How do I naturally clean my wood deck?
Mia Russell
Published Apr 16, 2026
To clean your deck, combine 1 cup vinegar with 1-gallon water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed wood and use the vinegar and warm water to scrub over all the boards. Borate is also a natural cleaner and versatile for indoor or outdoor cleaning. Use a ratio of one cup of Borax to one gallon of water.
What is the best way to clean wooden decking?
To avoid damaging your decking, create a gentle cleaning solution with warm water and liquid dish soap. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. Saturate the surface and scrub the deck with a stiff-bristled brush or sponge until the cleaning solution starts to lather.What can I use instead of deck cleaner?
Borax. Like baking soda and vinegar, borate is an all-purpose natural cleaner that is versatile around the house and yard. Using a ratio of one cup of Borax to one gallon of water, address small areas of your deck at a time, scrubbing with a brush to remove algae and mildew.Is vinegar safe for wood deck?
You can use white distilled vinegar and water to create an all natural cleaning solution for the deck. Vinegar is a good option as it will remove mildew, mold, and dirt on the wood.Can I clean my deck with dish soap?
Create a deck cleaning solution by mixing ¼ cup liquid dish soap with 1 gallon water. Use a stiff-bristled brush broom to scrub the deck with the cleaning solution. After you have thoroughly cleaned the stained deck, rinse it clean with a water hose.How To Clean A Wood Deck - The Easy Way
Can you use Murphy's Oil soap on a deck?
Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water. Simply mix 1 gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of ammonia-free dish soap (such as Murphy's), 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and 1 quart of oxygen bleach.How can I make my own deck wash?
Add two cups of oxygen bleach to two gallons of water. Pour in 1/4 cup of dish detergent and mix until it suds. Use a broom or another large brush and cover the entire deck. Scrub where there is stubborn dirt and grime and then rinse off.
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Once a Year Cleaning
- Water.
- Powdered oxygen bleach.
- Liquid dish detergent.
Can you use baking soda and vinegar on wood?
Don't use vinegar or baking soda.Many DIY home cleaning solutions involve the use of vinegar or baking soda, but these are, in fact, the worst things you can apply to your wood floors. They actually damage and dull the polyurethane, which can irreparably ruin them.