The 6 Best Cleaners for Your Outdoor Deck
- by Kristina Perrin
- Last Updated: March 1, 2024
Your deck is starting to look a little worse for wear. The good news is that it’s not too late to clean it and restore its former glory. Decks are a popular spot for homeowners because they offer great entertaining space, as well as a relaxing oasis. However, decks can quickly become dirty and stained if not cleaned regularly.
While pressure washing the deck can improve the condition of your deck, decks need cleaning with special formulas that penetrate through the surface and lift and remove a build-up of dirt and staining. By using a deck cleaner to clean your deck, you can leave it sparkling clean. Make sure you choose a deck cleaner suited to your deck’s material.
Here are the best cleaners for your outdoor deck that we’ve tried out and tested!
Our Top Cleaners for Your Outdoor Deck Picks
- 1. Best Overall - Star Brite Non Skid Deck Cleaner
- 2. Best For Vinyl - Mold Armor Cleaner
- 3. Best for Pressure Washer - Karcher Multipurpose Pressure Detergent Soap
- 4. Best Eco-Friendly - Simple Green Oxy Solve
- 5. Best All-in-One - DEFY Wood Brightener
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Best Deck Cleaners
1. Star Brite Non Skid Deck Cleaner
This is the best deck cleaner for all surfaces that we tried out, including vinyl, plastic, and fiberglass. It’s also suited to rubber, metal, and even painted surfaces. This deck cleaner contains non-caustic chelating detergents but still helps to eliminate spills and dirt without scrubbing.
While it’s manufactured as a deck-cleaning product for boats, the gentle formulation makes it an excellent choice for residential decks. Apply the pre-mixed liquid to a wet deck with a pump sprayer.
The Star Brite Non Skid Deck Cleaner is is a specialized cleaner designed specifically for non-skid surfaces on boats, while Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner is a versatile outdoor cleaner that can be used on a variety of surfaces.
2. Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly deck cleaner, this is the product you want. As per our evaluation, it’s made of plant and mineral-derived ingredients, so it will safely clean your outdoor deck without causing damage to it or the environment.
This simple green product can be applied manually or via a pressure washer. For the best results, mop or spray on the solution, let it sit for 7 minutes to effectively dissolve grime and dirt, and rinse with plain water. Spray nearby plants and lawns to wash away any residual solution for extra safety.
How does this compare to another one of our top picks? The Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner is also effective against mold and mildew, similar to Mold Armor Cleaner, which is a specialized cleaner for removing and preventing mold growth.
3. Mold Armor Cleaner
Consider mold armor cleaner from Luxury Vinyl to clean vinyl or PVC decking. This unique mold and mildew remover we tested is one of the best exterior cleaners for vinyl, wood, tile, and stone surfaces.
It leaves no dulling residue behind but rather eliminates mold spots on your deck with a natural formula that will not damage or fade your outdoor decks.
Compared to the Karcher Multipurpose Pressure Detergent Soap, the Mold Armor Cleaner is specifically formulated to clean and remove stains and discoloration caused by mold, mildew, and algae from decks and patios. On the other hand, Karcher Multipurpose Pressure Detergent Soap is a versatile cleaning solution that can be used for a variety of outdoor surfaces, including cars, boats, and patio furniture.
4. Karcher Multipurpose Pressure Detergent Soap
If you’re planning to use a pressure washer to power away dirt, stuck-on debris, and stains, consider this multipurpose dish soap from Karcher specially designed to remove mold, mildew, algae, and moss. It’s strictly specially made for outdoor use with added mold inhibitors. This exterior cleaner can also be used for other exterior cleanings jobs such as your driveway or even your siding because it will boost the life of the latter.
It contains sodium tripolyphosphate, a powerful agent that penetrates wood grain for a deep and thorough clean. During the application process, wear protective clothing and keep pets and children away from the area. Also, avoid getting the solution on the plants and rinse any nearby foliage with plain water after cleaning the deck.
