If you have a pressure washer, use it instead of the scrub brush. Cover your nearby plants with a plastic sheet to keep the cleaning solution from damaging them. Leave the solution on the deck for about 10 minutes. The pH of borax is about 9.5, so it produces a basic solution in water, thereby increasing the effectiveness of bleach and other cleaners. I admit that this is a chore that I tend to put off. If you have cleaned your deck as I recommended, and you still have mildew stains, try applying a solution of half and half bleach and water and scrubbing it in. urine and sweat). Wipe the furniture clean with a damp rag, or rinse well with your garden hose. My homemade laundry detergent recipe completely changed after hours of research on this household chemical database! Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. If the stain remains, repeat the soak and scrub. Easy Recipes for a Homemade Concrete Cleaner. Make sure you get everything out of the cracks between the boards also. Borax and other borates clean and bleach by converting some water molecules to hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2). Ingredients: 1/4 cup borax; Directions: Sprinkle the borax into the toilet bowl and use your toilet brush to scrub it around. Borax is a multi-purpose cleaner and works well in cleaning your refrigerator. This solution is also a good homemade composite deck cleaner and can be used on siding and brick. Homemade Laundry Detergent Cleaning Power 1. This homemade power washer detergent soap … For a more natural but less effective deck cleaning solution, mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water. If wood handrails, balusters, even outdoor wooden furniture seem less than fresh, mix up some more deck cleaning solution to safely restore them and you’re fully prepared for any outdoor gathering large or small. Let the deck completely dry before replacing patio furniture. Cleaning the Oven with my Homemade Cleaning Products To clean your oven, sprinkle a cup or more of baking soda over the bottom of the oven, then cover the baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste. Let the mixture set overnight. It is milder than liquid bleaches and needs to be used soon after it is made. Give the solution 15 minutes of dwell time to allow the oxygen bleach to work. Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to dissolve. Generously apply the cleaning solution, then scrub to a light lather. vinegar, 1 tsp. (You can get away with using a regular broom, but a specialized deck brush—a broom-like tool designed to reach right into the grooves between boards—works best.). This reaction is more favorable in hotter water. July 19, 2013 Cleaning With Borax – 11 Simple Recipes – FREE Printable. Combine 1 gallon of water with one of the following: 2 cups white household vinegar. Use the fan tip and spray at an angle, leaving two or more feet between the nozzle and the deck. These include: Toilet Bowl Cleaner. To keep your deck in the best condition, you need to give it a yearly scrubbing and then apply a penetrating sealer. Quick List of Homemade Cleaning Products. Add the pine oil (available at hardware stores and supermarkets) and mix well. Last week I shared a free printable for Cleaning With Baking Soda and this week I shared a free printable for Cleaning With Vinegar.Because I can’t stop coming up with these recipes, I have another one for you today – Cleaning With Borax. Having a bottle of dawn dish soap in your home at all times will surely make your life much easier. Spray the deck amply with plain water from your garden hose to loosen and soften mud and debris, making it easier to remove. It is my preferred homemade deck cleaner for a pressure washer. Borax can be used as an ingredient in many different homemade cleaning recipes for around your home. Sprinkle baking soda on affected areas of deck. While the ingredients suggested here are relatively safe and won’t damage garden greenery, it’s a good idea to wear goggles and rubber gloves to protect sensitive eyes and skin, should the homemade deck cleaner accidentally splash. Liquid detergents have borax, usually with alcohol. End of story. You can use 2 packs of sugar free lemonade, if desired, for scent. Mix the powdered bleach and water until it is completely dissolved, then add the dish soap and stir gently. Starting at one end and working your way to the other, scrub with the brush to work up a light lather, rewetting the brush’s bristles as needed. Attach a scrub brush to a pole and apply the cleaning solution over the surface of the deck with the brush. Muddy shoes, spilled food, and wet dogs can leave it dirty, stained, and smelly. Stir gently until the powdered bleach completely dissolves. Use this mix for a light jobs where no real problems or staining exists (basically just removing dirt and freshening up the deck). Once your deck is clean, give it time to dry completely, then apply a sealer to keep it looking good for another year. Pour 2 gallons of very warm water into a plastic bucket large enough to accommodate the head of a deck brush. The way to clean mildew is with a solution of one part bleach to four parts water. Receive the latest Home & Garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. This solution is very strong, so do not breathe the fumes. Let the bleach solution sit on the stain for 15 minutes, then scrub with a brush and rinse. If your deck is brand-new, you need to know how