How to Remove Different Types of Stains and Grimy Buildup from a Deck?

Homeowners usually organize various outdoor activities on the decks during the warmer months. A season full of outdoor cooking, dining, and entertaining can easily dirty the deck from food or drink spills, grill grease, soot, and more. Moreover, these spaces are exposed to natural elements and, thus, can also be stained due to leaves, tree sap, and other grime. Homeowners must know the correct cleaning method and supplies to remove a tough deck stain. This article specifies the instructions to remove stains from the decks.

• Green Algae or Moss

Algae and moss grow on a damp surface, creating a slippery deck surface. Moreover, it could rot the wood or cause other permanent damage. This specific deck stain is difficult to remove and usually reappears on formations of the roots in the wood. So, homeowners must treat it immediately using an oxygen bleach, dish detergent, borax, water, and a scrub brush.

Follow these steps to remove green algae or moss:

1. Mix one cup oxygen bleach, 2 tablespoons dish detergent, and ½ cup borax in 1-gallon water.
2. Dip the brush in the solution and scrub the stained area.
3. After waiting for 15 minutes, rinse the area with a hose.

• Barbecue Stains (Grease and Sauce)

Homeowners can use a household dish detergent to remove the grease spots and saucy spills from the last backyard barbecue. One needs a grease-cutting dish soap, hot water, a stiff-bristled brush, a damp sponge or mop, and a garden hose.

Follow these steps to remove barbecue stains:

1. Mix the grease-cutting dish detergent with hot water and scrub the area.
2. Take a dampened sponge to mop the deck and remove loosened grease.
3. Rinse the area with a hose.

• Leaf Stains

Leaves accumulated on the decks start to decompose and leave behind dark stains or silhouettes. It can be avoided by clearing away the leaves from the deck regularly. An individual needs a dish detergent and warm water to remove dark marks of decomposed leaves.

Follow these steps to remove leaf stains:

1. Mix dish detergent and warm water and scrub the area using this solution.
2. Let the area sock cleaning solution for 15 minutes.
3. Scrub the surface again, and finally, rinse it using a hose.

• Mildew or Mold

Mildew or mold is another common deck stain and usually occurs in a shady or damp area. Homeowners can avoid it by regularly cleaning the deck. To remove mildew or mold, a person needs a commercial deck cleaner, water, a stiff brush, a garden sprayer, and a hose.

Follow these steps to remove mildew or mold:

1. Clean the surface using a commercial deck cleaner. If it’s available in powder form, mix a recommended quantity in water and apply using a garden sprayer.
2. Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
3. Brush briskly using a stiff brush and rinse with a hose.

Conclusion

Removing tough stains and grime buildup from the decks can be difficult. The mentioned cleaning methods and supplies enable homeowners to deal with different stains. However, no DIY cleaning method can match the professional stain removal process. Therefore, consider hiring a professional deck cleaning service to remove tough stains.