Best 4 Tips To Keep Your Hardwood Deck Spotless

You are doing things right if you have a hardwood deck in your backyard. Hardwoods are the perfect choice for outdoor projects; we tell you why in this article. Throughout history, wood has been the most widely used material in construction. Today, it is still the preferred choice for building a project due to its remarkable properties, especially when it comes to hardwoods. 

At Brazilian Lumber, we are direct importers of the best tropical hardwoods in the world. Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Jatoba, and Tigerwood are the star products of our business, as they offer the highest quality and durability compared to other materials. 

These five incredible tropical hardwoods have natural oils that make them impervious to almost anything. They are resistant to water, rot, insect damage, and mildew. Plus, they won’t scratch or splinter and have a high coefficient of friction. Some are even resistant to fire and salt water and won’t heat up in the sun.

All these great features are proof of the superior quality that characterizes them. But there is more. You may think these premium hardwoods require significant maintenance and care, but it is quite the opposite. These species are very low maintenance, so you won’t need to invest a lot of time and money to keep your deck in optimal condition.

Nevertheless, giving it a little attention once in a while is a good thing. We are happy to share a basic, simple, and practical 4-step cleaning routine to help you keep your hardwood deck spotless. It is easy to follow, and you will only need to do it twice a year if you want to. 

Before beginning the routine, picking up a sunny day is essential because your hardwood deck will need to dry properly. 

Best 4-step Cleaning Routine For Your Hardwood Deck

1. Sweep Your Hardwood Deck

Even if you follow only some steps of the cleaning routine that we are about to share with you, we recommend sweeping your deck once a week to remove debris and prevent dirt from building up. 

Use an outdoor broom and get rid of any debris that may block proper drainage and ventilation. Start by removing garden furniture from the surface. Next, examine the cracks for leaves or pine cones gathering between the boards. If dirt builds up, use a scraper or spatula to clean it. Instead of sweeping again, use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt. After vacuuming, take your garden hose and rinse the deck.

If old foliage is in between the deck boards, make sure to remove it. Debris in these areas can cause problems on any surface. You may need to use water, a brush, and mild dish soap for those stains that are hard to remove. 

We suggest preparing your own cleaning solution, as some soaps may be too strong for hardwood. Get the right mixture by mixing one gallon of warm water with one quart of powdered oxygen bleach. 

2. Scrub And Wipe Your Hardwood Deck

For those stains that won’t come out, scrub the boards gently using a brush with the homemade cleaning solution we recommended above. Then rinse the entire decking again to ensure no residue is left on the wood. Do not use a wire brush to clean stains because it will damage the deck boards and leave rough edges and splinters. Use a plastic bristle brush instead.

3. Wash Your Hardwood Deck And Let It Dry Properly

For more thorough cleaning, you can pressure wash your deck. Just keep in mind that most hardwoods cannot withstand pressures above 1200 psi. It is always good to pressure test an invisible corner of the wood. 

Once the cover has been cleaned, and pressure washed, allow it to dry properly for at least 24 hours. 

4. Oil Your Hardwood Deck To Keep Its Natural Color

After proper cleaning and complete drying, it is time to apply a hardwood oil base to prevent its natural color from fading. For sanding, you can use 220-grit sandpaper and then wipe the surface with a damp cloth or sponge. This will improve the texture and allow the hardwood to absorb the oil better. As for the material, it is recommended to use garnet to remove scratches and prepare the surface for finishing.

For better penetration, consider using a pre-sealed to open up the wood. You can find all the products you need here with us.

Do you know how the oil acts on the wood? This product is formulated to penetrate the texture of the wood surface while protecting it from the inside. 

The high oil and wax concentration make the boards resistant to water and dirt penetration while providing a long-lasting and easy-to-care surface. Make sure the product you select has UV protection, such as those we offer, like ProLux, DeckWise Ipe Oil, and Penofin.