How To Clean Composite Decking

Composite decking brings a range of benefits to any garden or outdoor space. It’s stylish, durable, and low-maintenance. Unlike other decking materials, you don’t need to worry about sealing, staining, or repainting your composite decking boards to protect and refresh them.

Whether your deck is built from our black composite decking, features warm and welcoming brown composite decking boards, or embraces the contemporary edge of grey composite decking, it will stand the test of time.

However, to get the most out of your decking area, it’s worth carrying out the occasional clean. With a cleaning routine in place, you can keep your decking looking its best for longer. Our guide is here to walk you through how to clean composite decking boards in a few simple steps.

Read on for all you need to know about keeping your decking in top condition, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

How Often Should You Clean Composite Decking Boards?

If you’re thinking about installing composite decking but are concerned about the level of upkeep, don’t worry. You won’t need to be carrying out a deep clean every week.

Our HR Dek 140 and HR Dual Dek composite decking boards are made from a combination of wood fibre and thermoplastic materials, creating a hard-wearing material that is stain and rot-resistant.

With this in mind, we generally recommend giving your composite decking boards a full clean every six months or so. In between, you can simply sweep away debris and spot-clean any dirt or stains using warm water and a mild soap solution. This should be enough to keep your deck looking tidy and cared for.

How To Clean Composite Decking: A Step-by-Step Guide

When the time comes to clean your decking, you don’t need any extravagant products. We recommend gathering:

• A sturdy outdoor broom with soft bristles
• A pressure washer as we’ll explain, you need to use this with care
• A bowl of warm, soapy water
• A clean cloth
• A small, clean, soft-bristled brush
• A hose pipe or bucket of clean water

Step 1: Brush Away Any Debris

You can’t clean your composite deck when it’s covered in leaves, loose dirt, and debris. Start the process by moving any furniture and objects off of your decking area. Then use your broom to sweep away anything littering the surface. This will give you a clean slate to get started with.

Step 2: Use A Pressure Washer

A jet (or pressure) washer is the fastest way to clean your deck thoroughly. However, it’s important to use a low-pressure setting, this will effectively blast away any stubborn dirt without chipping or damaging the composite decking boards. You can always test the pressure on a hidden part of your decking before you jet wash the whole thing.

It’s best to use broad sweeping motions for an even clean, and if you have ridged composite decking, move the water jet in the direction of the grooves.

If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can move straight on to the next step and still get a great clean! Likewise, if you have used a jet washer to clean your composite decking, we also suggest carrying out the next step to tackle any stubborn areas of dirt.

Step 3: Clean With Mild Soapy Water

You can find plenty of composite decking cleaning products on the market. If you decide to use a specialist product, make sure it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. It’s essential that you read any labels carefully to ensure you apply the solution properly, particularly if it needs diluting.

Another option is to create your own cleaning solution — all you need is a bucket of warm water mixed with mild dish soap. Use a small, soft-bristled brush to gently scrub over the surface of your decking boards.

You can use this solution to spot-clean if you’ve just completed step two. It’s also a helpful technique for cleaning your composite sides, trims, and fascia boards.

Step 4: Get In The Groove

Pay special attention to any grooves, ridges, and corners, as these are where dirt is most likely to build up. Apply gentle pressure with the brush, just enough to lift any mud or grime.

Step 5: Remove Any Stains

Composite decking is stain-resistant, so removing any marks as and when you spot them is easy. If Step 4 doesn’t lift them, you can use a more powerful solution.

For this, apply white vinegar, baking soda, and water to the affected area so it creates a paste. Leave it for a few minutes and then scrub the solution away. Rinse it with fresh water, and your composite deck should be as good as new.

Step 6: Rinse Away

All that’s left to do now is rinse away any soapy residue from your decking. You can use a hose pipe, your jet washer on a low setting, or a bucket of clean water.

Cleaning Composite Decking: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Composite Decking Easier To Clean Than Timber Decking?

Yes, composite decking boards typically need a lot less upkeep than timber alternatives. A simple brush, scrub, and rinse will do the trick, whereas wooden decking requires treating, staining, and oiling to keep it in good condition.

Learn more about the differences between composite and timber decking boards.

Do You Need to Dry Composite Decking After Cleaning It?

If your composite decking is from our range, it will come with a non-slip waterproof surface, so there’s no need to actively dry it after washing.

All you need to do is put any furniture back where it belongs, give it time to dry in the sunshine, and put your feet up in the meantime.

What Not To Use On Composite Decking?

Composite decking has an incredibly strong protective layer, making it weather-resistant. Using abrasive cleaners and anything containing bleach, chlorine, and other harsh chemicals can break down this layer, increasing the risk of damage to your composite deck.

As such, we recommend sticking with soapy water or cleaning products designed specifically for composite decking. You should also avoid using metal tools, as this can scrape and scratch the deck’s surface.

How Do You Make Composite Decking Look New Again?

Composite decking is low-maintenance by nature and can last anywhere from 25 to 40 years when properly maintained. However, this doesn’t mean it won’t be affected by general wear and tear over time.

Cleaning your deck with our steps outlined above should return your composite decking to its former glory.

For more advice on keeping your decking as good as new, take a look at our guide on how to care for composite decking.

Update Your Garden With Composite Decking

Not only does composite decking refresh and update your outdoor space, but it’s also easy to care for.

Now you know how to clean composite decking in a few quick steps, take a look at our full range to find the ideal design for your garden. We stock 2.4m composite decking and 4m composite decking boards, along with all the accessories you need to create a stand-out deck where you can relax and entertain.

Order a free composite decking sample today and experience the high quality for yourself.