If you just got a new deck or bought a house with one, congrats and welcome to the low-maintenance family! To ensure your outdoor space looks incredible for years to come, we’d love to walk you through how to clean composite decks properly along with some common questions we get…
Can You Power Wash Composite Decking?
This is a great question and the short answer is yes. However, you certainly don’t need a power washer to clean your deck properly and if you do opt to use one, you should follow manufacturer guidelines.
How to Clean Composite Decks
The process we’re about to walk you through may seem cumbersome the first time you do it, but in reality, it shouldn’t take much time at all. If you’re tempted to grumble, just remember how much longer painting or staining your wood deck would take! Oh – and remember, you only need to do this 1-2x a year. (And no, just power washing will not safely break up all the dirt and grime that accumulates, but if you’re in a time crunch, rinsing is better than nothing.)
We’re going to walk you through our how to clean your composite deck quick guide for TimberTech PVC and composite specifically, since that’s what we recommend to most of our customers. That said, these guidelines are largely similar across all decking products. When in doubt, check with your manufacturer.
Planning Ahead
I wanted to save you the headache of reading all of this valuable info, grabbing your scrub brush, and then burying this tip at the end only for you to have to wait until tomorrow. So, here’s the thing… while you’re cleaning your deck, you’ll ideally be using a solution. You don’t want that solution to dry before you get a chance to rinse if off. It’s not an irreversible mishap, but at the very least, it’ll be a pain for you to scrub off.
So, when choosing a time to clean your deck, we recommend opting for conditions that will slow dry time such as:
- cooler weather (like morning or later in the day)
- indirect sunlight
- a partner to help rinse while you keep scrubbing
In addition to help with rinsing, having someone to help you remove everything from your deck can be immensely helpful. It’s not recommended to drag furniture across PVC or composite decking as it can scratch or gouge the surface.
Also, if you’re planning to clean walls or windows around your deck, do that before cleaning your deck so you don’t get it dirty again.
Remove Debris
Just like you do inside your home, you want to sweep before you “mop.” Take a minute with a broom or leaf blower to remove leaves, loose dirt, and any other larger debris.
Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
TimberTech doesn’t recommend using harsh chemicals or cleaners as these can actually damage or stain the boards. They actually created their own cleaning solution safe for their products; however, that solution needs to be diluted. So, take a minute to mix that together in a bucket according to the directions.
You’ll also want to grab:
- a garden hose (with a normal spray attachment if you want to make your life easier)
- a deck cleaning brush (for PVC, a stiff natural fiber brush is good, but for composite, opt for a medium nylon brush instead)
- soft cloths
- a leaf blower or sponge mop for drying
Once you’ve collected these items, you’re set to start.
Rinse, Scrub, Rinse
TimberTech recommends rinsing the surface of the deck prior to applying any of the soapy solution. While you can use a power washer on the recommended settings, a hose is really all you need. Once your decking is wet, go ahead and start scrubbing the deck in small sections with the appropriate cleaning brush. Remember to rinse each section thoroughly before you keep going to prevent any cleaning solution from drying to the surface.
(This is where having a partner to help can make the process go much quicker. It’s totally possible to do it yourself, but if someone can trail you to do the rinsing / drying, you’ll save a lot of time.)
How to Remove Stains from Composite Decking
Once you’ve completed this initial pass through, inspect the deck to see if there are any stubborn spots you need to reassess.
If so, repeat the process. You may be tempted to use strong chemicals to remove stains, but we highly recommend you stick to your manufacturer’s approved list. For TimberTech, some of these products can include Miracle Mist, Fantastik Oxy-Power Multi-Purpose Cleaner, 409 Glass & Surface Cleaner, and Clorox Clean-Up.
Again, using chemicals that are unsafe for your deck (like those that contain isopropyl alcohol, citrus, or solvents) can make stains worse or actually damage the coating.
Dry Your Deck
Here in Wisconsin, a lot of our tap water is high in minerals that leave behind deposits / spots. So, this extra step may seem like overkill, but do you really want water spots after all that work you just did? Didn’t think so. There are two ways you can dry your decking after you’re done cleaning to avoid this: a leaf blower or sponge mop. Work section by section to remove excess water starting at your house and working your way out to the edge. Once the surface is dry, you can move your furniture back onto the deck. (Just remember not to drag it.)
Cleaning Composite / Aluminum Railings
In addition to the actual decking, taking a few minutes to wipe down the railings as well can make a huge difference. Use a soft cloth and gentle cleaner approved by your manufacturer to remove dirt, pollen, or mildew. Doing so will help your railings avoid stains and look nicer longer (especially if they’re lighter in color).
Just like with the decking, however, you don’t want to leave cleaning products to sit on these surfaces to dry. Be sure to wipe them thoroughly before moving on.
How to Avoid Stains on Composite Decking
As we discuss in detail in our Maintenance Free Decking Guide, one of the reasons we love TimberTech so much is because of their superior stain and fade resistance. That said, no composite or PVC decking is stain-proof, so there are a few things you can do to prevent stubborn stains:
- Avoid applying sunscreen and bug spray on your deck. There are chemicals (like DEET) that when applied over a deck (especially in aerosolized forms that are harder to control), can result in annoying stains. Take a few extra steps out into the yard instead to avoid the headache.
- Don’t use rubber mats or tarps on your deck. They can contain chemicals that will discolor your decking.
- If you get anything oily or dyed on your deck surface or railings, do your best to clean it up right away so the stain doesn’t have a chance to set.
- Clean your deck 1-2x a year to remove surface residues.
Similar Yet Different
Every manufacturer has their own recommendations for cleaning. This is generally applicable advice, but if you want to be extra careful, reach out to your manufacturer directly. If you’re one of our clients and are more of a visual learner, check out this video tutorial from TimberTech themselves.
