Summer is the perfect time to make use of your outdoor spaces, which means you’ll need to know how to clean your composite decking. After all, you’ll want your deck to be lovely, fresh and clean for hosting BBQ’s and soaking up the Summer sun! We asked our expert cleaners for the best tips for cleaning and maintaining composite decking, and they broke it down into easy DIY steps.
So if you’re not quite sure how to clean a composite decking, here’s the inside scoop.
Must-Do Summer Cleaning Tasks: What You Shouldn’t Miss
Summer is a great time to tackle cleaning tasks that need to be done while the weather is hot and dry, or are specifically relevant to your summer plans
Here are some must-do summer cleaning tasks:
- The interior and exterior windows, along with drapes, curtains, and blinds *. This will let more sunlight in and brighten the house up.
- Trim bushes, mow the lawn, weed the garden, and take care of any outdoor maintenance tasks.
- Clean and replace air conditioning filters and make sure the units are well maintained.
- If you have a grill, clean and scrub the grates, grease tray, and burners.
- Clean and refresh your outdoor furniture, including cushions and pillows.
- Deep clean your pool and make sure you’re regularly cleaning and skimming the water to remove leaves, insects, and debris. Check and balance the pool chemicals as needed.
- Pressure wash and make any repairs needed to your driveway and garage.
- And of course, deep clean your deck and make sure it’s fit for use all Summer long!
* Learning how to clean blinds and windows can be quite challenging and time-consuming. Take the time to dust each slat, using a vacuum attachment or a damp cloth. Make sure you clean both sides of the blinds to ensure they look perfect all season long!
Clean and Green: How to Effectively Clean Your Composite Decking
To keep your deck clean, you’ll need to make sure you’re using the right cleaning products and methods.
So, if you have a composite deck, you’ll need the best cleaning solutions for composite decking.
To keep your composite decking clean, you’ll need:
- A stiff broom or brush
- Garden hose with a nozzle
- A cleaning solution (your local hardware store should have options for composite decking)
- Soft-bristle brush or mop
- Bucket
- Rubber gloves (if you’re using a cleaning solution)
- Microfiber cloths or rags
Here’s exactly how to clean composite decking:
- Clear visible debris by sweeping or using a brush to remove dirt, leaves, and other junk from the surface of your deck.
- Use a hose to thoroughly rinse your deck – this can blast off extra hidden dirt and grime.
- Get your cleaning solution ready, as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Sometimes this can mean diluting it with water, or measuring certain ratios.
- Using a soft bristled brush, gently scrub the surface of your deck taking care to apply an even coverage.
- If you have grease stains or mildew, pay extra attention to that area without scrubbing too hard. Be especially mindful of mould that can gather in crevices.
- Rinse thoroughly with more water from the hose, and use microfibre cloths and rags to get rid of excess water on the surface. This will ensure it dries as evenly as
Maximizing Your Outdoor Space: Maintaining Composite Decking in Summer
To make sure your patio is Summer-ready, here are some composite decking maintenance tips to follow all year long.
Sweep away leaves, dirt, and twigs which can trap moisture and cause mould or mildew to build up.
Make sure you’re also promptly cleaning up spills as they occur to avoid stains. Barbecues and grills are also notorious for dripping oil and grease onto your decking, so it might be a good idea to use a protective mat or pad underneath.
And while you’re at it, maybe use proactive mats under all outdoor furniture to avoid them damaging or scratching the surface of your deck.
If your deck has any hardware like nails or screws, it’s good to check them regularly to ensure they’re not coming loose. This can prevent bigger issues like cracks and breaks in the wood later on.
And now that you know how to clean composite decking, make sure you’re conducting regular cleaning and maintenance to keep your deck in great condition.
If you want a professional deep clean of your composite decking, you can always outsource to one of Wecasas expert cleaners. We can connect you with local professional cleaners who will get your deck right and ready for enjoying the sun all Summer long!
