Using bleach to clean the garden decking can alter the natural pH level of the wood. This will actually damage the cellular structure of your wood decking. Wood is a slightly acidic item with a near neutral pH level. Bleach has a basic pH level. When the bleach is applied to the wooden decking it will not only break down the fibres of the wood, but it will also prematurely age your decking. The bleach can also corrode any of the metal fasteners within your garden decking.
How do you clean a deck with bleach?
To clean a deck with bleach, start by spraying the deck with a hose to loosen any caked-on dirt or debris. Then, working outside or in a well-ventilated area, mix 2 gallons of water and 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach in a bucket. Once you've prepared the bleach solution, scrub the deck with it using a brush or sponge and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Is bleach bad for wood decking?
Bleach Is Bad For Wood. There is a lot of debate as to whether or not bleach or bleach-based products can be used to clean a wood deck. After all, bleach is cheap and readily available and has always been known as a household cleaner. To better understand this dilemma, let’s take a look at what bleach is.
How can I brighten a discolored wood deck?
You can remove discoloration and brighten a deck's appearance by bleaching the wood, using commercial wood brightener or oxygen bleach. A stiff brush will work just as well as a power washer...
Can you use washing powder to clean a deck?
Regular washing powder, as well as dish washing detergent, can wash your deck just as effectively as a commercial deck cleaner. Mix the detergent with equal parts warm water and pour it on to your deck. Scrub the solution with a long-handled brush and then rinse the decking with water from a water hose. Detergents work on sealed and unsealed wood.
How do I clean my deck with bleach?
This is a great DIY solution based on bleach, fit for a concrete patio that has been lightly stained.Mix bleach, water, and 1/8 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent;Put the solution in a spraying bottle;Spray the surface of your deck very well;Allow it to sit for just a few minutes;More items...•
Will bleach take stain off deck?
Bleach will not remove some of the dirt and grime that may be present in the wood. Removing old existing deck stains or sealers from the wood prior to refinishing is another crucial step in restoring a deck. Bleach will also not remove these contaminants resulting in a poor finish.
How much bleach do you put on a deck?
Pour 2¾ cups of Clorox™ ProResults® Outdoor Bleach into 1 gallon of water in a plastic bucket or container. Apply bleach solution using a brush or broom on horizontal surfaces, and a sponge or mop on vertical surfaces. Heavily soiled surfaces may require additional scrubbing. Wait 5 minutes for disinfecting.
What is best to clean decking?
To avoid damaging your decking, create a gentle cleaning solution with warm water and liquid dish soap. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. Saturate the surface and scrub the deck with a stiff-bristled brush or sponge until the cleaning solution starts to lather.
What happens if you put bleach on wood?
The use of bleach can cause several types of discolorations on both bare and finished wood. If the wood is bare, any discolorations that may appear can usually be corrected either chemically or by physically removing the discolored wood.
Will bleach hurt wood?
Common laundry bleach or chlorine will effectively remove stain or dye color from wood, but will not affect the wood's natural color.
How do I clean the green off my deck?
White distilled vinegar: White vinegar is a popular natural cleaner that can be used both inside and outside. Simply combine one gallon of water with one cup of white vinegar and scrub the deck with the solution to remove algae, mold, and mildew.
How do I make deck cleaner?
0:212:55Simple Easy DIY Deck Cleaning Solution - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo now beyond the solution you want to use an old broom like I have here you can use a sponge mop IMoreSo now beyond the solution you want to use an old broom like I have here you can use a sponge mop I also have a pair of safety glasses that I'm wearing because well I am working with bleach.
How do you clean dirty deck stains?
Mix one cup of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent in a bucket of warm water. Pour the mixture onto the stained decking, and allow it to soak into the wood for about 15 minutes. Then use a stiff-bristle nylon brush to scrub the stains from the surface. Rinse with clean water and repeat, if necessary.
Will washing powder clean decking?
Clean the Deck With a General Washing Detergent This is an easy-to-make DIY cleaning solution for your decking if the surface is just generally dirty and doesn't have stubborn stains. You can use any all-purpose washing product, including a laundry powdered detergent.
Can I use washing-up liquid to clean my decking?
