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How to clean a deck

Overview

Cleaning a deck is an important step in maintaining it and ensuring it stays in great condition for years to come. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get the job done efficiently.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glass, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1Check the weather and clear the deck

Before you start, make sure to choose a day that’s not too hot and has no rain forecast. This ensures the cleaning solution works effectively without drying too quickly or being washed away by rain. Move any outdoor furniture, pots, or other items off the deck.

A Bunnings Team Member is standing on a wooden deck, holding a black chair and arranging it near a table

2Sweep the deck

Once clear, use a stiff-bristled broom to sweep the entire surface, including the steps. Make sure to pay attention to the gaps between the timber boards, as dirt and debris tend to build up there. For those tight spaces, a small brush can be useful.

A person is sweeping a wooden deck with a broom featuring an orange and black brush.

3Wet the deck

Before applying your deck cleaner, wet down the entire surface with water. This helps prevent the cleaning solution from drying too fast, allowing it to work properly on the timber.

A Bunnings Team Member is watering a wooden deck with a garden hose, while a yellow bucket and a broom can be seen in the background

4Apply deck cleaner and scrub

Apply the deck cleaner as per the product’s instructions. Using a stiff bristle deck scrub brush or broom, start scrubbing the surface. Work in sections so you can focus on one area at a time. Scrub along the grain of the timber to help the cleaner penetrate deeper into the grooves, lifting dirt, grime, and any embedded mould or mildew.

A Bunnings Team Member is scrubbing a wooden deck with a broom and a yellow bucket nearby.

5 Rinse thoroughly

Once you’ve scrubbed the entire deck, it’s time to rinse off the cleaning solution. You can use a garden hose or a pressure washer. Start at one end of the deck and work your way across, ensuring all the cleaner is thoroughly washed away.

If you’re using a pressure washer, be careful with the pressure setting—too high can damage the timber.

A person is using a Karcher pressure washer to rinse off the cleaning solution from the deck.

6 Inspect for missed spots

After rinsing, check the deck for any areas that might need a little more attention. If necessary, give these spots a quick re-scrub and rinse again. Then leave the deck to dry completely - this could take a few hours to a full day depending on the weather. Once dry, your deck should look clean and refreshed.

To protect your deck from the elements, it’s a good idea to apply a fresh coat of deck oil once it’s clean and dry. This helps to nourish the timber and keep it looking cleaner for longer.

An image of a clean and refreshed timber deck with three steps

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.