Having decks in your own is considered a very good addition as it offers homeowners the luxury of enjoying outdoors and nature in general, but the fact that decks are designed for outdoor use makes them vulnerable to algae and dirt attacks. One of the misleading thoughts people have is it is wrong to clean decks with bleach, but results have showed bleach works good when used on decks. How to clean deck with bleach is what this post wants to show you.
Powdered oxygen bleach is a very good agent to use when cleaning up dirt and algae from decks, and they are perfect for scrubbing decks without causing any form of damage to the deck. However, the first step you must take before going ahead to clean deck is taking away any furniture on the deck, and this could be flowers, tables, seats, planters, among others. After removing any item or furniture on the deck, the next step to take is sweeping the deck.
You can make use of a broom or brush in sweeping decks before cleaning with bleach, and it will be easy to get rid of algae and dirt if you sweep the deck before it gets wets. The best way to sweep decks is by sweeping in large motions all over the deck to ensure that all forms of debris and dirt are eliminated. There is an option of making use of a vacuum blower when sweeping decks, and the purpose of using a vacuum blower is to clean up crevices thoroughly.
Next is spraying the deck with water to help loosen up some dirt that have stayed stuck on the dirt, making it hard for homeowners to get rid of them. the combination of a hose and garden spray all across the deck is going to get rid of dirt left on the deck, and make sure that the pressure you are using in cleaning the deck isn’t too low or too high. It is also crucial that the nozzle of the sprayer is well adjusted so water flows in fans and not streams.
It is okay for you to make use of your thumb in covering the opening on the hose a bit to make sure water doesn’t flow out too much, but this should be done if the tool that is being used doesn’t come with an adjustable nozzle. Using too much pressure when spraying decks can lead to discoloration on the deck’s surface, We have identified the first steps you need to follow when wanting to clean decks with bleach.
There are other steps that you need to follow to ensure that adequate results are achieved, and these steps is exactly what this post wants to talk you about in its next lines. We encourage you to keep reading this post so you can know how to go about the entire process.
How To Clean Deck With Bleach
Getting Rid Of Algae And Dirt
There are crucial steps that must be followed if you want to get rid of algae, debris, and dirt from your decks, and these steps are what we want to talk to you about right away.
1. Pour powdered bleach into a bucket and add water to it, and make use of a brush or sponge to mix the solution. This mixture is what you will use to get rid of debris, algae, and dirt from your decks, but there are very vital safety measures that must be taken when mixing these two ingredients. They are;
- Making use of rain pants, boots, and waterproof gloves when mixing the bleach and water to protect the hands and other parts of the body
- Ensure that the solution is mixed in a well ventilated area
2. Make use of a synthetic brush in scrubbing the deck you want to work on, and you can also make use of a synthetic brush when scrubbing down decks. The purpose for this scrubbing is for the liberation of the already saturated deck surface, and ensure that you scrub till the solution starts to lather on the deck. Take note of the following when carrying out this step;
- You can purchase synthetic sponge and brush from hardware stores
- The bleach will make the deck slippery so be careful when walking on the deck
3. After apply the bleach on the deck and scrubbing, allow it to remain on the deck for as long as five minutes. The reason for this is for the bleach to penetrate and absorb any dirt, algae, or debris on the deck, but make sure the solution doesn’t dry off thoroughly on the deck. If you allow it dry off on the deck surface then it might leave a film behind on the deck.
4. This brings us to the next step which is rinsing of the deck surface. After allowing the solution to sit on the deck for about five minutes, make sure you rinse thoroughly with water, and you can make use of buckets of water if you do not have a hose to work with. Ensure that all traces of bleach is rinsed away before allowing the deck to dry off.
How To Treat Mildew And Stains
In this section of this post, we will be talking about steps to take on treating mildew and stains on decks, so check out these steps below.
Use Oxygen Paste In Cleaning Decks
For people that do not want to carry a full cleaning on the deck but there are large amounts of algae and dirt on your deck then you can make use of bleach in making concentrated paste. All you have to do is add water to powdered bleach and mix with a spoon till a thick paste is formed, and make sure you apply the paste to areas of the deck that is dirty. After applying, it should be allowed to remain for about fifteen minutes before rinsing it off.
Add Borax To The Cleaning Mixture To Get Rid Of Mildew
Mix water, bleach, and borax in a bucket, but make sure you wear protective hand gloves when mixing these ingredients, and make sure areas with mildew are targeted. Borax is found in home detergents, and they do not have any negative effect on nearby plants.
Avoid Using Chlorine Bleach And Power Washers To Wash Deck
Making use of power washers on decks is not advisable as it can cause damage to wood, but make use of a light pressure spray or adjustable nozzle in washing decks. You should also avoid using chlorine bleach as it can cause discoloration, affect plant life, and cut down on wood integrity.