Decks are a wonderful addition to any home, providing an outdoor living area that you and your guests can enjoy. However, like any living space, the deck runs the risk of being stained. Someone could drop a drink or food. Or someone could get hurt and leave blood behind. Pets laying on the deck and leaving unpleasant stains. Even nature has its ways of staining your deck. All of these events are common and unavoidable. When these incidents happen, it’s important to tackle these stains correctly. Below are common occurrences and some tips on cleaning deck stains.
Do you still have a barbeque stain on your deck from your last party? Food can leave grease and sauce stains if they make contact with your deck. The best way to remove these types of stains is to use grease-cutting dish soap and hot water. Using dish soap, you want to rub the stain with a stiff-bristled brush. Once the stain is loosened, take a wet sponge to mop up the residue. After using the sponge, rinse the area garden hose before the area is dry.
Most people do not realize that leaves can actually stain your deck. However, if your deck is close enough and the conditions are right, it can happen. Also, nearby trees can deposit sap on your deck leaving a nasty, sticky mess. First of all, let’s cover cleaning up leaf stains. All you need to clean these stains is dish detergent and warm water. You combine the dish detergent and water to create a solution that you apply to the stain. After application, let the solution sit for 15 minutes before you scrub and rinse. You also can use an oxygen bleach solution if the stain does not come out.
When trying to remove tree sap, you are going to need a scrub brush, Murphy oil soap, and water. First, you will need to apply the oil soap to soften the sap residue. Let the soap sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing the area with a brush and rinse.
Over time, mildew and mold can stain your deck. Keeping it on your deck is a health hazard, so cleaning these stains are a priority. There are multiple items that you need to clean mildew and mold. These items include:
Before you can remove the stain, you have to clean the surface with the commercial deck cleaner. If you are using a liquid deck cleaner, you can just apply it. However, if you are using powder deck cleaner, you will need to mix the powder with water. Both should be rubbed into the stain with a stiff brush or broom. After you let the solution sets, brush the area before hosing it down with water.
There are plenty of other stains that your deck can suffer. However, the best way to fight against stains is to prevent them. When building your deck, you should choose decking materials that are resistant to stains! This includes composite decking that has inherent stain resistance or woods that are difficult to stain. If you want to build your deck to prevent staining, then you should contact Miles Bradley to see what options you have!