Cleaning decking and regular maintenance keeps your deck safe underfoot, extends its lifespan, and ensures your outdoor space looks its best throughout the year.
Over time, dirt, algae, mildew and changing weather can dull the look of decking and occasionally cause long-term damage.
Whether you have natural wood or polymer composite boards – such as WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) and BPC (Bamboo Plastic Composite) – knowing the best way to clean decking can save you time and money long-term.
What’s the Best Way to Clean Decking?
The best way of cleaning decking depends on the material – wood, composite, aluminium or other – and how dirty it is. For most scenarios, the best and most effective method is using one of two products from the Osmo maintenance range which is formulated for your specific decking material.
Best Cleaner for Wood Decking
Osmo Decking Cleaner 8025 is perfectly designed for regular maintenance and cleaning of natural wood decking with the Osmo Deck Cleaning Brush, partnered with the optional Osmo Telescopic Handle for ease of use.
Simply dilute in a bucket with water depending on the intensity of the clean you need (from 1:25 up to 1:1) and clean the wood decking along the wood grain with the Deck Cleaning Brush. After cleaning, rinse with clear water. Once complete, easily clean your brush and tools with regular soap and water so they can be used again and again.
TOP TIP
Avoid high-pressure washing on wood as they damage wood fibres very easily and strip wood finishes, leaving a very rough surface, which must then be fully sanded down and treated so it is smooth under foot. Additional time and maintenance which can easily be avoided.
Best Cleaner for Polymer Composite Decking
Osmo WPC and Aluminium Cleaner 8021 has been especially developed for polymer composite decking, as well as polymer composite and aluminium privacy fencing and garden furniture.
Dilute with water (1:20 up to 1:10) depending on the level of soiling and use with the Deck Cleaning Brush and optional Telescopic Handle for easy cleaning and maintenance. Finally rinse with clear water. Once complete, easily clean your brush and tools with regular soap and water so they can be used again and again.
Refresh
For Greyed and Weathered Wood Decking
Osmo also offers an alternative product for wood decking and furniture which is perfect for reviving greyed and weathered clean wood back to its fresh, warm, natural wood colour tones once again. Discover and watch how with Osmo Wood Reviver Power-Gel.
What Not to Use When Cleaning Decking
Let’s bust some common myths and home remedies:
Will bleach damage a wood deck?
- Yes. Bleach can cause discolouration on both bare and finished wood. In some cases, it can break down the lignin in wood, weakening its structure and causing damage to wood cells. Bleach is also toxic to plants and can disrupt the pH levels in soil harming beneficial micro-organisms.
Can I use washing up liquid to clean my decking?
- No. Generally, washing up liquid is not designed for outdoor materials and is toxic to surrounding plants and animals. It can leave residues and is not designed to effectively remove mildew or ingrained dirt. Please always read the washing up liquid label if you ignore this advice.
What does vinegar do to a wood deck?
- As vinegar is acidic, it can dull natural wood over time and is harmful to surrounding plants, animals and soil. Also, it’s not effective at breaking down algae or oil-based contaminants and therefore would not be a good alternative for cleaning.
Pressure Washing vs Deck Washing: Which is Better?
Many people ask: Is it better to pressure wash or clean a deck manually?
The answer depends on the condition of your deck.
Pros of pressure washing
- Fast for large areas
- Effective at removing deep dirt
- Good for hard tiles, concrete, brick and other masonry
Cons of pressure washing
- Can damage wood fibres and warp some surfaces
- Can strip oils, paints and/or coatings
- May force water deep into the boards
Jet washing decking is possible, but even when using a low-pressure setting and keeping the nozzle moving, problems still may occur.
For many, cleaning a decking manually with a quality product and brush, is often safer and better for the surface, removing additional maintenance and repairs after pressure washing, especially for softwoods and older decking boards.
What Is the Fastest Way to Clean a Deck?
The fastest way isn’t always the best. Pressure washing may seem like a shortcut, but it can do more harm than good.
For speed and safety:
- Sweep off loose debris
- Dilute Osmo Decking Cleaner or Osmo WPC and Aluminium Cleaner to desired ratio
- Scrub with a deck cleaning brush (along the grain for wood)
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
You’ll have a fresh and clean surface ready in no time.
Maintaining Your Deck After Cleaning
Ongoing decking maintenance is key to keeping your deck looking great and reducing the need for a full restoration each year.
- Clean regularly with Osmo Decking Cleaner or Osmo WPC and Aluminium Cleaner
- Sweep regularly to prevent build-up of dust, dirt and decaying organic matter
- Reapply Osmo Decking-Oil when you see signs of wear
Effective Decking Cleaner, Advice and Suppliers
Decking isn’t a quick and cheap installation, therefore, when it comes to cleaning decking, there is no need to take shortcuts or risks with harsh chemicals or cheap products and home remedies, which can ruin your decking investment.
Use Osmo for professionally-formulated products designed specifically for your decking material to keep your outdoor space looking beautiful all year round.
For help and advice, visit the Osmo Help Centre today or contact the expert technical team to discuss your wood project.
Go one step further by using and downloading the Osmo Recommends app. Answer a few questions about your project and receive perfect product recommendations from the experts, right at your fingertips.
Then, find you nearest Osmo Supplier online today by searching your postcode or using the interactive map.