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Wood Deck Cleaner and Brightener

DeckWise® Hardwood Cleaner & Brightener

When it comes to deck building, we all want it to last a long time. We want the natural wood color to show and sometimes even a gray deck appearance is our preference. However, with time, wood decking gets dirty and loses its’ luster and natural hardwood appeal.

DeckWise® Wood Deck Cleaner (Part 1) and Brightener (Part 2) remove dirt and greying in preparation for re-oiling and applying finishes such as Ipe Oil®. These concentrated powders are formulated specially to cleanse and brighten exterior wood decks, wood fences, patios, terraces, wood siding, benches, chairs, and other outdoor wood items.

Approximate Coverage per 16 oz jar*

Smooth Wood: 600 ft2 (55 m2) / 16 oz
*Coverage on dense hardwoods

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Deckwise Hardwood Deck Brightener and Cleaner

HARDWOOD DECK CLEANER & BRIGHTENER

NOW AVAILABLE IN 32 oz. CONTAINERS!

Great For Large Projects

DeckWise® Deck & Wood Cleaner & Brightener are now offered in 32 oz. containers. Featuring the same great cleaning and brightening formula, these 32 oz. concentrated powders will Clean & Brighten up to 1,200 ft2.

wood deckc cleaner and brightener 32 oz.
DeckWise warranty emblem

DeckWise® Cleaner & Brightener Limited Warranty

In order to be eligible to make a warranty claim, you must complete the registration for warranty here: www.deckwise.com/warranty/register.html

Hardwood Cleaner - Part 1

It is a tough job to maintain hardwood decking, exterior furniture and rainscreen siding to keep it looking new. Think about this, if a person allows their car to sit outdoors for a year with no washing, do you think it would likely look new?

Whenever it comes to the expense of exotic decking and hardwood siding, we desire it to last a lifetime. We need the all-natural hardwood color to show and in some cases even a gray patina appeal is our choice. (Hardwood ipe decking, cumaru, jatoba, massaranduba, tigerwood and garapa are the a few types of hardwood that can be restored following graying.)

Wooden structures and wood in general trap dirt, dust, airborne, pollen and pollutants. So when expensive exotic lumber is used for a build project, we have to take the time to maintain or restore it with a quality hardwood cleaner. The general rule of thumb is to thoroughly clean your hardwood yearly, but doing it Spring and Fall is better.

Product contains Sodium percarbonate - for more information, click here

The primary purpose of a hardwood cleaner is to remove contaminants such as mold, oxidation (graying), dirt, algae, and in many cases, a much deteriorated deck patio stain that has failed. Our Wood Deck Cleaner removes dirt and graying as well as, is a preparation for re-oiling and applying wood oil finishes.

Making certain to clean your wood prior to the application of a high quality hardwood oil finish (we suggest Ipe Oil® Hardwood Deck Oil Finish) allows the oil finish to bring out the proper beauty of the wood’s natural grain patterns.

Ipe decking and siding, cumaru, jatoba, massaranduba, garapa and tigerwood hardwoods are the most striking exotic woods on the planet. In order to maintain the color and pronounced grain patterns, homeowners must properly prepare their wood before staining. When they do, they are completing an extremely important step to retain the natural hardwood color.

DeckWise® Wood and Deck Cleaner Part 1 is able to clean up to 600 ft2 (55 m2) of wood surface in each 16 oz. jar. One container will make up to five gallons of wood cleaning solution. If you have tougher jobs, they may require multiple cleanings or a stronger mix, so the coverage may be lower. These concentrated powders are formulated specially to cleanse exterior hardwood decks, wood fences, terraces, hardwood siding, deck railings, patios, benches, chairs, and other outdoor wood items.

Cleaning your hardwood deck or siding really does not need the use of a pressure power washer. We recommend a person DOES NOT use a power washer on hardwoods because they can leave streaking marks and frequently tend to raise the wood grain rendering a rough unwanted surface. They could also harm surrounding structures.

Many hardwood cleaners can increase the pH balance of your lumber generating a neutralizing acid. Use the DeckWise® Wood and Deck Brightener Part 2 application to stop the caustic of the wood cleaner, which will leave the deck or siding lumber in a neutral state.

The DeckWise® Wood and Deck Cleaner Part 1 is an oxygenated hardwood cleaner that contains the active ingredient Sodium Percarbonate. This is actually a registered compound by the Environmental Protection Agency for mildew and mold removing.

