Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Deck

How to Effectively Clean Your Deck and Outdoor Area

Check out these steps to get your outdoor space in tip-top shape for spring and summer entertaining.

1. Clear the Deck
   Begin by clearing off any furniture, plants, and grilling equipment from the surface of your deck. Make sure to remove all pieces of clutter that have found their way there. You can’t get a deep clean when you’re trying to work around things. Place everything, including all cushions and indoor/outdoor rugs, on the lawn. They’ll need a good cleaning as well, but we will get to the furniture and decor, later.
   
   
2. A Clean Sweep
   Make sure to sweep away the leaves and any loose dirt and debris that settled during the fall and winter months. Pay close attention to the grooves and spaces between deck boards. Grab a tool like a putty knife to remove debris like leaves, small rocks, and dirt that accumulated over time, and is stuck down between the boards. Gently work the gunk out, being careful not to be too rough with your deck boards. Be sure to check for signs of mold while you’re doing this!
   
   
3.  Rinse and Repeat
   Grab a hose, or a pressure washer, and rinse that entire deck! Make sure to get any remaining dust or leftover debris off the surface of your deck. If using a garden hose, it would be ideal if you have a spray attachment that can be set on high. Just be careful not to damage your deck from too high of water pressure. That can happen if you’re blasting away at your deck like a firefighter at a house fire!Grab a sponge with a gentle scrubbing side and work on any stains or spots from leaves, pine needles, or anything else that may have left an oily residue on the surface of the wood. This is the necessary prep that is needed to be sure that your mold and mildew cleaner can do its job. Then, rinse again!
   
   
4. It’s Time for the Suds
   There are a plethora of deck cleaning products and mold and mildew cleaners available on the market. But, who has time to experiment with cleansers that don’t work? When you use the best, it can cut your cleaning time in half. Miracle Mist All-Purpose Cleaner is a mold removal spray that cleans and protects surfaces from future mold and mildew stains. With the addition of our new PREVENT! technology, this mold and mildew stain remover keeps stains away for 1 year! It’s a non-bleach cleaner that can be sprayed on hard and soft surfaces for months of protection. When you work hard to clean your deck, you’ll want it protected against future nasty mold, mildew, and algae stains.Pull out your Miracle Mist All-Purpose Spray Cleaner and a handy-dandy, long-handled brush (or strong push broom), and scrub your deck clean. Pay special attention to spots and stains by adding more cleanser and letting it seep into the stains. Now, thoroughly rinse your deck with a garden hose to ensure that everything is as clean as possible.
   
   
5. High and Dry
   Don’t be too hasty with bringing everything back onto your deck. You will want to allow your wood boards to thoroughly dry. By the way, this would be a great time to resurface your deck! You’ve come this far, why not finish with a bang? For this step, you’ll need to purchase a wood deck resurfacing product. Explore your options when it comes to wood resurfacing. Some include a waterproofing agent or even a self-repairing agent. You’ll need to check out the ingredients to see what will work for you and your application process. Before sealing, sweep your dry deck to clear away any dust that may have settled. Then, apply the wood resurfacer according to the instructions given on the label.
   
   
6. Don’t Forget the Furniture!
   Now is the time to remove and wash all cushions and outdoor throw pillows. Be sure to thoroughly wipe down your outdoor furniture to get rid of any oils or built-up grime. You can use a cleaning spray to really break down the muck. MiracleMist works as a fantastic mold and mildew remover for furniture as well! It’s a non-bleach cleaning solution meant for both hard and soft surfaces, making it a perfect one-size-fits-all solution for all of your outdoor cleaning needs.This is also a time when you may look at your furniture and decide it needs a paint job. If that’s the case, do it! Run to the hardware store and grab cans of paint that are made especially for outdoor furnishings. A new coat of paint can make your patio furniture look brand new. And you will get that new furniture look for pennies when compared to what it would cost to completely refurbish your deck space.
   
   
7. Spruce It Up
   Do you need to add a little more to your patio’s vibe? Add some plants or lighting. String lights across the banisters, lanterns with candles, a fresh and vibrant indoor/outdoor rug, and potted or hanging plants can make your deck the perfect party pad for the entire spring and summer season.