How To Clean A Deck with Wet and Forget
When you consider that a deck is merely an outdoor floor, it’s no wonder that these fabulous outdoor additions quickly collect green and black stains.
Fortunately, with a bit of know-how and some essential tools, deck maintenance can be a breeze — literally. So, if you’re wondering how to clean your deck and keep it clean, you’re in the right place.
Why Does Your Deck Have Green and Black Stains?
Your deck doesn’t have an easy life. Sun, rain, snow, wind, and even dirty shoes prey upon a deck’s surface.
Because they sit outside, decks also have to contend with various critters and organic growths, which are more than happy to encroach on your space. While you may be okay with a passing bug or two, things like lichen are more likely to cause permanent damage.
Like a roommate’s boyfriend who seems to have moved in without your permission, Lichen is an invasive organism. It’s created through a communal living agreement between fungi and algae.
Because the organism thrives on sunlight and moisture, lichen is commonly found on decks and patio furniture. Not only is lichen unsightly, but if left untouched, it could also create unsafe slippery spots on your deck’s surface.
Beyond lichen, the familiar duo of mold and mildew may also affect some decks, such as those made from composite materials.
How Often Should You Clean Your Deck?
Your deck needs some level of routine maintenance throughout the year. In many cases, though, all you need is to sweep it whenever you notice an abundance of leaves or other debris.
You should consider a once-a-year schedule for a proper deep clean. If your deck is especially vulnerable to lichen, mold, or milder, it’s also best to nip the growth of these organisms in the bud as soon as you spot them.
How to Clean Your Deck
An ideal deck cleaning process will get rid of stains without any scrubbing or rinsing. That’s where Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End steps in.
You can use Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End on practically any outdoor surface due to its non-acidic, bleach-free formula. Additionally, the sprayer’s fan tip allows you to treat your entire driveway in a few minutes.
Before starting, make sure to check the weather forecast for the day. Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End works best when applied on days without precipitation and moderate temperatures.
With all this in mind, let’s take a look at how to clean your deck with Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End:
- Screw your hose into the end of the sprayer.
- Attach the fan tip.
- Turn the black dial on the bottle counterclockwise to the On position.
- Thoroughly spray your deck’s surface.
That’s it! There’s no need to rinse, scrub or power-wash your deck afterward, as the spray will work with the wind and rain to gently clean your deck over time. In fact, one application is often all you need to keep your deck stain-free for an entire year.
Be sure to rinse nearby plants with water both before and after applying the product to protect them from potential overspray. If the product accidentally drifts onto nearby plants, thoroughly rinse the area with fresh water.
What About Lichen?
While the above steps will easily handle most of the stains your deck encounters, ridding your deck of lichen requires a more direct approach.
If you’re dealing with a deck covered with lichen, Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End will work to get rid of this invasive organism over time.
To treat lichen, follow these steps:
- Spray any lichen growth until it is thoroughly saturated with the spray.
- Wait 15 minutes.
- Thoroughly respray the area.
The first spray helps open up the outer layer of the lichen, while the second spray strikes the growth at its core.
Other Tips and Tricks
The Wet & Forget Outdoor products clean gently and over time. That means it may require some patience for particularly stubborn stains to dissipate.
Most green stains will only need a few weeks to be eliminated. Black stains may need a few months. In some rare cases, it can take up to a year to clear your deck of long-establish stains.
If the stains on your deck are particularly stubborn, consider a second application a month or two after the first.
Wet & Forget Outdoor products are bleach-free, making them safe to use on virtually any outdoor surface.
Bleach, however, has a pH level of 13, which is very alkaline. When you use bleach on wood, you can prematurely age and affect your deck’s structural integrity.
Wet & Forget has a pH level of 8. As it’s more neutral, it won’t cause damage to your deck’s surface or the wood fibers comprising your deck.
If you’re looking to reapply stain or paint to your deck, simply wait until Wet & Forget has had enough time to remove all the stains.
Where Can You Find Wet & Forget Outdoor Products?
You can find Wet & Forget products online or at your local retailer.
