How to Properly and Safely Clean Composite Decking at Your South Florida Home

Simple and Easy Maintenance

Composite decking is still the quickest expanding alternative to traditional wood decking materials available today. Why is that? It requires minimal upkeep and lasts significantly longer than wood decking. The material for composite decking is created from a mix of plastic and wood fibers. These wood fibers can range from wood chips to sawdust. The plastic part of composite decking can be sourced from either recycled plastics or brand new plastic materials.

Modern composite decking has really stepped up its game, with deck boards that are tougher and feature natural patterns that mimic real wood. Plus, they come in a bunch of colors and sizes.

One of the biggest perks of composite decks is how easy they are to maintain compared to the yearly cleaning and upkeep that wood decks need. The beauty and variety of options with composite decking are definitely a major selling point.

Wooden decks, on the other hand, demand a lot of care. You’ll probably have to refinish your wood deck every year to keep it in good shape. Maintaining wood decking involves a lot of work (sanding, bleaching, staining, painting, etc.) every year to ensure it stays nice. If you let maintenance slide, your deck won’t last as long as it should.

Once you start enjoying your new composite deck, you’ll want to do some basic upkeep, but the good news is it’s super easy! In contrast, composite decks are incredibly low-maintenance. You’ll never have to worry about staining or sealing to keep it looking fantastic!

With the modern composite materials that are great at resisting dirt and damage, you will still need to have the deck being cleaned from time-to-time to look their best.

Mold & Mildew

Depending on factors such as sun exposure and ventilation, mold and mildew can often penetrate and damage wooden decks. Fortunately, the same harm caused by mold and mildew does not affect composite decks in the same way. While they may appear unattractive on the surface, there is no cause for concern as they pose no risk to your decking. The most effective method for removing mold and mildew from your deck is to use dish soap and warm water, applying it with a soft bristle brush that has a handle to avoid bending over.

Debris & Materials

Due to its inherent anti-microbial properties, mold and mildew cannot develop directly on the surface. Nevertheless, when organic materials, such as debris, wet leaves, dirt, and others, accumulate on your deck, they form a conducive environment for microbial growth. By utilizing a leaf blower or broom to clear away debris, you can avoid the need to clean mold. Therefore, maintaining a clean surface will alleviate concerns regarding mold or mildew cleaning.

Dirt Between Grooves

Over time, the grooves on the composite deck boards will collect grime, leaves, dirt, etc. To keep grooves clean, power washing once a year. is highly recommended.

Food and Beverage Stains

Most food and beverage stains can be easily removed with a dry paper towel. For tougher stains, using soap and warm water will take care of most of them. For instance, red wine can leave a mark on wood decking, but cleaning is simple and effective on composite decks.