City dwellers who are lucky enough to have even an inch of outdoor space to enjoy belong to a very specific, highly fortuitous group.
Whether renters or part of the even more exclusive homeowners club, those with balconies or gardens attached to their houses and flats work to transform them over the winter so that they can serve as a summertime haven for friends and family to relax in.
This means removing pesky weeds from between eroding tiles, planting gorgeous perennials, repotting withered greenery that likely wasn’t supposed to be outdoors during frosty autumn evenings, and setting up weather-proof fairy lights for warmer evenings ahead.
Some keen gardeners might even notice that underneath oodles of green muck, there’s some old wooden decking that previous owners lovingly installed. That’s right, no matter what climate you live in, luminous green algae often grow on decking, transforming it from a chic, clean mud-free haven into a grimy, swampy mess. This means it’s time to brush up on your deck cleaning skills.
What is decking cleaner and how does it work?
According to Ronseal, there are two main types of decking cleaners which can be used when a standard jet wash doesn’t quite cut it. These cleaners both require the help of a decent scrubbing brush.
- Decking Cleaners and Revivers: prep new wood and clean up older decking by removing algae and mould. It can be used over stains and oils without damaging them.
- Decking Stripper: for stubborn stains, decking stripper removes any surface oils and strain. This is better suited for those who are planning to re-stain and finish their decking.
Why is it important to keep wooden decking spick and span?
Maintaining wooden decking is essential to ensuring its length lifespan. While decking is certainly weatherproof and can withstand year-round temperature changes, its aesthetic value will deplete drastically without proper care and attention.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best wooden decking cleaners on the market. Keep scrolling for a drastic improvement to your outdoor space.
Ronseal DC Decking Cleaner 5 Litre
With the tagline “does exactly what it says on the tin”, Ronseal’s Decking Cleaner is certainly beginner-proof. Designed to revive old wooden decking by removing pesky algae and mould without stripping it, one five-litre bottle is sufficient for cleaning a deck which is between 20-24 square metres.
A glance over customer-provided before and after photos will convince you of Ronseal’s power. With some elbow grease and the help of a power washer if needed, your wooden decking will look as good as new.
Buy now £12.50, Amazon
Stone Patio & Decking Cleaner 1L
A multi-purpose option for those looking to kill a few birds with one stone, this patio and decking cleaner by Victor Tools is a super-strength solution for your tired outdoor space. It works to remove dirt, grime and moss on brick, stone, patios and wood while employing a lasting antimicrobial effect which continues working after use. A one-litre bottle of the cleaning concentrate can make up to 10 litres of diluted cleaning solution.
Buy now £9.99, Coopers of Stortford
Karcher 5 L Canister Pressure Washer Detergent - Wood Cleaner
Perfect for those who happen to have a Karcher pressure washer on hand, this strong and intensive yet gentle-to-surface cleaning solution works great for stone and wooden patios alike. It can also be applied to surfaces with a bucket of water and a sponge, so long as it’s left to sit for a few hours before rinsing.
Buy now £25.73, Amazon
HG Weathered Wood Restorer
HG offers a fan-favourite, value-for-money demoulding solution which many city residents will be all too familiar with. This weathered wood restorer, like its sister product, is tough on green mould and algae. It’ll make all your outdoor, wooden surfaces – furniture included – look spick and span with just a few spritzes, so you can joy spritzes of the Aperol variety on your lovely terrace in no time at all.
Buy now £6.76, Amazon
FurnitureClinic Decking Cleaner 5L
This prep decking cleaner from FurnitureClinic has been formulated to remove dirt, grease and green stains before oiling. Pour the product directly into a watering can before pouring it over your decking, scrubbing with an outdoor broom and rinsing with a hosepipe after a few hours have passed. Then, nourish your freshly cleaned wood with a decking oil.
Buy now £19.95, Amazon
Osmo Wood Reviver Power Gel 2.5L
This powerful reviver has a thick, non-drip gel consistency and comes with a handy scrubbing brush. It has been specially formulated to restore wooden decking back to its original colour following years of UV exposure. Like a magic eraser, you’ll be amazed by how quickly and efficiently this brilliant cleaning solution brings new life to old wood.
Osmo recommends following up with the brand’s UV protection oil to prevent sun rays from breaking down lignin in the wood in the future, so that its pristine colour lasts for longer.
Buy now £46.37, B&Q
Pro-Kleen Patio Cleaner
Lazy gardeners rejoice, for Pro-Kleen’s patio cleaner doesn’t require any painful elbow grease, just “spray and walk away”. Safe to use on outdoor surfaces including patios, fencing, roofs, driveways, sheds, decking and more, this cleaner has been specially formulated to remove green mould and algae with ease while preventing regrowth for up to six months.
Simply mix one litre of the concentrate with four litres of water (or use a standard 1:4 ratio if you need less) and spray on the surface in question with a watering can or pressure cleaner. For severe cases of mould, you can spray the concentrate directly onto the affected surface without diluting it.
Buy now £24.95, Amazon
One Chem - 5L + 5L One Chem Sprayer
This heavy-duty lichen cleaner has a surprisingly great value price tag. It comes with a handy five-litre sprayer, so you won’t need to rent or purchase a pricey jet washer to enjoy the full effects. Dilute with a 4:1 ratio and enjoy up to 25 litres of product.
Buy now £23.99, Amazon
Glean Green Clean Algae Remover
Safe and eco-friendly, Glean’s algae remover doesn’t require dilution and a single one-litre spray bottle can cover up to 10 square metres of space. It doesn’t include sodium hypochlorite, making it suitable for homes with pets, plants and little ones running about. The best part? It doesn’t require any scrubbing or rinsing. Just spray, leave and watch the lichen disappear.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
