How do I clean a wooden front porch?

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Hi Teacher. My husband had a deck business several years ago. So I asked for his advice on what you should do to clean your decking. He wanted me to tell you that you should use a pressure washer to clean the entire surface. Let it dry for a couple days and then seal it again. If you don't own a pressure washer, you can rent one from your local home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe's. He also wants you to know that you should re-seal your porch every 3 or 4 years. Wishing you well Teacher. Good luck.

Use outdoor 30 second cleaner sold at Home Depot or

lowes

works great

Your best bet is to sand the deck completely and refinish with an outdoors

finish. It's a lot of work however, the product will be awesome !!!!

Howi

Hello. Power wash.

You cannot immediately seal a pressure-treated deck seal after new installation as a rule. You should be fine. There are multiple effective deck cleaning choices at the hardware store. They all work well. Btw If you don’t have a pressure washer it can be done with a push type brush and a bucket of prepared solution.

I think I've used them all without a particular preference.

Sometimes scanning the label can influence my choice. Some indicate they are landscape friendly he would take care of my mold and mildew. It maybe advisable to use the same cleaner of the deck sealing product you intend to apply —it may make for a better bond and better result as well as help support the product guarentee.

I hope this helps.

You can clean it cheap with water,vinegar, and a squirt of dawn and a stiff brush/broom. Rinse well.

You will not ruin it by washing it. It is already out in the elements of sun and rain. Use Murphy's Oil Soap. Gentle soap that cleans. Use a bristle broom to save your back and dip into a bucket and scrub. It looks like a beautiful floor. I would consider sealing it with a wood product made to seal outdoor wood. Thompson's is NOT a good product. Most everyone I know has there porches peeling badly with this. Try one of the new ones like Seal Once or Marine Lumber. They are a little pricey but the amount of work you will save yourself sealing every year or two with the others is worth it.

I see many suggestions to power wash the deck, but I read recently that doing that opens up the "pores" in the wood and makes it weaker. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

If you have a brand new deck made of treated lumber (as opposed to cedar or redwood), you should wait at least a month or two before sealing it for the first time. This allows the wood to dry so the stain can be absorbed.

Do as Robin suggests.... You can clean it cheap with water,vinegar, and a squirt of dawn and a stiff brush/broom. Rinse well.

Based on the condition of the wood, it may be best to powerwash it on a low setting. Works well for my wooden deck. Bleach removes mold quickly. I spray it with bleach, let it set for about ten minutes, power wash, and rinse well.

This is the best cleaner I have found for decks. Deck Max.

Clear the Porch:

1. Remove all furniture, plants, and other items from the porch. This will give you clear access to the entire surface and prevent damage to your belongings during cleaning.

Sweep Away Debris:

1. Use a broom or leaf blower to remove loose dirt, leaves, and debris from the porch. Pay attention to corners and between the boards where dirt tends to accumulate.

Prepare Your Cleaning Solution:

1. In a bucket, mix warm water with a mild dish soap. If you prefer a natural solution, you can mix one cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water. For stubborn stains or mildew, add a small amount of oxygen bleach (follow the manufacturer's instructions for dilution).

Wet the Porch:

1. Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to wet down the entire porch. This helps prevent the cleaner from soaking too deeply into the wood, which could cause damage.

Scrub the Wood:

1. Dip the soft-bristle brush into the cleaning solution and gently scrub the wooden surface. Work in small sections, moving with the grain of the wood. Apply extra elbow grease to areas with stains or mildew.