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6 Ways to Make a Homemade Deck Cleaner That Works

These homemade deck cleaners are easy to make with step-by-step tips for wood, composite, and PVC decks. Keep your outdoor space clean and safe year-round.

You can make a homemade deck cleaner that works with ingredients you already have around the house. These cleaners work very well and can be easier on the environment than commercial solutions.

Seagull standing on recently cleaned deckPin

At the start of summer, you’ll probably notice your deck boards and railings looking dull and dirty. It may show dirt, grime, or even mold or algae growing on the surface.

In fact, with just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your home, you can make your own DIY deck cleaner that will leave your deck looking like new again.

In this article, we’ll share six different recipes for homemade deck cleaners that are safe and effective for decks. We’ll also provide tips on how to prepare your deck for cleaning and how to stay safe while doing so.

Wood, PVC or Composite Deck?

Before you start, you need to know what it’s made of. Decks are made from several different materials, from traditional wood decks to composite and PVC decks.

Composite and PVC can take some cleaning agents that wood might not react to well. So you need to identify the type of deck you have before selecting the appropriate cleaner for it.

The age of your deck can also affect how you clean it. An older deck may be more porous than a newer one, making it more prone to mold and mildew growth.

The condition of your deck’s finish also matters. Is it stained? Painted? Sealed? If the finish is peeling, it need to be cleaned more gently.

If you have them, read the manufacturer’s instructions for how to clean the deck.

The Benefits of Homemade Deck Cleaners

Opting for homemade deck cleaners can be a more environmentally friendly choice. They’re made from ingredients that are safe for plants and pets.

And you can save a lot of money by making your own cleaning solution as opposed to buying expensive commercial products. 

Preparing Your Deck for Cleaning

Before you begin, you need to prepare your deck. Start by removing all furniture, planters, and other decorative items from the deck. Sweep the deck thoroughly to remove any loose dirt, leaves, or debris that may have accumulated over time.

If your deck has any stains or mildew growth, cleaning will be easier if you address those areas first. Use a stiff-bristled brush and the appropriate recipe below to scrub away any visible stains or discoloration. 

After addressing any stains or mildew on your deck, take a closer look at the condition of the wood itself. Check for any loose boards or nails that may need to be replaced or tightened before cleaning begins.

Safety Tips

It’s important to take some safety precautions. First, your deck may get slippery when it’s wet. Wear sneakers or other shoes with a good tread.

You shouldn’t really need a mask or goggles for this job, especially if you invest in a very affordable deck brush. It’s just a normal scrub brush that’s on an extension pole. It saves you from having to bend or kneel to scrub the deck.

It also saves you from breathing in any fumes from the cleaners or having anything splash into your eyes. While these ingredients are all non-toxic, that doesn’t mean they can’t set off allergies or respiratory discomfort – just like household cleaners.

Rubber gloves are recommended, just as they are with house cleaning. Chances are you’ll use your hands at some point in the process, so protect them.

Last but not least, take care not to over-saturate the wood with water as this could cause damage. Use a garden hose set at low pressure or a power washer set at low speed and high flow rate when rinsing off your deck after using any of these homemade cleaners.

Using a Pressure Washer

If you like using a pressure washer, don’t put any solution in it that has a powdered ingredient. It could clog the nozzle or even break the pressure washer.

You can on the other hand put pure liquid deck cleaners in your pressure washer, but always check the manual for your pressure washer to be sure.

All of these solutions are designed to work with a simple garden hose. However, if you have a pressure washer and like to use it to clean, you can use it at the end in place of a hose them off the deck for added cleaning power. 

Just make sure your deck material can handle pressure washing.

How to Clean a Deck: Scrub, Rinse with Hose

Whichever deck cleaner you use, the basic steps are always the same.

  1. Scrub the deck with your cleaner and a brush or long handled deck brush. Clean the entire deck and pay special attention to stains or spots of mildew or algae.
  2. Rinse the deck with a hose or buckets of water once the cleaner has set as long as the recipe instructions say to let it.

