How To Clean A Treated Wood Deck

aerial view of a stylish town garden with wooden decking area, two metal square flower containers of lavender, sun umbrella, cafe table and chair

Linda Burgess Getty Images

Wooden decking needs regular care to keep it looking good and, before you get your patio garden furniture out of storage, this is the time to get rid of dirt and mould that's accumulated over winter. Follow this easy how to clean decking guide to get it bright and fresh for summer.

If the winter's been particularly harsh, you may have to refinish the wood after cleaning. Check by pouring a little water onto the surface of the decking – if it doesn't sit on the surface in beads then it's definitely time to refinish.

What is refinishing? Repairing or reapplying the wood finishing on an object. The process involves stripping away paint or old finish, sanding, and applying a coat of paint or stain.

1. PREPARE THE SURFACE

Start by sweeping away debris and loose dirt with a stiff brush.

2. GET RID OF DIRT

Washing will remove moss, mould and algae. Use a solution that dilutes in water, such as Ronseal Decking Cleaner or Liberon Tough Deck Clean and Revive, or a mix of bleach and warm water (but don't let this sit on the surface). Apply with a cloth, or, on an especially dirty area, use a brush.

3. STAIN AND FINISH

Once the decking's clean and dry, use a decking oil to coat it. This will penetrate the wood and give a hint of colour. A five-litre tin covers 50 square metres with two coats. To brighten the colour, apply two coats of decking stain, which will give a semi-transparent matt finish and waterproof protection.

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18 garden furniture sets perfect for your outdoor space

Best Colourful Furniture

Salsa 4-Seat Round Garden Table & Chairs Set, Coral

House by John Lewis

£399.00

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Best For Style

Natural rattan side table and 2 chairs set

Tap into the rattan trend with this super stylish side table with 2 chairs. Perfect for small gardens and balconies, the chairs have a deep seat, which is ideal for relaxing.

Best For Dining

Santa Rosa 6 Piece Outdoor Dining Set

Relax in style with this 6-piece dining set. With steel frames and a wave glass table top, this is strong and sturdy and the chairs can be folded for easy storage. It also comes with a parasol to shield you from the sun's glare.

Responsibly Sourced

Portside Garden Folding Bistro Set

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Best Feature

Ruxley 6 Seat Dining Set and Round Firepit Table

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Good Value For Money

Miami 5 Piece Lounger Set

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Best For Entertaining

St Mawes Drinks/Planter Bar Table

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Best For Compact Spaces

Parc Yellow metal folding garden table and 4 chairs set

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Rope Cube 8 Seater Patio Set

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Garden Rattan Furniture 3 PC Sun Lounger Recliner Bed

Outsunny

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Best Sofa Set

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Best Luxury Garden Furniture

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Mead Garden Bench Set, Graphite Blue

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