5 Tips For Cleaning Composite Decking

Composite decking is more expensive than it's timber counterpart, but for several good reasons. The manufacturing process consists of recycled plastic and wood to create a composite and hence the name. A coating can be fused around the decking, often referred to as 'capped' and is commonly placed around three sides of the deck. Some manufacturers seal the board entirely for premium protection such as composite decking available from Fix Direct

This process creates a decking board that requires very little maintenance, is stain and fade resistant and can often outlast timber decking. Additionally, no varnish or stain needs to be purchased, making composite decking a great investment and time saver. Below we look at five simple ways to ensure your composite decking stays looking great - the right way.

1. Don't bleach!

It is generally advised not to use bleach partly due to corrosive properties and partly due to the inefficiency of bleach on porous materials. Uncapped composite decking is porous and although capped composite decking is significantly more resistant, generally it's not a good candidate for bleach. Instead, wash your decking down with simple soap and water (or a specialist composite deck cleaning product) at least twice a year and if needed purchase a compatible mould inhibitor to aid protection.

2. Get rid of debris

It's important to keep your composite decking clean, so another tip is to remove debris on a regular basis. Use a soft hand brush to loosen dirt and then a soft deck brush to remove it all. Always brush in the direction of the wood grain to avoid any potential damage. To get your decking squeaky clean, use a leaf blower or hoover to eliminate smaller particles that are left behind and may be sitting between the boards.

3. Wash it regularly

As mentioned in tip 1, it's important to wash your composite decking down at least two times a year and in some climates more regularly. This can be done with some soapy warm water and a soft deck brush. Be very careful if opting for a pressure washer. It is recommended to keep the washer at least 30cm away from the board and use a pressure that does not exceed 2500 psi. It is usually safer to use a hand-pump sprayer instead.

4. Avoid shovels and sandpaper

Never use sharp-edged garden tools on your decking to avoid scratching, no matter how tempting it might be to remove a mass of snow and ice. Instead, try either plastic equivalents such as this wide plastic shovel from Viking Direct along with some rock salt to get rid of thick snow. If there is just a covering, a leaf blower may well suffice.

5. Clean up oil and grease - quickly!

Oil and grease are not friends of composite decking, so ensure they are removed promptly, ideally using a simple mix of soap and warm water. This also applies to other types of spoilage such as bird droppings and red wine.

So there you have it, five useful tips to make sure you can keep your composite decking looking great for years to come.

Anisha Chauhan is a product marketing expert at Fix Direct. Find out more about our composite decking by visiting Fix Direct