Deck Cleaners The Myths and Truths

Deck Cleaners The Myths and Truths

Deck cleaning is surrounded by myth. The big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s cater to a mass market. The deck cleaners that are sold in these stores almost always contain sodium hypochlorite better known by its common name, household bleach. There is a problem that arises when using sodium hypochlorite. When wood decks are constantly exposed to bleach, they degrade. The lignin in the wood gets broken down and is washed away. In addition, this type of deck cleaner leaves an unnatural whitening to the wood’s surface. If you apply a stain or pigmented sealer after cleaning you can end up with a blotchy finish.

A true professional deck contractor will use deck cleaning products that contain sodium percarbonate. This mild chemical agent is the precursor to sodium hydroxide and is contained in the brand name product OxyClean™. OxyClean by itself is not a perfect wood cleaner. It contains too many fillers and byproducts. Products that contain sodium percarbonate will effectively kill mold spores. The oxygenating power of the chemical will bring dirt to the surface. Percarbonate is also an good emulsifier of oil based stains.

After the deck cleaning process is complete a wood professional will usually pH balance the deck with a brightener. Brighteners are acidic and help to bring the wood back to its natural balance. This also creates an uninhabitable environment for mold re-growth. Stain finishes will now get a better “bite” and will last longer.