How To Clean A Composite Deck (Without Wasting Water)
Composite decks have become increasingly popular in recent years. While there are many benefits to using composite materials, it leaves consumers with a surprisingly difficult question to answer: how do you clean stains on a composite deck?
With Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End you can remove stains caused by mold, mildew, moss, algae, and other organic growths, and you can do so efficiently and effectively — even on composite decks. It’s the premiere composite deck cleaner.
So don’t be taken in by pressure washer peer pressure or hardline bleach believers. Instead, use a product that’s safe on virtually any outdoor surface, including composite decks.
What Are Composite Decks Made Of?
Composite decks are made of a combination of materials. Almost all contain wood scraps, often referred to as wood flour, and inorganic ingredients, such as plastic particles.
Before installation, many manufacturers treat composite deck boards with preservatives or sealants. This helps prevent moisture from penetrating the surface of each deck board, allowing many manufacturers to label their composite decks as “mold resistant.”
Each board is also dyed with wood grain-like patterns etched into their surfaces. Depending on the quality of the composite material, a layperson would likely have a hard time distinguishing hardwood decks from ones made from composites.
Most people consider composite decks low-maintenance because they use a mixture of organic and inorganic materials. They don’t need to be retreated, restrained, or sanded.
While composite decks are usually more expensive to install, they make up for this upfront cost with easy maintenance and extended longevity. In the long run, you may find that you spend less money on a composite deck during its longer lifespan than you would with a less durable and harder-to-maintain hardwood deck.
That said, there are some negatives to composite decks, too. For example, they can attract stains, and while they are often marketed as mold-resistant, they don’t eliminate the threat of organic growth altogether.
Why Do Composite Decks Still Attract Mold?
So, if manufacturers market composite decks as mold-resistant, why do they still attract mold?
Composite decks still contain organic materials, like wood. When moisture combines with wood particles, they still have the tendency to grow mold or begin to rot.
Some composite deck manufacturers have attempted to resolve this problem by “capping” the deck boards. However, they often only cap three sides of the board, leaving at least one exposed side susceptible to spores.
Composite wood can receive scratches just as often as hardwood board. Unfortunately, because composite decks can’t be sanded, each scratch leaves long-lasting entryways for mold, mildew, algae, and moss to burrow beneath the surface.
When mold, mildew, or algae stains become apparent on your composite deck, it can be even harder to clean than typical hardwood decks. Ironically, the same materials that attempt to keep mold out can make it harder to eliminate mold stains once they bypass sealed barriers.
At that point, you need a composite deck cleaner capable of attacking the hiding spots of mold growth without harming the many materials that make up composite wood. You may be tempted to reach for a pressure washer in this scenario, but you’ll quickly find it won’t help your problem and may further harm your deck.
Why Should You Use Wet & Forget Instead of a Pressure Washer to Clean a Composite Deck?
There are two specific reasons you shouldn’t use a pressure washer to clean your composite deck:
- It wastes water.
- It can damage your deck and its surroundings.
Let’s tackle the first reason first. We’ve written about this before, but to clean stains on a 500-square-foot composite deck with a pressure washer, you’ll likely use well over 100 gallons of water.
Depending on which Wet & Forget Outdoor product you use, you may only need a couple of gallons of water to clean that same composite deck. That means you’ll use 100 fewer gallons of water to clean your deck than with a pressure washer.
Additionally, you may only need to use Wet & Forget Outdoor once a year to keep your composite deck free of moss, mildew, and other stains caused by organic growth. Using a pressure washer to clean your deck will likely take at least a couple of applications throughout the year.
So, whether you care about water waste due to an ecological mindset or a wish to not see your water bill rise too high, you should avoid using a pressure washer to clean your composite wood.
Even if water waste isn’t a concern, pressure washers remain problematic.
There are a wide range of outdoor surfaces pressure washers can damage if you’re not careful. That list includes stained wood, painted surfaces, outdoor light fixtures, windows, and wood siding.
Your composite deck probably contains or sits near those outdoor surfaces. A simple slip of the hand or foot could be enough to break a window, strip paint or stain from wood, or destroy a lightbulb.
The ideal composite deck cleaner should avoid those issues by being safe on virtually any outdoor surface. It should also use less water and be more effective.
So, let’s talk about Wet & Forget.
Wet & Forget: A Composite Deck Cleaner That Won’t Waste Water
While there are a variety of Wet & Forget Outdoor products available for your use, for the cleaning of large surfaces, such as composite decks, we recommend Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End.
There are a couple of reasons for this.
First, a single bottle can cover up to 2,000 square feet. So, you may clean organic growth stains from your deck, driveway, and sidewalk without switching out bottles.
Second, the Xtreme Reach™ Nozzle offers superior performance.
For quick dispersal and faster cleaning, you can use the fan tip. To reach distances up to 30 feet, use the jet tip.
Like all of our Wet & Forget Outdoor products, the Xtreme Reach™ Hose End is safe to use on virtually any outdoor surface:
- Composite materials
- Fabric and outdoor carpets
- PVC and plastic
- Painted and stained surfaces
- Stone
- Vinyl
- Wood
So, if you accidentally spray your home’s siding or deck furniture, you won’t damage it. In fact, we encourage you to use Wet & Forget to clean patio furniture, siding, and almost any other outdoor surface. (Though, for small-scale cleaning jobs, we recommend Wet & Forget Concentrate.)
Wet & Forget works on contact to remove stains caused by moss, mold, mildew, algae, and lichens. It then partners with wind and rain to gently and safely lift stains and keep them away.
Depending on your local weather and climate, a single application a year is often all you need for a stain-free composite deck. On top of that, there’s no need for scrubbing, pressure washing, or using harsh cleaners like bleach.
How to Clean a Composite Deck Without a Pressure Washer
Before cleaning your composite deck, wait for a dry, mild day. Ideally, there should be no wind or rain in the immediate forecast, and the temperature should be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the forecast looks good, follow these instructions to clean stains on composite decking:
- Attach your garden hose to the backend of the Xtreme Reach™ Nozzle and connect the fan tip to the end of the nozzle.
- Rotate the dial counter-clockwise until you reach the “On” position.
- Spray thoroughly onto your composite deck.
- Keep pets and people off deck until it’s completely dry.
If you accidentally spray any plants, turn the dial on the Wet & Forget bottle to “Water” and give the greenery a quick wash.
That’s it. There’s no need to scrub or rinse.
In just a few minutes with Wet & forget, and with far less water than a pressure washer, you’ll have cleaned your entire composite deck.
Pick Up Your Wet & Forget Composite Deck Cleaner Today!
Despite their marketing, composite decks can still be susceptible to mold growth and stains. Instead of wasting water and potentially damaging your deck further by renting a pressure washer, pick up a bottle of Wet & Forget today!
