Outdoor wooden deck with handrails
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Ditch Cleaning Your Wooden Deck With Chlorine Bleach And Use This Instead
By WILL FORD
Chlorine bleach can damage the porous surface of wood over time, causing discoloration or cracking. Instead, opt for a simpler and gentler option: baking soda and vinegar.
Vinegar is a versatile natural acid that cuts through dirt, grease, grime, and mildew. Dilute it in water and use it to gently clean sealed or finished desk surfaces.
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that can help scrub away stubborn stains. Combine this base with vinegar to release carbon dioxide gas, which can help loosen and lift stains.
Sweep the surface and wet it with water, then combine ¼ cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of baking soda, and one gallon of water. Stir and allow the fizzing to subside before starting.
You can also sprinkle the baking soda over the tougher stains on the deck, limiting the chemical reaction to the surface of the desk instead.
Pour the solution over your deck and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen any deep stains. Using a long scrub brush, scrub with the grain over the wood grooves and rinse.