Cleaning the deck will be much easier if the appropriate method is chosen from the start. Then, you will have to choose a product, taking into account that today there is a wide variety of cleaners to cover different needs.

Scarborough divides them into:

• General Cleaner: Use if you need to remove dirt, mold, or the remains of an old waterproofer.
• Special treatments indicated for certain types of wood (redwood, cedar), which darken if you clean them with common products.

Paint remover, for solid residues.

Once you have chosen the product, you can apply it manually, with a sprayer or with a pressure washer. The latter usually shows surprising results, in addition to reducing the time and effort of washing, but be careful with high pressures, because they can ruin the wood.

Pressure wash

Specialists at Campbell Hausfeld, producer of pressure washers, recommend a pressure between 1500 and 2000 PSI (pound per inch squared) and 4 steps for successful cleaning.

Remove all the elements that are on the deck and cover the plants (also nearby trees and shrubs) with plastic, to protect them from the action of chemicals. Carefully wash the deck with a detergent, spraying it or using a cloth. Apply the specific product (better with a pressure washer). Let it act for 3 to 5 minutes. With the washing machine and with the appropriate pressure, it performs a deep cleaning, until all the dirt is removed and the detergent is removed.