Both the Karcher Multipurpose Pressure Detergent Soap we tested and the DEFY Wood Brightener are specialized cleaning agents, but with different applications. Karcher Multipurpose Pressure Detergent Soap is designed for use with pressure washers, while DEFY Wood Brightener is specifically formulated for use on wood surfaces to brighten and restore the natural color of the wood.
5. DEFY Wood Brightener
If you’re looking to both clean and brighten a weathered wood deck before applying a fresh new coat of deck stain, DEFY’S wood brightener is the best option. DEFY’S wood brightener removes dirt, rust stains, and the dark tannin stains left behind by decaying leaves. This tested option suitable for use in all types of wood.
It brightens old weathered wood and opens the wood grain, so the deck stains penetrate the wood more evenly, making it suitable for prepping a deck before staining. Apply with a pump-type garden sprayer and thoroughly rinse the deck with plain water after application.
The DEFY Wood Brightener is also effective in removing stains and tannin bleed, while Star Brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner is a specialized cleaner for non-skid surfaces on boats.
6. Oil Eater Original Cleaner or Degreaser
Oil Eater Original Cleaner or Degreaser is a commercial-strength product that can remove stubborn stains and grease on the outdoor deck. The oil remover penetrates surfaces and dissolves built-up stains like grease and oil.
Apply Oil Eater to the dirty spot and scrub it with a deck brush after allowing it some time to penetrate the surface.
Importance of Keeping Your Deck Clean
Nobody wants to unwind and relax on a dirty deck. If you don’t clean your deck regularly, permanent stains can develop, and you’ll end up with cracked wood and even mildew and mold. As your outdoors is exposed to various weather conditions such as sunlight and rain, it’s important that you clean your deck regularly to avoid the formation of mold, mildew, and fungus. Even if you’re, building a floating deck you should make cleaning part of the construction process even before you start using it.
Tips for Cleaning Your Deck
As you learn about the best cleaners for your outdoor deck, here are some tips and tricks no matter which product you use.
Regularly Wash and Clean Your Deck
It’s important to clean your deck at least once a year to have proper upkeep of your outdoor space. If you let dirt and leaves sit on your deck for an extended time, it could result in discoloration, mold, and rotting. Start by sweeping any visible debris and dirt away from your deck.
After that, go ahead and use a good deck cleaner to scrub your deck’s surface. For more thorough cleans, consider using oxygen bleach on your deck.
Different Decks Need Different Cleaners
Deck cleaners are great for your deck as they’ll not only remove stains, mold, mildew, and tough grease but they’re also formulated for certain materials. Here are some of the different deck cleaners that you can use for your deck type:
Wooden Decks
Consider using an all-purpose wood deck cleaner if you have a dirty wooden deck. You can use this for cedar, tweak, and redwood. You can apply these cleaners with either a sprayer or a decker brush, spread it evenly, and rinse it with a garden hose.
Dull Wooden Decks
Do you have a dull wooden deck? Well, get yourself a cleaner that has brightening or restorative qualities. These cleaners usually come with oxygenated components that will help with lightening your wood’s surface and getting rid of stains.
Decks with Mold
If your deck has mold or mildew, get rid of them using a cleaner that contains mildewcide. Unlike other deck cleaners, you shouldn’t rinse these off. Leave the solution on the wood and allow ample time to soak and kill the fungi.
Composite Wood Deck Cleaner
Composite decking is manufactured from wood by-products and plastic and comes with an impermeable surface designed to resist rotting and decay. Wood deck cleaners may be too harsh for composite decks, especially if they contain brightening ingredients that strip the sheen and leave a dull, unattractive look.
To apply composite deck cleaners, spray or brush it with a soft deck brush before rinsing it with a garden hose.
Painted Decks
Have a painted deck? Go for an all-purpose cleaner that’s gentle and doesn’t have ammonia. Do not use a harsh cleaner as this can damage the painted surface of your deck. You can either spray or squirt it on with these cleaners before mopping lightly to clean away any dirt and grime.