It’s really that simple! Not a fun job, but it’s pretty easy. You’ll love knowing your deck is clean because of these homemade deck wash cleaning products you make yourself.

Recipe #1: All Purpose Deck Wash (Oxygen Bleach)

An oxygen bleach solution like OxiClean is a powerful and eco-friendly deck cleaner that can remove tough stains and restore your deck’s natural beauty. Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach does not harm the environment or damage the wood fibers of your deck.

Oxygen bleach contains sodium percarbonate, which reacts with water to release hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate. This reaction creates a powerful cleaning agent that can penetrate deep into the wood pores and eliminate mildew, algae, dirt, and grime.

This solution is perfect for cleaning off dirt, grime, and other buildup that accumulates on your deck over time. This can also take off moderate amounts of mildew.

  • 1 gallon warm water
  • 1 cup powdered oxygen bleach
  • 1/8 cup Dawn dish liquid (optional)

Pour everything into a bucket and stir until it’s reasonably well-mixed. You can double or triple the size of the batch if you have a big deck.

You don’t have to use Dawn brand. You don’t even have to include the dish liquid. But Dawn is good if you have any dity that’s greasy, oily or caked on.

Using a stiff-bristled brush or mop dipped in this cleaning solution, scrub your deck in small sections using circular motions. Finally, rinse off the solution with a hose or pressure washer.

Recipe #2: DIY Deck Cleaner (Vinegar)

Vinegar is an effective and natural cleaner that can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks, including cleaning your deck. The acidity in vinegar helps to break down dirt and grime, while also killing mold and mildew. 

  • 1 gallon warm water
  • 2 cups white vinegar

This one is a great homemade wood deck cleaner. If you have only a few difficult spots, you can add some dish soap to the mixture and scrub those. 

Spray the solution onto your deck and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before mopping and then hosing off.

Recipe #3: Mildew Remover (Stronger Oxygen Bleach)

When Recipe #1 can’t get off all the mildew, you need a stronger oxygen bleach solution.

  • 1 1/2 cup of powdered oxygen bleach
  • 1 gallon of warm water

Mix them together in a bucket until the powder is fully dissolved. Then apply the solution to your deck surface. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow it to penetrate into the wood fibers.

After that, scrub the areas of mildew with a brush. They should come off easily. After you’re done doing that, rinse the solution off the deck with a garden hose.

Recipe #4: Mold, Mildew and Algae Remover (Borax + Dish Soap)

Decks can also grow algae and mold, especially if you live in an area with a lot of moisture in the air. Or if your deck is in the shaded area.

Algae is gross and can make your deck slippery. Mold can be bad for you to breathe. This solution will get rid of both.

  • 1 gallon warm water
  • 1 1/2 cups borax
  • 1 cup of oxygen bleach (optional, but helps if you’ve also got mold)
  • 1/4 cup Dawn (or another dish liquid)

Mix everything together in a bucket. Wash down your deck with a hose first. Then use a scrub brush dipped in the solution to scour the deck. Hose it all off when you’re done. Repeat if necessary.

Recipe #5: Deep Cleaning (Baking Soda & Borax)

This deck cleaner recipe is perfect for deep cleaning. It’s especially great for decks that haven’t been cleaned in a long time.

Borax is a natural mineral powder that can effectively remove dirt, grime, and stains from your deck. And baking soda acts as a gently abrasive agent to scrub away stubborn stains and also works as an odor eliminator.

  • 1 cup of borax
  • 1 cup of baking soda
  • 1 bucket of hot water

Combine the borax and baking soda in the bucket. Add hot water gradually until it forms a paste. Use your deck brush to apply it to the deck and scrub vigorously.

After that, let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then hose it off with clean water.

Recipe #6: Homemade Composite Deck Cleaner (Baking Soda and Vinegar)

This one will clean about as well as Recipe #1, and it has the advantage of only needing two ingredients that almost anyone will have on hand: baking soda and vinegar.

