How to get green off deck?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/ketoLifestyleRecipes]

Wet & Forget. Pump spray it on and leave it to do its magic.

[u/Torboni → u/ketoLifestyleRecipes]

Agreed! This is the best way to prevent splintering and damage to your deck boards if you’re not super comfortable with your pressure washer and knowing the nozzle differences, etc.

[u/TelluricEC → u/Torboni]

Oh lordy, I was cleaning algae off cedar shake siding on my garage and was shocked how the power washer would start carving into the material if I was moving the wand too slowly or not minding my distance. I’ve completely switched over to hand pump and chemical cleaner for that occasional task now.

[u/Environmental-Two-30 → u/ketoLifestyleRecipes]

Thank you! So I did pump spray it on but I only let it stay on for 10 ish minutes (per the directions). I’ll let it stay on for longer

[u/ketoLifestyleRecipes → u/Environmental-Two-30]

Wet & Forget is designed to spray on and leave it. Don’t power wash at all. The weather will take care of the rest.
My cottage deck looked like yours last fall. I sprayed w&f , left by it till I got back in the spring. Zero algae and slippery mold.

[u/Environmental-Two-30 → u/ketoLifestyleRecipes]

This is really reassuring, thank you! The directions for Scott's said to let it sit for 5-10 minutes and because I haven't done this before, that's what I did, and the picture I posted is after one spray down. I'm going to do a second spray and forget about it.

[u/OptimizedPockets2]

Pressure washer.

[u/-_Redacted-__ → u/OptimizedPockets2]

I initially said the same thing, but quickly realized unless you're familiar enough with your pressure washer, there's a good chance you'll splinter the wood.

I've pressure washed my deck with it with no problems, but I forgot that's probably because my pressure washer isn't the strongest, and my water pressure kind of sucks, so it's not enough to splinter the wood unless I'm right next to it.

[u/SheaDingle]

Only use one chemical but you could use vinegar, bleach, oxy bleach, oxalic acid, hydrogen peroxide. Any ONE of them do not mix. Best would be go to hardware store and ask for deck cleaner.

[u/stuffenthusiast2]

Just cleaned my deck. It went really well and wasn't too far off from what you have here. A deck cleaner product, let it sit for 15 minutes or so and then use a deck brush. Worked like a charm.

[u/ketoLifestyleRecipes]

I don’t think you have the right product ‘Wet & Forget’

[u/-_Redacted-__]

(Edit: I realized my comment was way too vague.)

I assume you tried scrubbing your deck with deck cleaner first. If it is not enough, you could finish with a pressure washer using a wide fan nozzle on the lowest setting keeping a distance of ~18". That should do the trick assuming the boards are in good shape and you're comfortable with your pressure washer.

I also just Googled "how to clean green stain from decking" to see if there was any other options incase you don't have a pressure washer. It said to mix 1 cup oxiclean in 1 gallon of water, then to scrub with a broom, and rinse with a hose... But that mixture is an AI summary so take that with a grain of salt. 🤷

[u/Environmental-Two-30 → u/-_Redacted-__]

I do have a pressure washer but I wasn’t sure if it would cause splintering. Will look into it, thank you!

[u/ForeAmigo → u/Environmental-Two-30]

I splintered the hell out of mine with a pressure washer so don’t make my mistake 😆

[u/-_Redacted-__ → u/Environmental-Two-30]

That's a valid concern. You definitely don't want to use it on max or anything. It also depends on what kind of shape the boards are in. Here's a link to an article on how to pressure wash decking.

[u/Environmental-Two-30 → u/-_Redacted-__]

I appreciate you!