Simply use a mix of washing-up liquid in warm water. If you're wary about damaging the look of your decking (especially if it's made of a softer timber), then take a careful approach. A sponge or very light abrasive such as a nylon kitchen scourer can be used along the grain, says Jacksons Fencing.
Is it OK to pressure wash decking?
If you have timber deck boards, a power washer's pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibres. If the timber surface already has some splintering, pressure washing will only exacerbate the issue.
How do you remove stain from deck boards?
0:512:23How to Strip Old Wood or Deck Stain or Paint - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAppearance apply stain stripper with a nylon brush or roller. Only apply state stripper to areasMoreAppearance apply stain stripper with a nylon brush or roller. Only apply state stripper to areas where you want the coating to be removed. Wait 5 to 45.
How do you clean a stained deck?
2:003:04How to Clean and Prepare a Wood Deck for Staining - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApplication apply olympic deck cleaner at full strength with a pump style garden. Sprayer. ApplyMoreApplication apply olympic deck cleaner at full strength with a pump style garden. Sprayer. Apply liberally and allow to stand for 5 to 10 minutes scrubbing is not typically required.
How do you bleach pressure treated wood?
Mix an oxygen bleach solution of one part powdered bleach to nine parts water in a garden sprayer or spray bottle. Heavier soiling or deep green or black mold on your wood can go with a stronger solution of one part oxygen bleach to four parts water.
Is 30 second cleaner just bleach?
30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner does not contain regular household bleach. Instead, 30 SECONDS uses a sodium-hypochlorite formula that works rapidly to clean stains from algae, mold and mildew. Unlike bleach, it's safe to use around your lawn and landscaping and breaks down once rinsed into the soil.
How long does it take for bleach to clean a deck?
Once you've prepared the bleach solution, scrub the deck with it using a brush or sponge and let it sit for 5 minutes. Finally, rinse off the deck with a hose to remove all of the bleach residue. To learn how to remove mildew and stains on a deck using bleach, scroll down!
What is the best way to keep a deck clean?
A proper application of a sealer will help keep the deck clean and in better condition.
What happens if you put too much pressure on a deck hose?
If the pressure is too high on your hose, it can create discoloration on the surface of your deck.
What to wear when working with bleach?
Remember to wear water-proof gloves, boots, and possibly rain pants when working with bleach.
Can bleach be used on a deck?
Unfortunately, decks are often susceptible to dirt and algae because they're outside. Contrary to popular belief, chlorine bleach is not a great cleaner for a wood deck. Luckily, you can use powdered oxygen bleach to scrub down and clean your deck without damaging the deck's wood or any surrounding plantlife. Steps.
Can you use chlorine bleach on a deck?
Instead of using a power washer, use a pressurized adjustment on your hose or a lighter pressure spray machine. Never use chlorine bleach to wash your deck.
What Is an Alternative to Bleaching Your Wood Deck?
Rather than using oxygen bleach, you can simply opt for the main ingredient, hydrogen peroxide. It performs just as well in the department of cleaning and sanitizing, but saves on the extra sodium found in bleach.
What is the best way to clean a wood deck?
The Solution: Use Oxygen Bleach on Your Wood Deck
How Often Should You Clean Your Deck?
Ideally, you’ll want to clean your deck every few months without ble ach. This can be a simple hose down with a higher water pressure than usual. Unless the dirt is really bad, you shouldn’t even need a pressure washer.
What is the best bleach for countertops?
Chlorine bleach, which is probably your go-to for countertops, sinks, and tubs, seemingly works miracles by killing off bacteria and mildew and eliminating stains.
Does bleach hurt wood decks?
Not only does chlorine bleach negatively impact your wood deck, but it can take a toll on the surrounding lawn and landscape. After a hit of bleach, those beautiful boxwoods you worked so hard to grow will start to wither and die. Ouch.
Can you stain a deck with a pH balancer?
After you’ve applied the pH balancer and it has sat on the wood per the label’s instructions, you can start the process of staining or paintingyour wood deck again. Cleaning a painted deck has a slightly different process which includes using very mild cleaners and avoiding using any type of high water pressure.
Can you use hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach?
Rather than using oxygen bleach, you can simply opt for the main ingredient, hydrogen peroxide. It performs just as well in the department of cleaning and sanitizing, but saves on the extra sodium found in bleach.
Can you bleach a deck?