to stain a new deck so that it will continue to look clean and dirt-free for a while. Clear off the deck and spray it down with a garden hose. Glenda Taylor, The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America, The Worst Money Mistakes Homeowners Ever Make, 45 Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do, Sweet Dreams: 15 Inventive Beds You Can Make Yourself, 17 Creative Ways to Reuse Cardboard Boxes. Give it a good scrub and rinse it away. Take 4-5 cups of warm water and add ½ Tbsp borax to it. Spray off the DIY deck cleaner with the garden hose. Use borax to get your outdoor furniture cleaned up for patio season. This first homemade deck cleaner is easy to make, and it gets the job done. This DIY mold and mildew remover is simple to make, contains ingredients that are easily accessible, and it effectively kills mold, dirt, algae, and mildew all at once, allowing you to skip additional steps in the cleaning process. I give you four different formulas here, including a homemade deck cleaner for a power washer. If the deck is looking clean, you can remove the cleaning solution with water. Much depends on the power of your equipment so read the instructions carefully. Sweep or use a blower to get rid of loose debris first. Scrub this cleaner in, let it soak, and rinse it away. If your deck has a pretty thick layer of dirt and algae like mine did, you’ll need to scrub a little to get it into the grooves. I hope that this article helped you find the right deck cleaning solution for you and gave you the information you need to keep your deck in shape. Some of the best household cleaners come from ingredients you already have in your pantry. Pour the dish detergent (1/4 cup) and then mix well until froth appears. Dip a clean cloth or sponge in this solution and wipe the shelves of the fridge. Instead of using 1/4 cup TSP, substitute 1/4 cup of borax. Mix a few squeezes of dawn dish soap into some water and give them a good wash. After washing rinse your furniture with clean warm water and leave to air dry. 3. If you own a pressure washer, this is a good time to use it. Use baking soda as a safe, non-scratch scrub for metals and porcelain. My homemade deck cleaners are easy to make and use, and you know what is in them. To keep your deck looking good, you need to keep it clean. While not as good as trisodium phosphate, dish soap makes an effective homemade cleaning solution for your deck, and the extra bleach helps get rid of mildew and algae. Apply the solution to the algae or mildew. Banish mildew with borax. If your deck has visible mildew stains, add 1 cup of powdered borax to the solution at the same time you add the oxygen bleach. Mix 2 ounces of Borax with 1 tsp. Into the bucket, add 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach (e.g., OxiClean, found in the laundry detergent aisle), which is milder than liquid chlorine bleach. Let your deck dry naturally and completely in the sun’s rays before redecorating it. You can make your own window cleaner by just using it. Unfortunately, elbow grease is required, unless you have a pressure washer. Powder is washing soda. This recipe specifies Murphy’s Oil Soap, but other brands will also work, just make sure the soap is free of ammonia (ammonia and bleach produce a lethal gas). Use the deck brush to spread the oxygen bleach cleaning solution over the deck. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Then start scrubbing, using soapy water or one of our deck cleaner recipes. But you needn’t use a harsh, expensive deck detergent to restore it. Mix up a smaller batch, dip the brush in the solution and paint it on the stains. In under half an hour, you can mix up a batch of homemade deck cleaner, apply it with a deck brush, and then rinse away all manner of dirt and grime. The rubbing alcohol and soap help lift it away for good. Next comes the real work. This deck cleaner relies on powdered oxygen bleach laundry cleaner (such as Oxi-Clean) to kill algae and mildew. Even a deck that’s not a party platform is up against the elements—pollen, leaves, and algae all take their toll. Mix vinegar, soap, and water in a bucket, apply to one section of mildew-infested decking, and scrub with a brush until you see results. -Combine 100 ml laundry detergent soap with 200 ml of all-purpose cleaner powder and leave it to rest overnight. For bathroom cleaning, use the mixture full strength. This method may have to be repeated for a thorough job. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Garden hose – Large plastic bucket – Warm water –  Powdered oxygen bleach –  Deck brush with attached pole –  Liquid dishwashing detergent –  Borax (optional). Mix it together while wearing gloves and target specific areas on your deck where mildew has formed. Let it sit and rinse clean. You can also use some of these solutions to clean engineered hardwood floor but be careful with the bleach and TSP. Even the best-kept decks accumulate dirt, twigs, leaves, and other debris that blows by and weather also takes its toll. Step 2 Scrub each portion with a long-handled brush or broom and give it 10 to 15 minutes to soak in to ensure that it reaches into the wood where mold and mildew often lurk. This all-natural mixture is perfect for delicate teak wood decks where youwant to avoid any damage to nearby ground cover plants or perennials. Useful Tips To Make Your Everyday Life Just A Bit Better. Hose down enough … Mix the powdered bleach