Can you use bleach on decking?

Can you use bleach on decking?

Yes, you can bleach your wood deck—with a few important caveats. You may have noticed your deck looks grimier than usual after a summer of muddy paws and footprints, and you’re looking into bleaching your wood deck. However, when you throw chlorine bleach on wood, you run the risk of ruining the wood.

What can I use instead of deck cleaner?

For another inexpensive alternative to expensive deck cleaning products, you can try mixing equal parts warm water with white vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar will kill off bacteria and funguses that have developed while baking soda deodorizes and refreshes.

Can you use bleach to power wash a deck?

Don’t use power washers or chlorine bleach to wash your deck. Power washers can sometimes be too powerful and could damage the wood forever.

Will bleach damage wood deck?

Chlorine bleach removes natural wood color, destroys wood lignin (the glue that holds wood fibers together), can corrode metal deck fasteners and hardware and can kill vegetation.

What is the best cleaner for wood decks?

• BEST OVERALL: STAR BRITE Non-Skid Deck Cleaner & Protectant.
• ECO PICK: Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner.
• BEST FOR MOLD AND MILDEW: Wet & Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain Remover.
• BEST FOR OIL AND GREASE: Oil Eater Original Cleaner/Degreaser.
• BEST ALGAE CONTROL: CITRA-SHIELD EXTERIOR ALGAE CONTROL SYSTEMS.

What household items can I use to clean my deck?

Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water. Simply mix 1 gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of ammonia-free dish soap (such as Murphy’s), 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and 1 quart of oxygen bleach. Be very careful so that you use only ammonia free dish soap.

Will vinegar hurt wood deck?

You can use white distilled vinegar and water to create an all natural cleaning solution for the deck. Vinegar is a good option as it will remove mildew, mold, and dirt on the wood. Combine 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon water. Make sure the deck cleaner does not contain bleach, as this can damage the wood.

Does vinegar clean a deck?

To clean your deck, combine 1 cup vinegar with 1-gallon water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed wood and use the vinegar and warm water to scrub over all the boards. Borate is also a natural cleaner and versatile for indoor or outdoor cleaning.