How to Make a DIY Deck Cleaner for a Spotless Outdoor Space

Process of Make a DIY Deck Cleaner

Here’s a simple process to create an effective DIY deck cleaner that can help remove dirt, grime, and mildew, while also being safer for your deck and surrounding plants than commercial cleaners:

Step 1: Gather All Ingredients and Supplies

Warm Water

Warm water helps dissolve other ingredients more effectively and enhances the cleaning process. Warm water also makes it easier to mix in the baking soda and any other powders.

White Vinegar or Liquid Dish Soap

White Vinegar

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Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent known for its effectiveness against mildew and mild grime. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which make it ideal for outdoor spaces prone to mold and mildew.

Dish Soap

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If your deck has heavy dirt or grease buildup, opt for 1 cup of liquid dish soap. Dish soap cuts through grease more effectively than vinegar and helps lift away tough grime.

Baking Soda

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Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that helps to scrub away dirt and grime without scratching your deck’s surface. It also has natural deodorizing properties, which help to freshen up the deck.

Oxygen Bleach Powder

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Oxygen bleach powder is a color-safe, environmentally friendly bleach alternative that provides extra cleaning power. It’s especially useful if your deck has deep stains or heavy mildew buildup.

Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach won’t cause discoloration or damage to wood and is safe for surrounding plants and lawns.

Step 2: Prepare a Large Bucket for Mixing

Select a sturdy, large bucket to hold the 2 gallons of water and other ingredients. Make sure the bucket is large enough for stirring, as the solution will fizz slightly due to the baking soda, which can cause bubbling if the bucket is too small.

Step 3: Combine the Warm Water and Cleaner Ingredients

Start with Warm Water

Pour the 2 gallons of warm water into the bucket first. The warm water is essential for helping dissolve all ingredients and helps activate the cleaning properties of each component.

Add White Vinegar or Dish Soap

Measure out 1 cup of either white vinegar or dish soap. Pour it into the bucket with the water. Use a long spoon or stick to stir until the vinegar or soap is fully mixed with the water.

• • • • • If using vinegar, you may notice a slight smell at first, but this will dissipate as it cleans and as the deck dries.
        • If using dish soap, the mixture may become slightly sudsy, which is helpful for lifting away greasy spots.

Add Baking Soda

Slowly add 1 cup of baking soda to the solution. The baking soda will react slightly with the vinegar or soap, causing a bit of fizz. This fizzing is natural and adds to the cleaning power, helping to lift dirt from the surface.

Stir well to ensure that the baking soda dissolves fully in the water. Undissolved baking soda particles can settle at the bottom, so be sure to mix thoroughly.

Add Oxygen Bleach

If you’re dealing with stubborn stains or extensive mildew, add 1/4 cup of oxygen bleach powder. Oxygen bleach enhances the cleaning formula by adding stain-lifting power without the harshness of chlorine bleach.

Stir the mixture well, ensuring the oxygen bleach is fully dissolved. If you see any residue or particles, continue to mix until the solution is smooth and even.

Step 4: Stir the Solution Until Consistent

Use a long-handled stirring stick or spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly. Spend a few minutes stirring to make sure all ingredients dissolve and are evenly distributed. This will ensure that each part of the solution has the same cleaning strength.

Once you have a uniform, well-mixed solution, your DIY deck cleaner is ready. This cleaner is safe to use on wood, composite, or other deck materials and is an eco-friendly alternative to many commercial products.