You won’t if you use bleach to clean it! Bleach has the potential to lighten the colour of your decking. If you have stained, painted or natural wood decking in your garden, bleach is likely to lighten the colour of your decking.
Does bleach damage wood?
Bleach can actually break down the natural polymers in the wood. These polymers are what hold the wood together. By breaking them down you will be causing surface damage to your wooden garden decking.
Does bleach corrode metal?
When the bleach is applied to the wooden decking it will not only break down the fibres of the wood, but it will also prematurely age your decking. The bleach can also corrode any of the metal fasteners within your garden decking.
Is bleach good for decking?
Chlorine bleach is great for cleaning hard surfaces. It’s brilliant for sanitising hard surfaces too, but only if they are non-porous. Applying bleach cleaning fluids to wooden garden decking is likely to result in several problems.
Can bleach be used to clean decking?
Using bleach to clean the garden decking can alter the natural pH level of the wood. This will actually damage the cellular structure of your wood decking. Wood is a slightly acidic item with a near neutral pH level. Bleach has a basic pH level.
Can bleach kill mildew?
The benefits of cleaning your decking with bleach are that any mould and mildew will be killed. However, the mould spores will stay. This is where the mould and mildew stains will start
Is Oxiclean bleach good?
Although OxiClean has many advantages from being oxygen-based bleach, the greatest disadvantage of it is the price, which is pretty expensive for some people .
Can you bleach composite decking?
Unfortunately no, it is not a good idea to clean your composite decking with bleach. Whether it is an oxygen-based or chlorine-based one, Bleach should not be used in cleaning decking with bleach.
Can you clean a deck with bleach?
Let alone those uninvited elements like dust, leaves, pollen, etc. Well, cleaning your deck does not require you costly, harsh detergent ; even cleaning decking with bleach will do.
Can you bleach a deck?
So, that is some information about the how-to of cleaning decking with bleach. To sum it up, using bleach for cleaning your dirty deck is allowed, but keep in mind that not all deck materials can deal with the harsh chemical that your day-to-day bleach offers.
What to do after bleaching a deck?
After bleaching, apply a sealer or stain to protect your deck from UV damage, mold and mildew. Don't mix oxygen bleach or wood brightener with any other chemicals. Melissa Rae has been a writer since 2008, specializing in home-and-garden, business, technology and education topics.
How to make a wood brightener?
Mix 1/2 cup of oxygen bleach per gallon of hot water in a large bucket. Stir it with a spoon until it dissolves and pour it into a pump sprayer. Alternatively, you can use commercially available wood brightener. Pour it full-strength into the pump sprayer, or dilute it according to the instruction label. If you're using wood brightener on ...
Can you mix bleach with wood brightener?
Don't mix oxygen bleach or wood brightener with any other chemicals.
What is bleach on decks?
Bleach is a household product that works on both sealed and unsealed decks but also removes any colour or stain on the decking.
How long does it take for TSP to work on decking?
TSP removes dirt and grime quickly without the hassle of excessive. Apply the cleaner in sections. Let it stand for 20 minutes, and then rinse your decking with a water hose to remove the cleaner and debris. Note, TSP is a strong cleaner and you need to wear rubber gloves, safety goggles and a nose mask. TSP works on sealed and unsealed wood.
Does bleach remove stain from deck?
Bleach is a household product that works on both sealed and unsealed decks but also removes any colour or stain on the decking. Use caution when applying bleach to your decking and dilute the chemical with warm water to minimise its discolouration attribute. Bleach actually doesn't clean the wood but just lightens it. Use the chemical along with dish washing or washing powder to aid in breaking down debris and cleaning your decking.
Can you use dishwashing detergent on a deck?
Regular washing powder, as well as dish washing detergent, can wash your deck just as effectively as a commercial deck cleaner.
Can bleach be used on decking?
Oxygen cleaners contain a bleach component that can break up caked-on dirt and debris on your decking. The cleaners also remove dirt from wooden spindles and accessories on your decking. Follow any recommendations on the oxygen bleach cleaner's container, and mix the cleaner with warm water to activate it. When using oxygen cleaners, work in sections to keep the cleaner solution from drying out. Oxygen bleach cleaners work on unsealed wood decking and accessories. Use caution when using the cleaner on sealed decking; test in a hidden spot for discolouration.
