I have this greenish growth on my front porch (wood)... help! :)
by Jan
+17
I have this greenish growth on my front porch (wood)... that looks mossy... What can I clean this with that will get rid of it?
17 answers
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It needs to be pressure washed, then repainted.
![Adrianne C]()
Adrianne C
on Mar 11, 2014
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go to a home center and get some mold remover and scrub...then power wash and repaint. You can have them put a mold preventing agent in the paint.
![Jan Remling]()
Jan Remling
on Mar 11, 2014
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Yup, mildew. Common on decks. Depending upon the type of wood and size of deck, I would not be to quick to power wash. Done incorrectly it only raises the wood grain making it rough on the bare feet. A good deck cleaning with a stiff scrub brush and rinse should be all that is needed to remove the offending material. Painting is also something you need to consider if the deck is older and in poor shape. But forget the additives as they do little to prevent mildew from coming back. If the deck is highly shaded, you need to cut back branches or what ever it is that shades it if you can. Using a good quality hose sprayer and keeping the deck clean is all that is needed to prevent this from coming back. If the deck remains damp for long periods of time, then mildew will come back. To understand why the mold is growing and why the paint additive will not work is simple. The mold is growing on the surface dirt, not the wood. Keeping it clean will prevent almost all molds from growing on the surface. In any case clean and dry and keep dry and clean. And try to prevent leaves and lots of shade from hitting the deck all day. A few hrs. of sunshine is all that it takes to keep the green stuff from returning.
![Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com]()
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Mar 11, 2014
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Bleach and Brush
![Susan McMahan]()
Susan McMahan
on Mar 12, 2014
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If its just in spots, I think I'd use Dawn dish soap and a scrub brush.
![Adrianne C]()
Adrianne C
on Mar 12, 2014
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I have the same problem, and I usually have to give it a spring "Cleaning". We make a bleach/detergent mix and use a scrubbing brush, and it gets it off really good. It's always amazing how much better it looks after we're done.
![T Vaughn]()
T Vaughn
on Mar 12, 2014
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The bleach and water method works, And they do make deck cleaners that you use by hand. No special type just read the directions and follow them. lastly if you decide to use bleach, spray down the surrounding areas with water and rinse the areas well to dilute any bleach that may get on plants and grass.
![Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com]()
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Mar 12, 2014
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Harsh detergents like bleach will cut the finish and you'll have to repaint.
![Adrianne C]()
Adrianne C
on Mar 12, 2014
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Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection
![Funnygirl]()
Funnygirl
on Mar 12, 2014
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Adrianne C, I guess it all depends on how strong you make it, we've lived in this house almost 8 years and clean it every spring and have not had to paint yet. :) Although our doors also get the greenish dirty growth stuff too, and I have had to paint them. I think with them, I'm just going to give up on them being white doors and go ahead and paint them black.
![T Vaughn]()
T Vaughn
on Mar 12, 2014
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I would use 50/50 mixture of water and bleach. Use a spray bottle shake well and soak the area down. Let it stand for 20 mins. or so then lightly scrub and wash away with water hose.
![AJ Wells Roofing]()
AJ Wells Roofing
on Mar 13, 2014
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If cleaning by hand then the type of brush and pressure you use Will matter greatly. I have used a stiff bristle brush with a mixture of One part bleach to 3 parts water with some Lemon juice for good measure OR a mix of baking soda with vinegar and lemon juice. Beware however, add your baking soda very slowly as it will definitely foam when mixed with the vinegar. Lastly good old Dawn or heavy duty dish liquid and water works well.
![Tamara McMillan]()
Tamara McMillan
on Mar 13, 2014
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Bleach and a brush work the best. I have the same problem and the bleach helps kill the mold also. I even use a toothbrush to get the corners. I use a spray bottle filled with half bleach and half water.
![Wendy M]()
Wendy M
on Mar 13, 2014
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TCP....better than bleach and no fumes...Lowes or home depot....dry powder, mix with water and scrub.....(or, spray and let stand for awhile ....then wipe down) Love this stuff !
![Lynnpaulus]()
Lynnpaulus
on Mar 13, 2014
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I would use baking soda. It works for me. :-)
![Carmen]()
Carmen
on Mar 14, 2014
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We have to clean our porch every year. I found Simple Green works well against mildew. I spray it on and let it sit a few minutes and then rinse or scrub as needed.
![Ellen]()
Ellen
on Mar 15, 2014
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One other note to add to the conversation. Its important to know that some deck materials may not fair so well with some of the suggestions that are made to clean it. While one may work really well for one type of deck material, it may stain or bleach out the color in another. Wood decks tend to take a punishment from pretty much all of the suggestions and you may have great luck using anyone of them,, but if you have a plastic or man made deck of some sort, check with the manufacture of that product. Some cleaning done wrong will void any warranty they have on it.
![Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com]()
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Mar 16, 2014
Adrianne C
on Mar 11, 2014
Jan Remling
on Mar 11, 2014
Susan McMahan
on Mar 12, 2014
T Vaughn
on Mar 12, 2014
Funnygirl
on Mar 12, 2014
AJ Wells Roofing
on Mar 13, 2014
Tamara McMillan
on Mar 13, 2014
Wendy M
on Mar 13, 2014
Lynnpaulus
on Mar 13, 2014
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