How to clean a stained deck

Light maintenance on a stained deck is a soft-bristle brush and a garden hose. Sweep off leaves and debris regularly so they do not sit on the boards trapping moisture. Rinse seasonally to wash off pollen, dust, and salt residue.

For more involved cleaning, mix a small amount of dish soap into a bucket of water, brush across the boards in the direction of the grain, and rinse with a hose. Skip the pressure washer unless you know exactly what you are doing. High pressure on a stained deck strips the finish and roughens the wood.

Avoid bleach, deck brighteners, and harsh chemical cleaners on a finished deck. They are designed for stripping bare wood before staining, not for maintenance. They will damage the finish and shorten its life.

If the finish is reaching the end of its life and you need to deep-clean for a recoat, that is the moment to call us. We do the prep that comes before staining as part of every restoration job.