There’s no denying that composite board products like Trex have revolutionized decking and even fencing. They don’t warp or rot, insects have no interest in them, and they never need to be painted or stained. However, just because Trex decking is low maintenance, which doesn’t mean that it’s maintenance-free.
If you’ve been wondering how to clean Trex decking, read on. We’re going to explain exactly what you need to know.
What Is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is a manufactured deck board product that is made from a variety of materials. It’s designed to be strong like wood, and to look like wood (there are embossed, colored products now that are hard to distinguish from real wood.) But unlike wood, they don’t warp, rot or splinter, and they aren’t attractive to insects that eat wood.
Composite decking is usually more expensive than wooden decking, but it has a longer lifespan, and during that time, it needs very little maintenance – whereas wooden decks regularly need to be sanded, stained and repaired.
Always Review Manufacturer’s Information
The first thing you need to know about a product like Trex is that you should always review the manufacturer’s information when you’re figuring out how to clean Trex decking. Different types of boards need different types of care, and there might be some chemicals and products that you cannot use on your Trex decking.
This is very important because products like Trex have a manufacturer’s warranty, but it will usually be void if you do anything that is specifically excluded according to the terms of the warranty. So if you use the wrong products and methods to clean a Trex deck and the product fails, you won’t be able to make any claims for repairs or replacement.
Ordinary Trex Decking Cleaning
In most cases, all you will need to do with your Trex decking is give it a very quick cleaning in the spring and fall, to remove dirt and debris.
All you will need to do this is a hose, a soft-bristled broom, and a little mild detergent, like Dawn.
Hose the deck boards, brush them with the broom, and use Dawn to loosen any stubborn dirt on the surface of the boards. Then rinse again, and you’re done.
Unlike wooden decking, Trex boards don’t absorb dirt and grime, and they don’t have the same kind of deep grooves. So it’s actually a lot quicker and easier to do a semiannual clean of your deck.
Cleaning Grease Off Trex Decking
If you cook and entertain on your deck, there’s always a chance that you will drop something greasy onto the deck. You should approach this the same way you would your hardwood floors in your home – clean it up immediately!
The surface of Trex boards is designed to repel grease, provided it is cleaned immediately. In fact, the product warranty states that any grease stains that are not cleaned within 7 days of occurrence are not covered by the warranty.
So the grease won’t stain unless you leave it, and if you do leave it, you can’t make a warranty claim.
Sweeping and Leaf Blowing
Obviously, being outside, decks get dirty from all sorts of things from dust in the air to falling leaves and bird droppings. Like any product, if you leave these things in one place long enough, they might leave stains that you might not be able to remove.
So an important note in this guide to how to clean composite decking is that you should always clean any accumulated debris off the deck every few days. You can use a broom to do this, or a leaf blower if you have lots of leaves or flowers from trees near the deck.
The combination of decaying organic matter and moisture is not good for any surface, and that includes Trex decking!
Pressure Washing Trex Decking
If you have a pressure washer, you might be wondering if you can use it to clean your deck. The answer is yes, but with a few exceptions.
The first thing you need to know about pressure washers as a solution to the question of how to clean Trex decking is that you should always check the manufacturer’s documentation to make sure you’re not using a pressure washer that’s too powerful. Usually, the maximum PSI for cleaning composite decking is about 3100, but as always, refer to the manufacturer’s documentation.
You can use a commercial pressure washer soap product first (provided it meets the manufacturer’s guidelines) and then simply spray away dirt and grime. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to clean a Trex deck, so if you can use this method, it’s a great choice.
Call a Professional
If you don’t have a pressure washer and you’re not looking forward to cleaning your Trex decking with a broom and hose twice a year, there is another answer to the question of how to clean composite decking.
Outdoor home cleaning specialists have the right equipment to clean this kind of decking, and they have the right kind of gentle cleaning products that won’t damage the surface.
They’ll get your deck clean and ready for the summer, and they will make sure you keep your warranty on your deck.
So if you were wondering how to clean Trex decking without too much effort, this might be exactly the solution you were looking for!
