From unsightly leaf stains to ugly bird droppings, even the most stylish timber deck can quickly lose its sheen if it’s not regularly cleaned. Here’s what you can do to keep your timber decking looking pristine.
Image courtesy of prestige floor sanding & polishing
1. Protect it from the elements
Cut down your cleaning time by protecting your deck from the elements. Installing shutters or screeningaround your deck will drastically reduce the amount of leaf litter, bird droppings and general dirt that will invade your deck. Simply sweep or vacuum your covered or enclosed deck from time to time to keep it looking its best.
2. Sweep it regularly
Taking a few minutes to sweep your deck regularly will ensure leaf litter doesn’t build up. When leaves are left on your deck, they’ll start to decompose and stain the timber. To remove stubborn leaf stains, you may need to sand and refinish your deck, which is much more time consuming than a regular sweep.
3. Scrub it down
Use a bristled brush and some soapy water to scrub away dirt and grime that has built up over time. Standard household detergents will do the job, or you can buy specialised cleaning products for timber decks from your local hardware store.
4. Rinse and repeat
If you do use any detergent or other cleaning products on your deck, it’s important to thoroughly hose away any soapy residue that will stain the timber if left in place.
5. Power up
Stubborn stains caused by bird droppings or food spills might require a more high-tech approach. Pressure cleaners use pressurised water jets to blast away most stains and dirt build up. They can be purchased or hired from your local hardware store.
6. Seal the deal
Once your timber deck is clean and completely dry, you may consider applying a sealer to protect it from further damage from the elements. Many different sealers are available from your local hardware store depending on the type of timber and finish you prefer.
7. Oil for toil
If you prefer not to use a sealer, oiling your deck after cleaning is another great way to preserve the timber. Once the deck is completely dry, simply use a decking brush with pole extension to ‘paint’ or roll the oil onto the timber. Use long strokes to coat the timber evenly and allow it to dry before applying the second coat.
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