Like any other commodity in your home, your outdoor living area also deserves cleaning and maintenance. If you already have an outdoor deck at home, you must’ve considered the maintenance you’re required to do before you bought the house with a deck or before you got a deck built on your outdoors.
Your deck is required to be cleaned at least once a year, or however often you use it. It requires a yearly exfoliation, and the best time to deep clean it is in moderately warm weather. Using a cleaning solution made specifically for your type of material on your deck can surely keep it brand-new-looking.
Using appropriate cleaner and tools
If you have a wooden deck, just a standard deck cleaner would be appropriate. It still depends on what type of wood your deck is made of, so you better ask your manufacturer if you’re not entirely sure. Some cleaners need the deck to be wet before applying the solution, and some don’t. If you’re using a pressure washer, be careful not to use it for too long on your deck material since it might set off its structure and its durability.
Don’t use a cleaning solution with chlorine bleach unless you don’t mind stripping the wood from its natural color. This ruins its cellular structure as well, making the wood less durable. All-purpose oxygen bleach can use instead. This type of cleaning bleach doesn’t wash out colors. However, it still isn’t suitable for redwood.
A composite deck is very easy to maintain than any other material. It’s also the least costly as well. Trex seclusion fencing costs are less than your average traditional fencing, and it’s made from super safe and eco-friendly manufacturing. It does require a cleaning solution specially formulated to composite material so it wouldn’t so quickly. For grease and oil stains, use a commercial degreaser and detergents to do the job.
Looking out for your deck in winter
If you live in a state with a colder climate, unless you have an outdoor fireplace, you’ll be spending your time indoors more often. With this, you have to ensure that the outdoor furniture on your deck is taken care of.
Get them ready for you when the warm weather comes again. Store them under a shed or your garage. If you don’t have a place to store your outdoor furniture, at least cover them with a protective waterproof yet breathable fabric, such as polyester. It’s extremely durable and doesn’t fade from the sun or even rain.
Cleaning after the weather warms up
Even if you covered up your outdoor furniture during winter, you’re still required to clean up when spring comes since you’re able to use them by this time. You don’t want an unclean deck. It serves as a welcome sign for mold and mildew as the weather dries up.
Now it’s time to get rid of debris with a putty knife, especially between the deck boards. After this, sweep the area thoroughly to get ready for a cleaning solution. Again, make sure you use the appropriate cleaning materials for the type of deck you have.
It’s your choice whether to do an intense cleaning in your yard after winter, also depending on how much cleaning it needs. You can power wash your deck for a thorough hardcore cleaning. For a gentle cleaning, you can use a light hose and scrub the stains off with a gentle cleaning solution.
Reducing the requirement for cleaning outdoor furniture
This isn’t always an exciting task, but it doesn’t have to be dreadful or time-consuming. Even if the furniture is covered when not in use, it’s still important to clean them every once in a while, especially if you have cushions materials.
Even though outdoor furniture is meant to withstand the outside elements, pollutants always naturally build up on any surface. While most are completely harmless, some can still damage your furniture. Worse, it may cause you sickness, especially if you have asthma or allergies. Insects, pollen, mold, dust, and dirt can still have a negative impact on your furniture pieces.
Cleaning your patio furniture is important, but there is a way where you don’t have to do so often. You can do this by using dirt-repellent fabrics, which repel everything, such as water, food stains, mold, and bleach. With this, you can still add covers when they’re not in use.
Even with the best materials, the weather and nature can still get to us by pouring rain or snow. This is why you should go for what you can afford and clean your outdoors as much as it needs. You don’t have to buy expensive furniture and cleaners to have a good time in the outdoor area of your home.