Pre-Mix or Concentrated Deck Cleaners
You should also consider whether or not to go for a pre-mixed or concentrated deck cleaner. Pre-mixed deck cleaners are the simplest to use as you pour them into a pump sprayer and a bucket and then spray on or apply them with a deck brush. Concentrated deck cleaners come in powdered granule and liquid form and must be diluted with water before application.
You can use an undiluted concentrated liquid deck cleaner in the attached dispenser of the pressure washer or in a hose-end sprayer, both of which dilute the solution during application.
Application
A pressure washer is often the most popular option for cleaning outdoor decks because it can do in minutes which would take hours to do manually. It’s followed by scrubbing the decking with a stiff brush to remove stuck-on debris. Another method is to dilute concentrated deck cleaner in a large bucket of water and then apply it to the deck with a scrub brush.
Safety
Just like you follow strict building code guidelines for building decks, you should also ensure safety in maintenance and cleaning. Some deck cleaners contain ingredients that may negatively affect nearby plants and lawns. The best way to reduce damage is to rinse off plants or grassy areas after cleaning the deck. Using a pressure washer comes with additional safety as the intense pressure of the water leaving the nozzle can be strong enough to cut the skin on the bare feet and legs and even remove chunks of soft deck wood.
Coverage
Applying a deck cleaner using a pressure washer is more effective in powering away stains than a hose-end dispenser because the water pressure is much higher in a pressure washer. Pre-wetting the deck with a garden hose can soften some dirt and debris so that the deck cleaning solution will treat a more extensive area.
How to Choose from The Best Cleaners for Your Outdoor Deck
When you’re going through our list of the best cleaners for your outdoor deck we evaluated, keep these factors in mind:
Type of Deck
Several deck materials call for various cleaning procedures. For instance, a different cleaning is needed for composite decks than for wood decks.
Type of Stain
The kind of cleaning you require depends depend on the kind of stain or debris on your deck. Certain cleaning products are made to remove particular stains like mold, mildew, or algae.
Safety
Take into account how safe the cleaner is for you, your loved ones, and your pets. Search for non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products that won’t damage your garden, grass, or deck.
Effectiveness
Choose a cleaner that can effectively clean the surface of your deck of dirt, stains, and grime.
Ease of Use
Choose a cleaner that is simple to apply and employ. Others can be applied directly to the surface, while certain cleaners need to be mixed with water.
Cost
Evaluate cleaners’ pricing to find one that delivers the best value. Take into account the size of your deck and the amount of cleaner you will require to clean the entire space.
| Best Cleaners for Your Outdoor Deck | Type of Deck | Type of Stain | Safety | Effectiveness | Ease of Use | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Brite Non Skid Deck | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Simple Green Oxy Solve | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Mold Armor Cleaner | 3/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Karcher Multipurpose Detergent | 2/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| DEFY Wood Brightener | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Oil Eater Cleaner/Degreaser | 2/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
FAQs on the Best Cleaners for Your Outdoor Deck
Should you pressure wash a deck before staining?
Yes, pressure washing helps remove old dirt and grime when prepping the deck for staining.
Is it better to sand or power wash a deck?
Both methods are valuable. Sand a deck to smooth out roughness before staining or sealing or power wash a deck to remove dirt, grime, and mold. Read more on pole sander for deck for refinishing.
Final Thought on the Best Cleaners for Your Outdoor Deck
Deck cleaners quickly remove dirt and stains, and depending on the product, they can also brighten wood, making it look new again. The best cleaners for your outdoor deck also act as long-term preventives for algae growth and even eliminate some weathered graying from the surface.
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Kristina Perrin
Kristina is an expert DIY home remodeler and mom to three. When she's not cooking or experimenting with new recipes, you can find her working on new home improvement projects or writing about her favorite kitchen appliances or DIY projects on Kitchen Infinity blog.
