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Start by clearing away debris and scrubbing the area with a brush designed for composite decking. Saturate the area with diluted cleaner and scrub thoroughly. Work in the morning or evening to avoid the afternoon sun, which may cause the cleaner to evaporate too quickly.
1. Remove Dirt and Debris
Composite decks are great for outdoor entertaining or simply relaxing but over time they can become dirty and dingy. Regular cleaning with warm soapy water is essential to avoid serious surface stains.
Begin by sweeping to remove loose dirt, leaves and debris. If necessary, a blower can help to get rid of any dirt stuck in between the composite boards.
Next, use a soft brush and a mixture of warm water and soap to scrub away any visible dirt, mildew or mould. Be sure to scrub each area in small sections, as a hard bristled brush could leave marks on the composite surface. If a scrubbing pad is not available, a dry paper towel will do just fine.
If the composite is particularly dingy, try using some acetone to break down dry acrylic paint on your brush. Learn how to clean composite brushes with our step-by-step guide right here for efficient maintenance.
2. Dilute Your Cleaner
Just like your natural teeth, composite bonding can become stained or discoloured over time. To avoid this, it’s important to properly clean your composite bonding.
For best results, use a cleaner that is specifically designed for your composite deck material. If you’re using TimberTech capped composite or capped polymer, for example, use the TimberTech DeckCleaner.
Saturate the first section you’ll be cleaning with the diluted cleaner, then gently scrub. Work in the morning or evening to avoid the afternoon sun, which can cause the cleaner to evaporate too quickly.
For best results, you should always rinse the cleaned area with water before applying a finish. This will help prevent streaking and ensure that all stains are removed.
3. Apply Your Cleaner
Composite decks are designed to be low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean they can’t develop issues like stains and mildew. Regular cleaning and care can help prevent these issues from developing.
For most cleaning jobs, you can use a simple solution of warm water and soap. This is safe for most composites and usually effective in removing most surface stains.
However, if you’re having trouble with stubborn stains or food and drink stains, you can try a more powerful cleaner like TimberTech DeckCleaner. These products can often be used without damaging the composite, but they’re best used with a scrub brush to minimize scratching.
4. Remove Debris
Composite decking is designed to be low maintenance but debris can still accumulate on it and cause stains. It is important to remove as much dirt and debris as possible with a broom or leaf blower before cleaning a composite deck. This should be done weekly to prevent a buildup of debris and serious stains.
If liquid spills occur, try to wipe them up with a paper towel as soon as they happen. This should stop the liquid from soaking into the composite boards and turning into a permanent stain. Grease stains are also common on composite surfaces and should be blotted as quickly as possible with the paper towel method or the simple soap and water technique.
Once you are ready to clean the deck, prepare a bucket of warm soapy water. Dunk a long-handled brush in the bucket and begin scrubbing.
5. Rinse
Brushes that are not rinsed quickly and correctly can dry, causing the bristles to lose their shape. This makes them much harder to clean and may require harsher treatment to get them looking fresh again.
Using these tips will help you keep your composite bonding looking like new for years to come. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help prevent damage and staining of the tooth, allowing it to remain bright and attractive for your smile.
