Revitalizing Your Deck

Decks and patios take a great deal of abuse from outdoor elements such as snow, rain, hail and leaves. Nothing can be worse than entertaining friends or having family dinners on a dirty deck, particularly when there are simple ways of cleaning a deck or patio that require basic techniques.

Many individuals trust in using a power washer for cleaning wooden decks. Nonetheless, this can harm the wood and produce erosion. The best way to begin is by gathering some hand tools, which include a scrub brush on a pole, toilet brush, broom and hand scrub brush. Additionally, you will need a bucket, oxygen bleach, water, measuring cup and hand pump sprayer. After you have collected your materials, remove all outdoor furniture, grills, plants and everything else you keep on your patio. Cleaning any grease spots that may have collected under or around grills is a great place to start. Mix liquid detergent to cut through the grease with very hot water. Scrub the exterior firmly, though softly enough as to not harm the surface. Let the moisture evaporate, and then brush off the deck and patio.

Next, mix six ounces of bleach for every one-gallon of water. Oxygen bleach is harmless for surrounding plants and flowers. Still, you can locate more eco-friendly cleaning agents in most health food shops. The bleach will restore the deck or patio back to the full splendor of its original color. Also, the ions produced in the bleach and water will eradicate mildew and unlock wood's pores. This step is very vital if you want to use a sealer on you patio following cleaning. Once you have waited several minutes for the bleach to dissolve into the water, you are now ready to apply the mixture onto the deck. Start by pouring the liquid over your deck. In several minutes you will start to notice your wood's natural color appear.

After that, spray your deck with water from a hand pump sprayer. You can easily execute this project alone or with the help of a friend or family member. While you are spraying, have the other person scrubbing with brushes or spray specific areas and scrub before the mixture evaporates. The brushes should scrub soil and grime away within minutes. Finally, take a hose and spray off the deck or patio. You will be amazed at the difference a little bleach and elbow grease can make when cleaning your patio.

Decorate your decks and patios as an extension of your home. You can make them more warm, inviting, fanciful or any special style you enjoy. Picking brightly-colored fabrics for furniture is ideal for those who want their decks to stand out or match planted flora. You may want to use a specific color of flowers to harmonize with the color design you are using. It is important to remember to have the fabrics treated to protect them during rain. Also, be sure to offer sufficient seating for visitors and family members. Including benches with storage space will give you more places to sit and allow you to store outdoor entertainment items. You may want to mix and match patterns, but remember to pick cushions and pillows that have the same unifying theme. Maintaining and designing your deck and patio will offer you an added leisure space for enjoying friends and the outdoors.