Pretreating a deck with a chemical cleaner or stripper breaks down stubborn organic growth and old stains. This crucial step allows you to use less pressure, preventing damage to the wood.
Before pressure washing your deck, first remove all furniture, planters, and obstructions. Sweep away loose debris and wet the surrounding plants with water. Then, apply a wood-safe deck cleaner (like a sodium percarbonate solution) or a mixture of soap and bleach. Let it dwell for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
Yes, October is actually one of the absolute best times of the year to powerwash. The mild, cool temperatures are perfect for preventing soaps from drying out too quickly while helping you clear away summer grime before the freezing winter weather sets in.
While a pressure washer will remove dirt, mold and mildew stains from a deck, pressure washing isn't a good way to remove existing wood stain and sealer from a deck. The pressure necessary to remove the finish could gouge or damage the wood.
It is not necessarily too late to stain a deck in November, but you must work within a specific weather window. The wood needs to be completely dry, and temperatures must consistently remain above 50°F (10°C)—both during application and throughout the 24 to 48-hour curing process.
The most popular deck colors are centered around nature-inspired, warm neutrals. Warm grays, light natural browns, and soft beige/taupe tones are dominating outdoor living spaces. These colors are highly favored because they hide scuffs well, stay cooler in the sun, and offer a seamless transition from indoor spaces to the outdoors.
Yes, Dawn dish soap is excellent for cleaning decks. Because it is a powerful degreaser, it works wonderfully to lift dirt, food, and grease without damaging the material. It is safe and highly recommended for both composite decking and wood decks.
Beware Pressure Washing Damage
For example, a power washer's pressure may cause splintering and damage to the wood fibers if you have wood deck boards. If the wood surface already has some splintering, pressure washing will only exacerbate the issue.
When you pressure wash, the dirt doesn't vanish. Instead, the high-pressure water suspends the grime and flushes it away as dirty runoff. The resulting sludge naturally follows the flow of gravity and water, ultimately ending up in soil, storm drains, or sanitary sewer systems.
The average cost to power wash a deck is between $100 and $300, with most homeowners paying around $150. On a square-foot basis, you can expect to pay between $0.30 and $0.77 per square foot for professional cleaning.
For a 2,000 sq. ft. house, you should typically charge between $400 and $800 ($0.20 to $0.40 per square foot). The exact price depends on the siding material, the number of stories, and whether you are also washing surfaces like driveways, decks, or roofs.
Power washing in the cold is possible, but you need to watch out for freezing temperatures. If you're pressure washing your home, try to do it when the temperature is above 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes, Zep makes specific formulas designed to be safely used with pressure washers, such as their Zep All-in-1 Pressure Wash or Zep House & Siding Pressure Wash.
The best deck cleaners for pressure washers are oxygen-based or specially formulated concentrates. Top options include Simple Green Oxy Solve (great for non-toxic, peroxide-based cleaning) and Kärcher Deck & Fence Cleaner (an excellent concentrated detergent for dissolving grime and algae).
After pressure washing, you should wait at least 48 hours before staining your deck. This allows the wood to dry thoroughly, ensuring optimal stain adhesion and uniform color. For the most accurate results, use a moisture meter to confirm that the deck's moisture content is below 15%.
The ideal pre-pressure wash solution depends on your surface, but a mixture of 1 part sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach) to 10 parts water is the industry standard for removing mold, mildew, and organic stains from concrete or siding. Always presoak surrounding plants with fresh water before applying any harsh cleaners.
Best Time to Pressure Wash Your House
Late spring, after the pollen has settled down, is the perfect time to pressure wash your home. Since pressure washing requires closely examining your home's siding, it's also a great time to inspect the exterior of your home for rot, pest invasions, and areas that need attention.
Running Dawn dish soap through a pressure washer's built-in detergent tank can damage or ruin the machine's internal pump. Dish soap is highly concentrated, creates excessive foam, and contains salts that can corrode pump seals and valves over time.
Running a pressure washer for 1 hour typically costs between $𝟎.𝟐𝟎 and $𝟑.𝟓𝟎 for electricity or gas, plus about $𝟐.𝟎𝟎 for water. Your exact cost depends on whether your machine uses gas or electricity, your local utility rates, and water usage.
Before pressure washing, spray a specialized deck cleaner, a wood stripper (if removing old stain), or a DIY mix (like oxygen bleach) on the wood. This helps break down stubborn organic growth and lifts grime, meaning you can use a much gentler pressure setting.
You may have read or heard your neighbor say that you shouldn't pressure wash your deck, because you can damage the wood fibers, or even scar the wood. That is very true! In the wrong hands a pressure washer can cause considerable damage to the integrity of the wood. Use fan tips of at least 30 degrees.
Yes, you can safely use Dawn dish soap to wash your deck. It is a highly effective, gentle cleaner that cuts through grease, dirt, and grime without damaging the surface. It is especially recommended by major composite decking manufacturers like Trex.
Murphy Oil Soap is specially designed to clean both finished wood and non-wood surfaces so they maintain their beautiful shine at all times. Murphy Oil Soap aims to bring out wood's beauty in a gentle and natural way. 99% Naturally Derived Wood Cleaner.
Yes, you can absolutely mix cleaning vinegar and Dawn dish soap. In fact, they create a highly effective, budget-friendly homemade cleaner that is incredible at cutting through soap scum, hard water stains, and heavy grease.
For a plant-friendly and pet-safe all-rounder, the best homemade deck cleaner is an Oxygen Bleach Solution. It is highly effective at lifting dirt, tree sap, and heavy grime without stripping wood fibers or harming your garden.