How to Clean a Cedar Deck

Cleaning a cedar deck requires a bit more care than cleaning other types of decks. Cedar decks can be particularly beautiful if cared for properly. Plan on cleaning your cedar deck in the spring and fall each year, but plan on sealing the deck every other spring. This will ensure that your cedar deck stays in good repair for years to come.

Before beginning, make sure your deck is in good repair and replace any rotted boards and loose screws. Keep in mind that you can use a pressure washer to wash your deck, but a pressure washer can damage the wood. If you do use a pressure washer, be sure to use a low pressure setting. However, you may be able to place the cleaning and bleaching solutions into the pressure washer, saving you time during the application process.

Step 1: Create a cleaning solution to use on your cedar deck with one gallon of hot water and half a cup of trisodium phosphate. Always wear rubber gloves when working with TSP.

Step 2: Apply the mixture to the cedar deck using a firm bristled scrub brush. Spend some time cleaning the deck, making sure that the debris and dirt is detached from the deck.

Step 3: Rinse the deck with a garden hose, making sure to remove all traces of the TSP solution before continuing.

Step 4: Create a wood brightening solution that will also kill any lingering mold and mildew by mixing a gallon of hot water and a quart of bleach.

Step 5: Apply the bleach solution to the cedar deck with the brush, making sure that there is even coverage over the entire deck. Wait 30 minutes before proceeding.

Step 6: Rinse the bleach mixture off of the cedar using a garden hose with a nozzle attachment. Make sure that the deck is completely clean before proceeding.

Step 7: If you want to seal the deck, wait 48 hours for the cedar deck to dry completely. Then clean off the surface of the deck using a clean rags to remove any dust. Then you should be able to apply sealant with a paint roller and paintbrush as necessary.