Our NeoTimber® springtime composite decking cleaning and care guide offers tips designed to offer a helping hand with prepping your deck for the warmer summer months.
As we dust ourselves off from a long winter – we begin to anticipate the warmer months and with that, we turn our attention to our deck areas. Over the colder, wetter months, outdoor floors are subject to a build-up of dirt, algae, and general garden mess. Let us present our NeoTimber® “how to clean composite decking” guide.
All in all – the winter can leave your deck area in need of some TLC “tender loving care” and we often find that this time of year, decking owners are in search of tips on how to clean their composite deck ready for summer.
Our composite decking cleaning guide here is designed to cover the essentials on how to clean composite decking, offering step-by-step guidelines for both a general and a more thorough deep clean…
How To Clean Composite Decking – Our General Spring Clean Guide
Most decks simply require a wash down after the winter months and the beauty of composite is that it won’t require much more than that (so leave the sandpaper, oils, and expensive treatments in the garage).
There aren’t any magic solutions or treatments that we’d recommend for treating your composite decking to a general clean and in fact, most just require household cleaning items that the majority of homes will have lying around. This, with a bit of elbow grease, will be sure to do the trick and get your composite deck clean and tidy ready for the summer months.
The guide below will give you the low-down on the tools and steps you’ll need to take to ensure that your composite deck returns to its former gleaming self…
Your Spring-Clean Tool Kit
Treating NeoTimber® composite decking boards is simple and, in most instances, can be done with a little help from some everyday household cleaning products. Before we kick off with our steps to getting your deck into shape, we have outlined a handy tool kit of items that can be used to tackle your post-winter deck area.
- A soft bristled brush (anything other may be abrasive to the surface of the deck)
- A hose pipe
- A regular sponge
- A bucket of warm water
- Domestic soap
NOTE: The material finish of composite decking means that it does not require painting, staining or oiling. We strongly advise that you ditch the treatments that are most commonly used with timber. The household cleaning products outlined in the tool kit above are harmless for your deck and work perfectly in most instances.
Step 1: Clear The Deck
First things first: clear your deck of furniture. Tidying the area before you kickstart your clean will save you time and give you the chance to reach all the nooks and crannies.
Also – be sure to take the time to sweep all debris and surface dirt off the deck before cleaning.
Step 2: Clean Your Composite Deck
Mix a bucket of warm water with household soap (washing-up liquid will do the trick). Apply this directly onto the deck and clean thoroughly with a soft bristled brush.
Brush the surface of the deck along the length of the grain of the board to ensure dirt and debris is being removed from the expansion gaps between the boards.
Step 3: Pay Attention To The Hard-To-Reach Spots
The edges of your deck, especially where trims are installed, can often collect dirt and debris.
Take extra care with these areas by applying warm soapy water to the surface of the deck and clean with a sponge.
Step 1: Clear The Deck
First things first: clear your deck of furniture. Tidying the area before you kickstart your clean will save you time and give you the chance to reach all the nooks and crannies. Also, be sure to take the time to sweep all debris and surface dirt off the deck before cleaning.
Step 2: Clean Your Composite Deck
Mix a bucket of warm water with household soap (washing-up liquid will do the trick). Apply this directly onto the deck and clean thoroughly with a soft bristled brush. Brush the surface of the deck along the length of the grain of the board to ensure dirt and debris is being removed from the expansion gaps between the boards.
Step 3: Pay Attention To The Hard-To-Reach Spots
The edges of your deck, especially where trims are installed, can often collect dirt and debris. Take extra care with these areas by applying warm soapy water to the surface of the deck and clean with a sponge.
How To Clean Composite Decking – Our Deep Clean Guide
Some decks get a worse time than others. Whether they are situated under trees, are used continuously throughout the winter months, or have to contend with high levels of footfall – dirt tends to stick around a little longer than usual in these areas.
If this sounds like your deck, or you are keen to simply treat your deck to a deeper clean, then follow the deep cleaning guide below…
Your Deep-Clean Tool Kit
While the tools outlined in the “spring-clean kit” will cover the majority of cleaning duties, our deep cleaning tool kit will give you the additional cleaning fire power your deck deserves.
- A jet wash with no greater than 3,100 PSI, using a fan attachment
- Owatrol Compo-Clean (a water-based composite decking cleaner)
Once the area has been cleared of all furniture and excess debris, you are ready to treat your deck to a compo-clean treatment. Firstly, apply a thick layer of Owatrol Compo-Clean to the surface of your composite deck.
Large areas should be cleaned in smaller sections. Once the entire surface of the deck has been treated with compo-clean, allow around 5 minutes for the cleaning product to do its things and soak.
Step 2: Remove The Thick Of It
Using a jet wash on the fan attachment, rinse your deck. Apply the nozzle of the jet wash no closer than 250mm from the surface of the deck boards – any closer and you risk damaging the surface of the decking. Clean along the length of the deck boards and pay extra attention to debris that is lodged between the board’s expansion gaps.
NOTE: It is vital that you use the fan attachment of the jet wash. Any alternative setting could result in you impacting the long-term finish and performance of your NeoTimber® deck.
Step 3: Pay Extra Attention To The Hard-To-Reach Spots
Like in the general cleaning tips, tackle these areas with some additional care. Either remove the surface dirt with a sponge or devote a little more attention to these areas with your jet wash.
Once the area has been cleared of all furniture and excess debris, you are ready to treat your deck to a compo-clean treatment. Firstly, apply a thick layer of Owatrol Compo-Clean to the surface of your deck.
Large areas should be cleaned in smaller sections. Once the entire surface of the deck has been treated with compo-clean, allow around 5 minutes for the cleaning product to do its things and soak.
Step 2: Remove The Thick Of It
Using a jet wash on the fan attachment, rinse your deck. Apply the nozzle of the jet wash no closer than 250mm from the surface of the deck boards – any closer and you risk damaging the surface of the decking. Clean along the length of the deck boards and pay extra attention to debris that is lodged between the board’s expansion gaps.
NOTE: It is vital that you use the fan attachment of the jet wash. Any alternative setting could result in you impacting the long-term finish and performance of your NeoTimber® deck.
Step 3: Pay Extra Attention To The Hard-To-Reach Spots
Like in the general cleaning tips, tackle these areas with some additional care. Either remove the surface dirt with a sponge or devote a little more attention to these areas with your jet wash.
Need Further Support or Advice?
If you’ve still got questions that have not been answered here, or you would like additional advice,
support or assistance then please give one of our friendly experts a call and we’ll be happy to help.
Just give us a call on 01509 323 170.