Wood Deck Cleaner and Brightener

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.