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The Global Insight

What household items can I use to clean my deck?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on April 19, 2026

Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water. Simply mix 1 gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of ammonia-free dish soap (such as Murphy's), 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and 1 quart of oxygen bleach.

What is the best thing to clean a deck with?

  • BEST OVERALL: Star brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner.
  • BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Krud Kutter Pressure Washer Concentrate.
  • BEST PRE-STAINING: Defy Wood Brightener.
  • BEST FOR PRESSURE WASHER: Karcher Multipurpose Cleaner.
  • BEST FOR MOLD AND MILDEW: Wet & Forget Outdoor Cleaner Concentrate.

How do I make homemade deck cleaner?

Not only is this homemade deck wash effective, it is also really easy to make…the only two ingredients you need are Oxygen Bleach (eg. Oxi-Clean*) and water. Mix about ½ cup of oxygen bleach with 2 gallons of warm water in the bucket until it dissolves.

Is vinegar safe for wood deck?

You can use white distilled vinegar and water to create an all natural cleaning solution for the deck. Vinegar is a good option as it will remove mildew, mold, and dirt on the wood.

Can I use laundry detergent to clean deck?

Clean grease stains with laundry detergent

All you need to do is mix whatever powdered laundry detergent you have at hand with water until you achieve a paste-like consistency. Apply it to the stains you can see on your concrete deck. Cover them with a plastic wrap.

How To Clean and Stain Your Deck. (Make your own cleaner)!

Can I use Dawn dish soap to wash my deck?

Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water.

How do I clean my deck naturally?

To clean your deck, combine 1 cup vinegar with 1-gallon water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed wood and use the vinegar and warm water to scrub over all the boards. Borate is also a natural cleaner and versatile for indoor or outdoor cleaning. Use a ratio of one cup of Borax to one gallon of water.

How do I clean my deck with dish soap?

Create a deck cleaning solution by mixing ¼ cup liquid dish soap with 1 gallon water. Use a stiff-bristled brush broom to scrub the deck with the cleaning solution. After you have thoroughly cleaned the stained deck, rinse it clean with a water hose.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean a deck?

Hydrogen peroxide (AKA oxygen bleach) – A lot of places recommend using hydrogen peroxide to clean your deck. The result is a foamy covering on your deck that loosens the grip of algae, dirt and grime on the surface of your wood. It won't necessarily kill the algae.

Can I use bleach to clean my deck?

Cleaners containing chlorine bleach are commonly used to clean decks but they are not recommended for cleaning treated wood. Excessive use of chlorine bleach containing cleaners (sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite) can damage treated wood leaving it with an unnatural whitewashed appearance.

How do you make homemade patio cleaner?

For a gentle cleaning solution, add one half cup of baking soda to 1 gallon of water. Mix equal parts baking soda, water and salt for highly soiled areas. Clean baking soda residue by spritzing it with vinegar. This creates a safe, natural chemical reaction that results in carbon dioxide gas and water.

Can I use Simple Green to clean my deck?

Simple Green Deck and Fence Cleaner is ideal for both manual and pressure washing your entire deck, lifting dirt, grease and sap from wood and composite surfaces. If using a pressure washer, avoid using a maximum pressure setting, as too much force can damage the wood fibers.

How do I get green mold off my deck?

White distilled vinegar: White vinegar is a popular natural cleaner that can be used both inside and outside. Simply combine one gallon of water with one cup of white vinegar and scrub the deck with the solution to remove algae, mold, and mildew.

Will vinegar remove deck stain?

Vinegar is acidic so, normally, it's actually used to remove stains. Issues can arise when vinegar is left to sit on decking for too long, as doing so can seep the color out of the wood.

What dish soap is ammonia free?

In general, all of experts say you shouldn't mix any two cleaning products together because they can cause harmful reactions. So, we can VERIFY, false, Dawn dish washing detergent does not contain ammonia.

Can you use baking soda to clean wood?

Use equal parts baking soda and white toothpaste to remove water stains on wood coffee tables. I haven't tried it, but baking soda apparently will remove alcohol stains on wood.

Can you use sugar soap to clean decking?

Before treating your deck, it should be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and grime. You can use a stiff broom and bucket with sugar soap, which is free of chlorine or bleach(in strong concentrations, bleach can prematurely damage wood).

How do you remove black stains from a wood deck?

Mix 1 cup of bleach into 1 gallon of water. Dip a scrub brush into the solution and spread it over the deck. Let it sit for several minutes before scrubbing up the mold. Rinse the deck when the black spots are gone.

Can I use OxiClean to clean my deck?

To clean the deck with this quick method, I just mixed 1 cup of OxiClean (powder) into 1 gallon of water. Pour a little bit onto your deck in sections and use a push broom to scrub the solution in really well. Once you notice stains starting to break up, spray down well until the soapy residue is gone.

How do you clean an unsealed wood deck?

Using the deck brush, apply the soapy water liberally to all surfaces you want to clean. If your deck is very large or if you have a lot to clean, you may need to make another batch of soapy water. Wait 10-15 minutes for the soap to soak in and do its work. Make sure the surfaces don't dry out during this time.