The best time to do your deck cleaning for the upcoming outdoor fun time is during a cloudy day. Deck cleaning and a little prep work needs to be performed before you do any staining. The warm sunny days should be left for relaxing and entertaining. You can also plant flowers, and fertilize the lawn on cloudy or overcast days.

Usually after the first few years of your decks life you will be able to see how the outdoor elements have taken their toll. Cleaning the deck is very important if you want your re-staining and finish work to last. If you use detergents or bleach as a means of cleaning the deck you could run the risk of raising the grain or bleaching the wood. These methods have been replaced by deck cleaning products that will clean the wood without bleaching it or raising the grain. If you are planning on using a pressure washer just remember no to hold it too close to the wood surface, you could damage the deck. Your deck should be cleaned as needed to remove any dirt, debris, or fallen leaves from the surface.

When you start removing any debris from between the boards be careful not to damage the wood. Most importantly try to remove all the dirt that has collected from the deck. Some of the leaves that fall can stain your deck and they will collect moisture which could lead to mold or mildew problems. It is a good idea to sweep the deck regularly so problems will not happen plus it keeps the deck looking new.

One of the reasons we need to replace areas of the deck is dry rot. Dry rot is a fungus that enjoys wood and it will lead to a quick deterioration. Once it has set in, it is possible that this condition can lead to a wood termite invasion. A combination of dry rot and wood termites will destroy a deck fast and could attact the wood structures of you home. The wood needs to be wet in order for dry rot to set in but sealing the wood from any moisture will avoid the problem. This is the reason for cleaning between the boards because that is where the moisture will collect. .

Always take some safety precautions before you start on a deck cleaning project. You need to wear gloves, safety glasses, and old clothing such as long pants. Before starting, cover any area or objects you want to protect, give the plants that are around the perimeter of the deck a good watering, and water the deck.

If you are using a deck cleaner always start from the bottom and move up; this will reduce some streaking. You should always keep some water on the deck along with the deck cleaner; the cleaner and water combination needs to stand on the deck at least twenty minutes before rinsing. After you rinsed everything off the deck let it dry for at least 48 hours before you start to stain.

You should apply deck stain on a properly cleaned deck within thirty days. If you wait longer than that you should do a cleaning with water and bleach combination before deck staining. The best way to protect the investment of your deck is to stain it and protect it from moisture by applying a sealant. This not only protects the deck but will always look beautiful and it will be easy to maintain. Staining your deck is best done on a sunny day instead of a cloudy day.

About the Author:
Barbara her husband have a deck in their garden and most of the deck cleaning is done during cloudy days or early in the morning. Come visit the website Gardeners Garden Supplies for more ideas in the garden or landscaping.