Best way to clean decking ?

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Hi

we have quite a bit of wooden decking in our garden which is looking really filthy, lots of green algae and just really dirty, ive tried deck cleaner stuff in the past and found it was not
that good,tried a pressyre hose and again not thrilled with the results, , so looking for any tips from the good housekeeping traffic to see how you clean yours ?

[OiMissus]

We borrowed a super-strength industrial pressure washer - much better than the domestic kind. You can hire them. It still takes a while...

[PigletJohn]

is it usually damp?

when did you last treat it?

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Its been sodden all winter really, just drying out over the last couple if days, cant really remember when it was treated last, its a south facing garden though so not wet or in the shade all year.

[PigletJohn]

being wet will cause moss, algae, black slime.

When was it last treated?

[PigletJohn]

sorry

I'd recommend laying in a stock of water-repellent decking stain, and giving it a powerful blast with a pressure sprayer. This will wash off the old stain and all the dirt and moss. Give it a few sunny days (ha!) to dry off, then give it two coats of stain.

If there are any black parts, treat them with wood preservative and allow to dry before applying the stain.

Decking oil is not moisture-proof.

[Caoilainn]

Need to clean and treat my decking soon.
What is the best way to do it PigletJohn and what product should i use to treat it?
We moved in last year, so no idea when it was last done.

Sorry fr the hijack op!

[PigletJohn]

pressure jet and water, close to, will blast it clean.

The stuff I use is in a green rectangular tub, I think it is by Ronseal. I expect there are other reputable brands. Decking stain is more durable than fence stain because it gets walked on. You can apply on top of old coats if they are not degraded (so every couple of years)

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Its been sodden all winter really, just drying out over the last couple if days, cant really remember when it was treated last, its a south facing garden though so not wet or in the shade all year.

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Oops sorry did mean to post the same message again !

[Chelvis]

Thanks for posting this thread, ours is looking awful too. The rotting leaves on it certainly aren't helping! I think I will have to hire a pressure washer too as scrubbing doesn't seem to shift it.

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

I have a small patch just by my back door ive poured a boiled kettle of water over it, some washing up liquid and bleach, scrubbed with a brush and its come up lovely, really hard work though ! Dont think I will be able to do all of it like this !

[PigletJohn]

boiling water might not be good for the timber.

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Ohhh ok ! It does look good though !

[VeryStressedMum]

Dh has used a decking brush to clean the decking, what else he used i don't know. But i think that's because we didn't have a pressure washer, it might be easier and less hard graft to just use that.

[PigletJohn]

if water and a brush get it clean, that's great. Accumulated wet leaves and standing water would damage it, as will loss of the protective stain or oil.

Once neglected. they need more work to get them right.

[Caoilainn]

Thanks PigletJohn, I'll look got whatever is in the green, rectangular tub, with so many to choose from i like something to base my decision on!

Some of my decking is next to the fence, can I use the decking stuff for both or should I buy fence stain separate?

My karsher washer broke does anyone know how much pressure washers are to hire?

Sorry for all the questions but i had a quote for my decking an it was £200...if I can do it cheaper and as well...

[PigletJohn]

fence stain is a lot cheaper, but you can use decking stain if you have some left over.

[Caoilainn]

Brilliant, thank you!

[Stillcomingtoterms]

I used soda crystals on ours last year with a stiff decking brush. It took a day to do but came up clean and all the algae had gone.

This year it needs treating so ill jet wash any old stain off and the dirt in the cracks and then restrain with decking stain.

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Did you dissolve the crystals in water first or just sprinkle and then scrub ?

[Stillcomingtoterms]

I just sprinkled them on the decking and then dunked a stiff decking brush in a bowl of warm water to rub them in.
It certainly burnt off some calories!

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Lol same here with the bleach and washing up liquid, but will give the soda crystals a go at the weekend !