Three Parts Of Cleaning Deck Using Bleach
Decks are considered one of the best additions to any house that will give a homeowner luxury to enjoy and experience nature frequently. However, it is very unfortunate that the decks are often vulnerable & prone to dirt as well as algae due to the reason that they are mostly placed outside. Immediately after noticing dirt & algae on your deck, you need to treat it as soon as possible. Chlorine bleach is not considered a great cleaner for a wood deck, instead, it is highly recommended to use powdered oxygen bleach in order to scrub down and clean your deck without harming the deck's wood or any adjoining plant life.
Part 1: Loosening Surface Debris
- Move All The Furniture Off Of The Deck: First of all, you need to move the furniture off the deck, due to the reason that it will get in the way as you clean. Remove all planters, seats, as well as tables from your deck before starting to clean it.
- Sweep Down Your Deck: With the help of a dry brush or broom, get rid of the initial dirt as well as dust from the deck. If you remove the dirt & dust before the deck gets wet, it will be easier to get rid of the grime and algae later. Clean the deck in large sweeping motions and work all the way from up and down your deck as long as it's free of debris and dust. You can get rid of debris like sticks, leaves, as well as seeds with the help of a leaf blower. Apart from this, you could use a shop vacuum in order to get in betwixt crevices.
- Spray Down Your Deck With A Hose To Loosen Dirt: With the help of a garden hose, spray in a uniform motion throughout the deck. If in case you have a pressurized attachment, ensure that the pressure is not too high and also not too low. Fit in the nozzle so that the hose produces a fan of water and not a single stream. If in case you don't have an adjustable nozzle, fit your thumb over half of the opening on the end of the hose in order to produce a similar effect. If in case the pressure is too high on your hose, then it can produce a discoloration on the surface of your deck.
Part 2: Removing Algae And Dirt
- Mix Warm Water And Powdered Oxygen Bleach: Make a mixture of 2 gallons of warm water with 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach in a 5-gallon bucket & combine the solution together with the help of a sponge or brush that you use in order to scrub down your deck. Keep combining the solution as long as the components are well incorporated.
- Scrub Down Your Deck With A Synthetic Brush Or Sponge: If in case you don't have a deck brush, then use a large porous sponge in order to scrub down the surface of your deck. Generously, wet through the deck surface with the solution, before scrubbing the deck as long as the solution starts to lather.
- Let The Suds Sit On The Deck For 5 Minutes: Allow the suds to sit on the deck, which in turn, will permit the oxygen bleach to soak up the dirt as well as algae on your deck. Make sure not to let the solution rigorously dry on the deck, otherwise, it can leave a film on the surface.
- Rinse Down Your Deck: With the help of the hose, rinse down your deck. If there is non-availability of a hose, get buckets of water from an indoor faucet in order to use that to rinse down the deck. It is important that all of the bleach solutions is rinsed away & then allow your deck air dry.
Part 3: Treating Mildew And Stains
- Create An Oxygen Bleach Paste To Spot Clean Your Deck: If there is no need for a full cleaning of your deck, however, you find out an excess buildup of algae or dirt, then you can make a more concentrated paste with your bleach. Simply make a mixture of a little water & some oxygen bleach powder and combine the solution together with a spoon as long as it forms a thick paste. Put or spread the paste to the dirty areas of your deck with the help of a nylon brush and let it sit for nearly 15 minutes before rigorously rinsing it off.
- Add Borax To Your Deck Cleaning Mixture: Make a solution of one cup of borax with your bleach and water in the bucket. Wear gloves & mix the solution together and apply it to specific areas on your deck where mildew has formed. Borax can generally be found in the laundry detergent that is a mineral compound that won't destroy your nearby plants.
- Don't Use Power Washers Or Chlorine Bleach To Wash Your Deck: Power washers can at times be too powerful that could damage the wood forever. Instead of using a power washer, pressurized adjustment on your hose or a lighter pressure spray machine is the best option to use. Never use chlorine bleach for the purpose of washing your deck, due to the reason that it is toxic to plant life, can also discolor your wood, as well as reduces the integrity of the wood.