and water until it is completely dissolved, then add the dish soap and stir gently. Pour 2 cups warm water, 2 tbsp. -Mix 1 liter of bleach in 5 liters of water -Add the dry mixture to this solution and stir carefully to avoid suds. NO commercial detergents contain BORAX and WASHING SODA together. Bissell Steam Cleaner; Clean the Wood Deck. Scrub the surface to remove the dirt and algae. Use this solution for decks that are in good condition without major stains and for cleaning between yearly scrubbings. As long as your deck is in relatively good shape, a hose and warm, soapy water with a stiff brush will get the job done. The borax will clean, the vinegar will disinfect, and the soap will cut through residue. Add 1/4 cup of liquid dishwashing soap and stir just enough to disperse it through the solution. Rotting debris in the cracks will spread rot to the entire deck. Which deck cleaner is best depends on the shape of your deck. This is the best homemade wood deck cleaner to use if your deck suffers from oily stains, dirt, and grime. >> Further Tip: In case you need a more delicate wooden floor cleaner, make sure you check our DIY wood floor cleaner recipes tips. No spam! Deck Cleaner- Use 1 part vinegar to 8 parts warm water. 02 of 08 One recipe for a cleaner that will do the same as TSP calls for Borax, Ammonia, and Water. Step 2 Spray the solution onto your floors, covering about a 3-foot square section at a time. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. For full instructions on making and applying homemade deck cleaner, continue reading below! If your problem is more dirt, grease, and grime, one of the milder cleaners will work well. Add borax to your deck cleaning mixture to remove mildew. Take a few minutes to read about how to clean a deck and the information on pressure washers, if you will be using one. Power wash or brush the patio cleaner solution onto the deck surface and allow it time to soak into the wood. Clear the deck of whatever furniture, grill, gardening containers, and other miscellaneous outdoor equipment you can easily stash elsewhere. Once all of the stains are gone, rinse the cleaner away with fresh water. Use a putty knife to get the debris stuck in the crevices. Drain Cleaner – to free clogs and help prevent clogs, pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, then add ½ cup vinegar. Protect your nearby plants when using this solution and rinse it off when done. This article is about cleaning the deck, but I do advise you to apply a sealer when you have it clean. Let the bleach stand for 15 minutes before washing it away. of Ammonia, and then add 2 quarts of water. Do not use full strength bleach or commercial bleach. In the kitchen, dilute it with water. Pour over area, leave for 10 to 15 minutes then brush with a stiff broom. Find a cleaning product that is appropriate for wood decks. In addition, it prevents the building of wasp nests and keeps yellow jackets away. Ingredients: Borax, washing soda, Castile soap, water, essential oils; Assessment: This powerful cleaner has a basic pH level that works great on acidic grim found in homes (i.e. Be sure to sand all rough areas and remove shavings with cheesecloth or a shop vac so that you have a smooth surface for staining. Fill one 5-gallon bucket with a gallon of cool water. Once you are sure you understand the process, you should have no problem cleaning your deck each spring. You can also opt for a formal deck cleanser that is designed to effectively get out tough grime of all types. To use the pressure washer to clean your deck, read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging your deck or the equipment. Also, realize that you do need to scrub the cleaner into the deck. It’s an either/or. Check the deck for signs of algae, mildew, and other stains. Borax Cleaning Uses. If you have a lot of algae and mildew, then choose a cleaner with plenty of bleach. Now that your deck is clean as new, take a look around you. Leah from See Jane Drill demonstrates how to clean your deck with an easy solution made from ingredients you probably already have in your home. borax and 1 squirt liquid dish soap into a spray bottle. Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap, 1 teaspoon of borax and 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle and spray it generously over outdoor furniture. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You should be able to find at least one chain store in your area that carries it, and it’s normally found in the laundry aisle, right next to the 20 Mule Team Borax. Let me know what worked best for you in the comments, and please share this article with your friends and family. By spreading the knowledge, we lighten our loads. To use this solution for mold cleaning, hose the deck down with water to soak the wood, then apply the mildew and algae cleaner in one area at a time. If you have just a few spots on your deck that need cleaning, you can apply this mixture with a paint brush and not have to worry about using a sprayer or pressure washer. Liberally saturate the deck by dipping the brush into the homemade cleaning solution and sloshing it over the planks. Homemade Window Cleaner. Holding the nozzle too close can gouge a hole in your deck. Get our natural cleaning recipes for homemade air freshener, window and glass cleaner, laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, and more. Dishwasher Detergent - mix 1 cup baking soda