It’s great for composite decks because it doesn’t contain any bleach. Some of you will prefer this recipe on any deck material just because you love using baking soda and vinegar to clean around the house.

  • Baking soda
  • White Vinegar

Sprinkle baking soda all over the deck, especially on stains. Pour vinegar over it and watch it start to fizz. 

Once the fizzing stops, scrub it with a brush. Hose it all off when you’re done.

Deck Maintenance Tips

Maintaining your deck can make it last longer, and it can also help to make cleaning easier. Now that you know how to use homemade deck cleaners to remove dirt, mildew stains and algae, learn how to keep your deck looking great all year long.

Tips for all Decks

Regular Sweeping: Sweep off leaves, dirt, and debris regularly which can accumulate and cause moisture retention, eventually leading to mildew or rot.

Wash Your Deck: Wash your deck with one of the above deck cleaner recipes at least once a year.

Avoid Damage: Don’t drag heavy furniture across your deck as it may scratch or gouge the material. Use furniture pads under table and chair legs to prevent damage.

Inspect & Repair: Check for loose boards, popped nails or screws, signs of rot or damage. If any issues are found, repair them promptly.

Remove Stains Quickly: If you spill food, wine, grease or oil on your deck, clean it up immediately using warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush to prevent stains from settling in.

Ice & Snow Removal: During winter months, remove snow with a plastic shovel and avoid using any kind of ice melting products as they can damage the surface of the deck.

Avoid High Heat: Don’t place grills or fire pits directly onto your decking as extreme heat can cause warping or discoloration. (You can by heat resistant fire pit pads to put under them.)

Trim Surrounding Trees and Bushes: Make sure no nearby plants are touching the surface of the deck as they could scratch the surface or trap moisture.

Move Planters Around: If you have planters on your deck, be sure to move them around occasionally to prevent discoloration or moisture buildup.

Be Mindful of Water: Make sure that your deck is sloping away from your house so water doesn’t accumulate and cause mold or mildew growth.

Specific Tips for Wood Decks

Be Cautious about Power Washing: While power washing can quickly clean large areas, it might also cause damage by splintering wood fibers if used inappropriately or too frequently.

Seal the Deck: After washing the deck and letting it dry completely, apply a waterproofing sealer to protect against water and UV damage. This should probably be done once a year.

Tips Just for Composite Decks

Periodic Deep Cleansing: Composite decks may need cleaning in both the spring and fall. Avoid cleaners with bleach as they can fade the color of the deck.

Specific PVC Deck Maintenance Tips

Use Soft Bristle Brush: When cleaning, use a soft bristle brush to avoid scratching the surface of the deck.

Do Not Use a Power Washer: Power washers can damage the surface of PVC decks by making them too rough or causing divots in the material.

Avoid Paint or Stain: Do not paint or stain your PVC deck as this may void any warranty provided by the manufacturer, not to mention that it may not adhere well.

Enjoy Your Clean Deck

These homemade DIY deck cleaning solutions will make it so much easier to get your deck sparkling clean. Each recipe is easy to make and uses natural ingredients that are gentle on your deck and the environment.

With just a little elbow grease, you’ll have a beautifully clean deck that’s ready for all your outdoor activities. So why not try out one of these recipes today and see the difference for yourself? Your deck will thank you!

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Last Updated:

July 2, 2025

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One Comment

  1. I’ve always been a little nervous about using store-bought deck cleaners because of the chemicals, so I love the idea of making my own. I’ve tried the baking soda and vinegar trick inside the house but never thought to use it outside!

    One thing I like to do is add a few drops of essential oil like tea tree or lemon to the cleaning mix, especially for moldy spots. It smells good and seems to help a bit with mildew too. Also, totally agree on moving the planters around. I learned that the hard way after my deck got some weird circles lol!

    Bookmarking this for my next cleaning day! Anyone have suggestions for getting rid of old paint splatters on wood decks? That’s my next project…