Your yard or outdoor space should be an extension of the interior; a place you can relax and enjoy every single day. That’s why it makes total sense to build or update you deck. Decking not only provides a neat, peaceful place to retreat, it also boosts the value of your home substantially. In truth, a deck will make any space more beautiful and serene.
But while decks are a great addition to any garden or yard, they also require some cleaning and maintenance to ensure the decking looks great and lasts longer. In the UK, wood is the most popular type of decking.
However, other materials are catching up including plastic, composite, and aluminium decking. But no matter what material your deck is made up of, no one wants to hose and scrub decks and patios all day.
This is where the best decking cleaner comes to the rescue. Typically applied through a sprayer, decking cleaners are designed to remove dirt, blemishes, and other unwanted materials from the surface of a deck.
These unwanted materials include oxidation patches, algae, fungus, lichen, moss, and weather stains. Depending on what material your deck is made up of, decking cleaners come in a wide range of concentrations that may or may not need dilution prior to the application.
We’ve gone through bottles of decking cleaners to find the best and most efficient ones – as well as some key features to watch out for. For instance, oxygenated deck cleaners have grown in popularity over the years because they contain an environmentally friendlier bleach called sodium per-carbonate.
Similarly, it helps to go for a biodegradable decking cleaner to make sure you don’t wash off lingering chemicals into your garden.
The Best Decking Cleaner Reviews
I’ve rounded up some of the best decking cleaners in the UK that will have your deck, patio, sheds, roofs, and even driveways looking gorgeous for years.
1. Jarder Spray & Leave 4 x 5 Litre Concentrate Cleaner Review
There’s a reason why this might just be the best decking cleaner in the UK. Offering home owners the ability to clean their decks without pressure washing or scrubbing, the Jarder Spray & Leave Concentrate Cleaner is hands down the most convenient option for cleaning all hard surfaces. This includes decking, fencing, roofs, driveways, caravans, boats, paths, and other surfaces affected by algae and moss.
The cleaner is incredibly concentrated; one 5 litre bottle is enough to make a minimum of 30 litres of solution that can cover 240 square metres. The cleaner penetrates hard surfaces and creates an invisible barrier that prevents regrowth of moss and algae. Once treated, results will show in a matter of days. Jarder Spray and Leave is fully biodegradable, and contains zero acids and bleach.
What I like about it:
- No scrubbing or washing – just spray and leave
- Super strength concentrate with 50% more active ingredients
- Ideal for use on all hard surfaces
2. Ronseal DC Decking Cleaner Review
Here’s a decking cleaner with a specific purpose. The Ronseal DC Decking Cleaner is purposefully designed to be used on wood before application of other treatments such as preserves and oils. That’s because the cleaner opens up pores of the wood in your decking for maximum absorption and adhesion of coatings.
In addition to helping create a lasting finish, Ronseal DC Decking Cleaner cleans away mildew, dirt, algae, and other stains. The cleaner can be applied with a brush, watering can, or garden sprayer and then rinsed off afterwards. One 5 litre bottle is enough to clean a 24 square metre area.
What I like about it:
- Designed for cleaning wood before treatments
- Affordable price range
- Also removes grease and fungus
3. Rustin Decking Cleaner 4 Litre Review
There are times when your deck needs a good scrubbing. If you’ve got a buildup of dirt and damage on the surface of your deck, then you could use the Rustin Decking Cleaner. This cleaner is based on a unique blend of special cleaning agents designed to remove dirt, grease, algae and mildew.
But that’s not all the cleaner from Rustins does. It’s also formulated for reviving weathered outdoor decking. For a 4 litre bottle, the price range is also quite budget friendly. One bottle is enough to clean an area of about 25 square metres. After application with a broom, brush or spray can, the surface will need to be hosed or scrubbed and allowed 24 hours to dry before other applications.
What I like about it:
- Contains special blend of cleaning agents
- Ideal for working with deck scrubbers
- Also cleans fences, cladding, and any exterior woodwork
4. Jeyes Decking Power Cleaner Review
It’s highly recommended that you oil or restain your decking at least once a year. Not only does this ensure it looks good, but that it’s also protected against the elements. But first, you need a clean deck before you can apply any other treatment.
The Jeyes Decking Power Cleaner is a special formulated designed to clear grease, algae, and all forms of dirt. With foam lifting action and a disinfectant, the cleaner kills 99.9% germs and guarantees long lasting results. Whether you are cleaning wooden patios or brick and block paths, the Jeyes Decking Power Cleaner is an efficient solution.
What I like about it:
- Powerful and efficient decking cleaner
- Includes foam lifting action for a thorough clean
- Disinfects and prevents regrowth of algae
5. Pro-Kleen Spray and Walk Away Review
This is among one of the simplest decking cleaners to use on the entire list. With absolutely no need to rinse or scrub after application the Pro-Kleen Spray and Walk Away is the ultimate solution for cleaning all indoor and outdoor surfaces. This includes roofs, windows, driveways, boats, caravans, pvc windows, sheds, and decking.
The growth of algae and moss on decking not only detracts from the appeal of your garden; it can also get dangerous during cold months when patios and decks become super slippery. The Spray and Walk Away cleaner from Pro-Kleen is a powerful, concentrated formula that removes mould, algae and blemishes from hard surfaces. As a bonus, the cleaner contains no acid, no bleach, and is fully biodegradable.
What I like about it:
- No scrubbing; just spray and walk away
- Safe for children and pets
- Contains several more active ingredients
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to use decking cleaner?
- First of all, give your decking a thorough clean. Scrape off any large areas of moss or mould, then take a stiff bristled brush to the decking, making sure to get right into the grooves. You can use a pressure washer for this if you have one.
- Take your chosen decking cleaner and apply it to the decking with a watering can. Scrub the deck straight after with a brush or broom, once again getting it right into the grooves.
- Leave it to stand for at least 15 minutes to work its way into the grain.
- Rinse the decking, using either a watering can filled with clean water, a hose or a pressure washer.
- Allow at least two days for the decking to dry out thoroughly before you apply any stain or paint.
Q: How does decking cleaner work?
Decking cleaner is not a detergent as such; not like the type you use to wash your dishes, but it does contain cleaning agents. You can get decking cleaners that use oxygen to clean, the bubbles creating a fizzing effect that lifts dirt and grime.
Some decking cleaners do contain a percentage of bleach – although it is an effective cleaner, this type of decking cleaner is not recommended as it is toxic to the environment. You can even make your own decking cleaner, using a mixture of water and washing powder!
Q: Where to buy decking cleaner?
The vast majority of large hardware stores will stock a wide range of decking cleaners, so you can select the one that suits your needs the best. You will probably also be able to find a selection at smaller hardware stores, meaning that you won’t have to travel as far.
If you prefer to do your shopping from home then the internet will show you a huge array of products for cleaning your decking – just take your pick!