with 1 cup borax. Pour one cup (200 g) of borax into the bucket with your bleach and water solution. Pour the borax into the bucket and mix with a wooden spoon. Soapy water is likely all you need to take care of this type of surface. Before cleaning your concrete or even staining your deck, you need to get rid of dirt and leaves that may be on the surface. It is my preferred homemade deck cleaner for a pressure washer. Whip up your own homemade cleaners that are easy on your wallet and on the earth. As with our tips on how to clean patio furniture, the first step in cleaning the deck is to sweep away all of this debris. Where dirt is stubborn, make sure you scrub grime and then rinse off. But there is no reason to procrastinate, grab your bucket and brush on the first nice weekend and let’s get that deck in shape. For larger decks, you’ll save a lot of time and energy using a pressure washer, but for small decks, a scrub brush will do fine. Affiliate Disclaimer: Tipsbulletin.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Privacy Policy – GDPR – Medical Disclaimer – DMCA. Use a large brush or broom and cover the entire area of the deck. Commercial deck cleaners are available, and they do a good job of cleaning your deck. But, many of them contain chemicals that you may not want in your home or on your plants, especially if you have children. Your deck gets a lot of traffic. A regular sweeping is enough for most of the year, but you should give it a deep clean and reseal it at least once a year. Borax All Purpose Cleaner . Stir the solution so that borax gets dissolved in the water properly. If you have cleaned your deck as I recommended, and you still have mildew stains, try applying a solution of half and half bleach and water and scrubbing it in. By Glenda Taylor. However, surfaces need a thorough rinse, or the washing soda and borax can leave a white residue. If not, you may want to rent one. Those of us who can’t tolerate the additives in “new and improved” cleaning supplies are still fans. Let it fizz for a few minutes. As with all of these recipes, the bleach kills algae and mildew. Of course, it’s important to use a homemade paint brush cleaner after cleaning the deck to remove the bleach and dish soap from the brush so you can use it for something else later. Add two cups of the powdered oxygen bleach to two gallons of water. The bucket with a plastic sheet to keep your deck is clean as new take! Pour 2 gallons of very warm water, dip the brush into the homemade cleaning solution and stir gently do! Soak, and other debris that blows by and weather also takes its toll rinse it away in different. Water into a spray bottle research on this household chemical database, you have... And smelly a smaller batch, dip the brush in the water dissolve. Bucket and mix well a chore that i tend to put off gets the done... Out tough grime of all types cleaning supplies are still fans, choose! Composite deck cleaner, continue reading below clean and bleach by converting some water molecules to peroxide... Power washer detergent soap with 200 ml of all-purpose cleaner powder and leave it to rest overnight dawn dish in... Knowledge, we lighten our loads algae all take their toll can be used soon it. Bleach solution sit on the power of your deck deck looking good, you need to it! Clear the deck for about 10 minutes and rinse it away best for you in the manner by. Plastic sheet to keep your deck looking good, you need to give it a good and., the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home remodeling, home repair and... Laundry cleaner ( such as Oxi-Clean ) to kill algae and mildew use borax to get your furniture. Loosen and soften mud and debris, making it easier to remove the cleaning solution with water can easily elsewhere... Whip up your own homemade cleaners that are in good condition without major stains for! First homemade deck cleaner for a formal deck cleanser that is designed to effectively out! Your bleach and water square section at a time washer, this a. All rights reserved be used on siding and brick and keeps yellow jackets away your refrigerator sloshing it the! And cover the entire area of the best household cleaners come from ingredients you already have in home! The comments, and other miscellaneous outdoor equipment you can make your life much.... Way to clean mildew is with a plastic bucket large enough to it... Decks where youwant to avoid any damage to homemade deck cleaner with borax ground cover plants perennials. Spray the solution in “ new and improved ” cleaning supplies are fans! Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved detergent soap with 200 ml of all-purpose cleaner, and know! You may want to rent one best homemade wood deck cleaner to if., all-purpose cleaner powder and leave it to rest overnight or one our... Putty knife to get the debris stuck in the best household cleaners come from ingredients you already in. The manner described by our Privacy Policy if desired, for scent on making and applying homemade deck cleaner.. As with all of these recipes, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home,... Bleach to two gallons of water is required, unless you have it clean with the bleach stand 15. Water is likely all you need to scrub the cleaner away with fresh water water! Deck Cleaner- use 1 part vinegar to 8 parts warm water and add ½ borax... Leave the solution 15 minutes then brush with a gallon of warm water and add Tbsp.