Once you follow the guidelines on the Wood Cleaner Part 1 label, the product is safe to use. It will not harm your wood, plants, or grass, as they are bio-degradable.

Hardwood Brightener - Part 2

Once you use a hardwood cleaner such as the DeckWise® Wood Cleaner Part 1, imagine it as a detergent. It takes out dust and dirt from the wood’s surface. The DeckWise® Wood Brightener Part 2 on the other hand, takes away tannin stains from hardwoods which are vulnerable to extractive bleeding as well as stripping dirt, rust, grime, and fungi stains from solid wood surfaces. Woods such as cedar and redwood fall into that classification. Tannins tend to be naturally occurring in many woods and show up as a dark discoloration once the lumber has been subjected to moisture.

The DeckWise® Wood and Deck Brightener Part 2 is a powder concentrate sold in 16 oz. containers mixed 4:1 with water to brighten and restore the all-natural charm of exterior hardwood decking and rainscreen siding. Also use on hardwood fences, railings and steps.

Product contains Oxalic acid - for more information, click here

Our hardwood brightener is an oxygenated hardwood brightener that contains the active ingredient Oxalic Acid and is also a pH neutralizer. The brightener will re-establish the pH level regarding your hardwood which causes it to become neutrally balanced and ready for oiling or staining. Once neutral, hardwoods are ready to accept the stain or oil finish more evenly and that will certainly increase the lifetime of the finish.

The objective of our product is to “brighten” the wood’s color while canceling the caustic impact from hardwood cleansers and deck stain strippers. It additionally assists to prepare new hardwood decking and siding by stripping mill glaze. It can additionally be applied to remove rusty areas from concrete, brick, and masonry.

The DeckWise® Wood and Deck Brightener Part 2 is capable of brightening up to 600 sq. ft. (55 m2) of lumber surface per 16 oz. jar. If you think you have a challenging job, one can easily mix a more powerful solution, but this might result in a lower coverage level. Manufactured to be included with the Wood Cleaner Part 1, it is a concentrate which can make up to 5 gallons dependant on the strength and applications needed.

Even new hardwood should be cleaned to remove lumber mill scale in order to render the surface extra porous to comfortably absorb hardwood stains. DeckWise® Wood Brightener is the second stage in a three-step method to protect your build project and keep it looking like new.

Our 3-Step Method:

  1. Clean using Wood Cleaner Part 1
  2. Brighten and neutralize with Wood Brightener Part 2
  3. Apply Ipe Oil® Hardwood Deck Finish

FAQ - Deck Cleaner & Brightener

Making sure to clean and brighten your hardwood deck or siding before you apply a high quality wood oil finish (Ipe Oil®) allows the finish to bring out the true beauty of the wood’s natural color. When you properly prepare the wood before staining, you are completing a very important step to achieve a beautiful finish. Cleaning and brightening is recommended at least once a year for maintenance and restoration as well as a fresh coat of Ipe Oil®

DeckWise® Wood and Deck Cleaner (Part 1) is able to clean up to 600 sq. ft. of wood surface with a 16 oz. jar. One container will make up to 4 gallons of wood cleaning solution. For tougher jobs it may require multiple cleanings or a stronger mix, so the sq. ft. coverage may be lower.n each 16 oz. jar. One container will make up to five gallons of wood cleaning solution. If you have tougher jobs, they may require multiple cleanings or a stronger mix, so the coverage may be lower.

DeckWise® Wood and Deck Brightener (Part 2) is also able to brighten up to 600 sq. ft. of wood surface per 16 oz. jar. One container will create up to 4 gallons of brightening solution. Again, if you have a tough job, you can mix a stronger solution but this will result in a lower sq. ft. coverage rate.

When you use any type of cleaner, think of it as a detergent. Cleaners remove dirt and dust from the wood’s surface however; it will also throw off the pH balance in the wood. The brightener on the other hand restores the natural pH balance of the wood after cleaning and it removes tannins in the wood that are susceptible to extractive bleeding. Tannins are naturally occurring in some woods and appear as a dark discoloration when wood is exposed to prolonged moisture. The Brightener acts like a bleaching compound but is actually an oxidizing agent.

We do not recommend anyone use bleach on wood. Bleach is known to destroy the lignin, which binds the cells, fibers and vessels of the wood together. It gives the wood an unnatural, pale, washed-out look. The only time that you should use bleach is to spot remove major mildew areas before applying a wood cleaner or finish oil.

