A terrace is a great addition to any home, allowing its owner to enjoy nature more often. Unfortunately, because it is outside, the terrace is extremely susceptible to dirt and algae build-up. It is also worth noting that, contrary to popular belief, chlorine bleach is not a suitable product for cleaning wooden decks. To do this, you can use powdered oxygen bleach, which will not harm the wood and surrounding vegetation.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Surface Cleaning
Step 1. Remove all furniture from the terrace
During cleaning, the furniture will only interfere with you. Remove all flowerpots, chairs and tables from the terrace before starting cleaning.
Step 2. Sweep the terrace with a broom
Use a broom or broom to sweep away all dirt and dust from the terrace. Dry cleaning of the terrace will greatly simplify the subsequent removal of dirt and algae during wet cleaning. Sweep the entire deck with sweeping strokes until all debris and dust is removed.
Things like twigs, leaves and seeds can be removed with a blower. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner to clean up debris stuck between crevices
Step 3. Spray the deck with a hose to loosen the dirt
Spray your deck evenly with a garden hose. If you have a nozzle to increase the water pressure, make it not too high or too low. Adjust the nozzle so that the hose sprays water instead of pouring it out in a single stream. If you do not have an adjustable nozzle, press the hole in the end of the hose with your finger to achieve a similar effect.
Excessive water pressure can lead to stains on the terrace floor
Part 2 of 3: Removing Algae and Dirt
Step 1. Mix warm water and powdered oxygenated bleach in a bucket
Pour 8 liters of warm water into a 20 liter bucket. Add 2 cups (400 g) powdered oxygen bleach and stir the solution with a sponge or mop. Continue stirring the solution until the powder is dissolved.
- Remember to wear waterproof gloves when handling bleach. Waterproof pants are also worth considering.
- Mix the solution outside your home or in a well-ventilated area.
Step 2. Clean the deck with a mop or sponge
If you don't have a mop, use a large, porous sponge to wipe down the deck surface. Saturate the patio with the solution, and then start rubbing it into the wood until the solution starts to foam.
- Deck floor brushes are available at most hardware stores.
- Move carefully around the deck as the bleach solution will make it slippery.
Step 3. Leave the foamed solution on the deck for 5 minutes to allow the oxygenated bleach to absorb dirt and algae
The main thing is not to let the solution dry, otherwise it will leave a film on the surface of the wood.
Step 4. Rinse the terrace with water
Spray the terrace with a hose. If you don't have a hose, take a bucket of tap water and pour it out onto the deck. Be sure to rinse off all of the bleach solution before the deck dries.
Part 3 of 3: Removing mold and stains
Step 1. Prepare an oxygen bleach paste to clean your deck
If it is not necessary to completely clean the terrace, but you notice a large accumulation of algae or dirt, prepare a more concentrated paste from the bleach. Just mix some water with oxygen bleach powder and stir them with a spoon until a thick paste forms. Using a brush, apply the paste to the dirty areas of the terrace and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Step 2. Add borax to the cleaning mixture to remove mold
Pour a glass (200 g) borax into a bucket of bleach and water. Stir the solution while wearing gloves, and then apply it to the moldy areas.
Borax is a mineral compound that does not harm plants. You can usually find it in the household chemicals section of a grocery store, a hardware store, or a gardening store
Step 3. Do not use a washer or chlorine bleach to clean your patio
Washers can be too powerful and damage the wood. Use a water pressure nozzle or a weak sprayer instead of a washer. Never use chlorine bleach to clean your patio. Chlorine bleach is not only toxic to plants, but it can also discolor wood and destroy it from the inside out.