of years...will probably cost you about £40 for the next 3 years decking cleaning
Reply:Get rid of it. I find decking horrible. Put down some turf, or turn it into a vegetable plot.





People don't realise that when they get rid of their gardens and the trees, flooding will occur when it rains. You get water run-off from concrete and other such dense surfaces. Drains/sewers cannot cope with that amount of water from house roofs let alone other areas of nonporous developmnets springing up because people are too lazy to mow a lawn or make use of their fertile soil in their gardens. The trees roots bind and strengthen the earth.





People will never learn.... tsk!
Reply:You could powerwash it. They can usually be rented at a DIY center. No chemicals would be involved, just water.
Reply:I would water blast it (borrow a water blaster)





to get rid of weeds use boiling water
Reply:· Clean the deck thoroughly to remove embedded dirt, fungus stains and gray surface wood with a formulated deck cleaner like Wolmanâ Deck %26amp; Fence Brightener. The weathered gray wood left behind from last year’s sun exposure, black or green stains from mildew, moss and algae, or brown-black tannin bleed common on new Cedar can ruin the look of your deck. Even newly built decks can require cleaning to remove invisible surface barriers like mill glaze on new Cedar or excess wax on pressure-treated wood. These invisible barriers can prevent the adhesion of protective coatings, including colored stains and clear sealers. Wolmanâ Deck %26amp; Fence Brightener, removes surface barriers, gray wood surfaces and even the toughest of stains and restores the wood to its natural beauty without bleaching or yellowing, like chlorine bleach can.





· Strip any deteriorating or unwanted finish. If the colored stain on your deck has seen better days – or if you want a different look – now is the time to strip your deck’s finish. Products like Wolmanâ DeckStripâ Stain %26amp; Finish Remover remove both oil and latex solid or semi-transparent stains and clear finishes and prepares the wood for the reapplication of protective finishes and stains. Deckstrip works fast, and can strip years of multiple coatings buildup in 15 minutes.





· Once the wood is restored and your deck is rid of any surface barriers or unwanted finishes, it should be sealed with a protective water repellent finish. You may want to apply a semi-transparent stain to enhance your deck’s appeal, or a transparent finish to let the natural wood color and texture show through. But, even if you are undecided on whether or not to stain – or on the deck color – it’s important, at minimum, to protect it with a clear water repellent. Water repellents stop spring showers from penetrating the wood surface, which can cause swelling, shrinking, warping and cracking. Many water repellents, including products like Wolmanâ RainCoatâ, also contain a mildewcide that will impede the growth of mildew on your deck during the warm months ahead. Look for products like Wolman RainCoat, that offer a guarantee on water-repellent longevity, as they will provide longer lasting protection so you won’t have to apply a new coat every year.





Preparing your deck for spring will protect your investment in it and enhance the enjoyment of your outdoor living space.





For more information on Wolman wood cleaners, strippers and water repellent finishes, call the company’s technical service department at (800) 556-7737. Or, visit the Wolman web site at www.wolman.com for more helpful deck care tips.