Cleaning the deck will allow you to enjoy your outdoor space. To start you want to clear everything off the deck. Move your patio furniture, BBQ, and other decor. This way you can easily clean the wood. Next you want to sweep the deck. Get all of the pine cones, grass, and dirt out of your way. If you have trash on the deck bring a garbage bag out for this task.

Deck cleaners can be toxic. Be cautious to protect yourself and your plants! Put a plastic sheet over planters on your deck so they are not harmed. Cover any furniture that you are unable to move, and ensure you wear long sleeves and rubber gloves. You want to avoid direct contact with the cleaner and your skin.

Most people choose to use a commercial deck cleaner which is sold at most hardware stores. Examine the ingredients to determine whether or not the cleaner is appropriate for the type of wood your deck is made of. Choose an environmentally friendly cleaner which is safer for you, your family, pets, and yard.

Once you have chosen the appropriate cleaner you can use a power washer or complete the task by hand. The power washer will be less time consuming, but if you’re looking to save money you can scrub away by hand. For the power washer you will simply add the solution to the tank. If scrubbing manually you will need to add the solution to a broom or garden sprayer. Once you have covered the deck in solution it’s time to scrub! Go in lines so you can see where you’ve done and where you haven’t to ensure you don’t overlook any spots.

When finished rinse your deck and let it dry! Once the deck is dry you can move your furniture, decor, and BBQ back in place and enjoy!