Nobody wants to spend their precious free time doing deck maintenance, so composites like NewTechWood are very popular. But rain, dust, leaves and mud are seasonal hazards regardless of what your deck is made from, and keeping your deck clean will ensure it looks good year-round and eliminates any damage potential. Also, many homeowners are proud of their outdoor entertaining areas and want every aspect, including their deck, to continually appear immaculate.
Why Can’t Deck Cleaning Wait?
The longer you leave dirt and debris in place, the greater the chance of stains, mould, mildew forming, and dirt building up. The longer you leave it, the more difficult it will be to remove.
As seasons change, natural timber decking expands and contracts, allowing dirt and moisture to work down into the grain, contributing to warping and rotting. This doesn’t apply to NewTechWood composite decking, but as with everything exposed to ongoing moisture, mould can form, especially under potplants.
Fortunately, it is easily cleaned off. So, whether your deck is timber or composite, keeping the pristine look of your deck will require occasional cleaning. The good news is you don’t need a pressure washer! You don’t even need a lot of time or skill.
What Products Should You Use To Clean Decking?
WARNING: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any possible deck damage. For all details regarding NewTechWood’s deck cleaning, check our Care and Maintenance page.
Read the label! Some deck cleaners are only suitable for natural timber, and others are designed just for composite.
Fortunately, there is a great new Australian-made product called DECKWash that can be used for both wood decks and composite decks.
The advantage of using a specialised deck cleaner like DECKWash is its capacity to handle stubborn dirt, mildew, and grime, which is much better than dish soap or a homemade solution. (And you should definitely avoid strong chemicals like bleach, CLR or sugar soap, which can cause damage to both timber and composite.)
Order DeckWash from your local Newtechwood Reseller
DECKWash is simple to use.
- Prepare the surface – move furniture if necessary and sweep the deck clean of cobwebs, dirt, twigs and leaves.
- Wet the deck down – quick squirt with the hose.
- Apply DECKWash and scrub using a soft broom or deck brush.
- Let sit for a few minutes, and then rinse off. You may need to re-apply if your deck is extra dirty.
- Allow the deck to dry and replace furniture.
Want more deck cleaning help and advice? Visit our blog How To Clean Your Decking Boards.