How To Clean A Dirty Stained Deck

Each autumn, leaves fall from above to signal the changing of the seasons. But if you've got a wood deck, the leaves also signal trouble ahead. As leaves, pine needles and other tree-canopy debris accumulate on the deck, they begin to decompose and leach acidic tannins that stain wood surfaces with blackish spots, streaks,and silhouettes.

Leaf stains can be difficult to remove and you'll probably need to try a few different cleaning solutions to find one that works. If the deck is well stained and sealed, the stains will clean off more easily. However, if the deck boards have a worn-out finish and porous surface, the stains will soak in deeper and be harder to remove.

Ultimately though, success is dependent on how quickly you act: If the leaves are left on the deck for weeks or months, the stains will be well set and very tough to remove. If the stains are relatively recent, you should be able to scrub them off without much trouble. And if you are diligent and remove the fallen leaves right away, you may avoid staining altogether.

Described below are five different ways to clean leaf stains off wood decks (and concrete surfaces, too). Always start with the simplest, least caustic method. If that doesn't work, move on to something a bit more aggressive.

💡Be sure to wear rubber gloves and eye goggles when using any cleaning solution.

Deck and Fence Wash (1 Gallon)

Clear Ammonia Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Soap and Water

Mix one cup of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent in a bucket of warm water. Pour the mixture onto the stained decking, and allow it to soak into the wood for about 15 minutes. Then use a stiff-bristle nylon brush to scrub the stains from the surface. Rinse with clean water and repeat, if necessary.

Ammonia

If the soap-and-water mixture doesn't remove the leaf stains, make a slightly stronger cleaner: Add one gallon of water to a bucket, then pour in one cup of ammonia. Wait 10 minutes, and scrub away the stains with a stiff-bristle nylon brush.

Bleach

Stubborn leaf stains can often be removed with bleach. However, instead of using chlorine bleach, try oxygen bleach, which doesn't dry as quickly so it does a better job of lightening stains and killing mold and mildew. Plus, oxygen bleach won't bleach the color out of your clothing.

Start by mixing one cup of oxygen bleach in one gallon of warm water. Pour the solution onto the stains, wait 10 minutes, then scrub the surface clean. If the leaf stains are lightened, but still visible, repeat with a second scrubbing or mix a stronger solution: Add two cups of oxygen bleach to one gallon of water, then soak and scrub away the stains.

Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP)

TSP is a powerful—but safe to use—all-purpose cleaner that's readily available at hardware stores and home centers. Into a bucket add: three quarts of warm water, one cup of bleach (chlorine or oxygen) and one cup of TSP. Mix well, pour onto the stains, wait 20 minutes, then scrub with a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse the surface with plenty of clean water and check the stains. Repeat, if necessary.

Commercial Deck and Fence Cleaner

When all else fails, try removing leaf stains with a commercially available deck-and-fence cleaner. Mix and apply the cleaner, as recommended by the manufacturer, then scrub the surface clean. Note that some cleaners recommend using a pressure washer, which is fine, but be very careful not to damage or etch the wood decking. Use a wide fan-spray tip and stay at least 10 inches away from the surface.

Joseph Truini Joe is a former carpenter and cabinetmaker who writes extensively about remodeling, woodworking, and tool techniques.

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