Yes, it can. Place a small drop of household bleach or a chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) solution on the mildew spot. If the discoloration lightens, it is more than likely mildew. You will want to remove it by scrubbing with a solution of Wood and Deck Cleaner (Part 1), and thoroughly rinse with water. Once the wood is clean, use our Wood and Deck Brightener (Part 2) to bring back the normal pH level, which will “bleach out” the mildew discoloration safely.

It is a tough job to keep hardwood decking and siding looking like it did the day it was first installed. If you allowed your car to sit outside for a year without washing it, do you think it would look new? Wood traps dust, dirt, airborne pollutants, and pollen so you have to take the time to remove them with a quality deck restoration method. Check out our restoration kit for an all in one DIY package: CLICK HERE

The general rule of thumb is to clean your wood at least yearly, but doing it twice a year may be required depending on your climate. Likewise, circumstances surrounding your deck or siding such as trees, pools, salt water, sun, and shade also factor into the equation for yearly maintenance. Nevertheless, you will not want to reapply stain more than twice a year as that could create shiny spots and blotchiness if the oil finish does not penetrate deep enough into the wood from multiple coatings.

You will want to make sure to follow label instructions and mix the concentrates with warm to hot water for proper dilution. Be sure the concentrate dissolves in the water completely then apply to the wood surface following the instructions on each canister and scrub to agitate suds. Allow each product to work separately and then rinse thoroughly with clean water until no residue and suds are left. It’s that easy.

When you follow the instructions on the label, these products are safe to use. They will not harm your plants, wood, or lawn, as they are bio-degradable. Nevertheless, it is solely up to the user to rinse any items thoroughly ensuring solution residue has dispersed appropriately.

Product Info:

  • Cleans and brightens outdoor/exterior wood and removes dirt and graying
  • Prepares wood surface before oiling and finish staining
  • Outstanding for all decking maintenance
  • Concentrated powders provide maximum strength
  • Biodegradable, easy to handle and safe
  • Concentrated powders provide maximum strength
  • Each 16 oz. container cleans or brightens close to 600 ft2 (55 m2)

Product Applications:

  • Hardwood Decks
  • All Exterior Wood Surfaces
  • Fences
  • Wood Railings
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How to Apply Hardwood Cleaner and Brightener

Follow the instructions below when applying DeckWise® Hardwood and Deck Cleaner and Brightener.

STEP: 1

DeckWise Cleaner and Brightener application step 1

Sweep and clean dirt and debris from wood surface

Before staining or oiling wood decks and other wood items, always clean surfaces and gaps with a broom or brush. Once debris is eliminated, the process of cleaning and brightening can begin.

STEP: 2

DeckWise Cleaner and Brightener application step 2

Thoroughly rinse wood and keep wet

After all debris and dirt are removed from your deck or wooden item, rinse thoroughly. It is important to not let water stand or pool on the wooden surface. To insure this, sweep or brush excess water from deck or wood item.

STEP: 3

DeckWise Cleaner and Brightener application step 3

Mix 1/3rd cup of Cleaner Part 1 with 1 gallon hot water

Measure out 1/3rd cup of Cleaner Part 1. Mix with one gallon of hot water thoroughly. For optimal results, make sure all particles are dissolved before applying to wood or deck. Allow to soak up to 15 minutes keeping the wood wet.

STEP: 4

DeckWise Cleaner and Brightener application step 4

Thoroughly scrub wood with Cleaner Part 1, then rinse

Apply generous amount of Cleaner Part 1 with bristle brush to create suds. Use a long handled brush for decking, and a handheld for smaller items. Scrub with the grain of the wood to loosen deep dirt particles. Rinse thoroughly.

STEP: 5

DeckWise Cleaner and Brightener application step 5

Mix 1/3rd cup of Brightener Part 2 with 1 gallon hot water

Dilute 1/3rd cup of Brightener Part 2 with one gallon of hot water for the second step. Brightener particles should also be diluted as much as possible before use.

STEP: 6

DeckWise Cleaner and Brightener application step 6

Scrub wood with Brightener Part 2, rinse and let dry

Repeat Step 4; Scrub a plentiful amount of Brightener Part 2 with a brush into a lather going with the wood grain. Rinse well and let decking dry thoroughly before applying stain or oil finish.

STEP: 7

DeckWise Cleaner and Brightener application step 7

Once deck is dry, apply oil finish or stain

Now that your deck or wood item is cleaned and brightened, it’s time to apply a finish. We recommend Ipe Oil® Hardwood Deck Finish as an oil-based finish for natural hardwoods.
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