Cleaning a Deck with Oxygen Bleach

This video illustrates the basic process I commonly use when cleaning decks with "oxygen bleach." It can be done with a bucket and scrub brush, but I most often use it as shown here.
Oxygen bleach (a.k.a. sodium percarbonate, or hydrogen peroxide) is a good tool to have in your cleaning toolbox. It's not for EVERY job, but nothing is. That's why it's important to have a "toolbox" of cleaning options.
If you're looking to order cleaning chemicals in bulk - www.outsidecleaners.com/pro-shop
For more details on this process, please see this video: • HOW TO: Cleaning a Dec...
More info on my exterior cleaning services is available by the links below:
/ @outsidecleaners
www.outsidecleaners.com/
/ outsidecleanersllc
outsideclea...
Thanks for looking!

[@OutsideCleaners]

For folks wanting more details: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp7aXqFua7yirq8

[@mikedorosh4605]

Thx for the info.Did a great job..

[@shelbeastark9350]

I just used DeckBrite, after doing a light sanding with a palm sander. The difference was astounding. My balcony is over an asphalt driveway, so I pre-soaked with driveway BEFORE I started using the DeckBrite. (Other brighteners have damaged the sealcoating.) And I made sure I kept the driveway wet while I was working on the balcony wood. And then I rinsed the driveway for almost fifteen minutes. It turned out wonderfully.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Sweeeeet! Good doing. Yep, DeckBrite is one of the many oxygen bleach products out there. What kind of deck was it? I've had good success on Pressure Treated, Mahogany, Ipe, and plastic/composites. However, the newer P/T decks seem less receptive to cleaning in this manner than the older pressure treated decking does.

[@shelbeastark9350]

23-year old pressure treated. I will be staining (semi-solid) as soon as there are two consecutive dry days in a row.

[@carlpetticoffer1100]

shelbea stark I.

[@maliamarin5718]

thank you so excited to get started!

[@gregbennett8627]

Thank you for revealing this product.. Just curious what tip did you use to wash the deck ?..and at what pressure?.. thank you for your response

[@henryrandall9961]

Hey Outside Cleaners, I love your videos. I am cleaning a fence that has turned grey on friday. Can i use hydrogen peroxide, would that be the best way to clean it?

[@thadhoward]

THANKS 👍🏻

[@shaylebennett7310]

I did this yesterday with oxy clean and a scrub brush. I had cleaned it with a deck cleaner a month ago. This made my deck so clean i can now restrain it.

[@OutsideCleaners]

shayle bennett Good going!

[@electric1609]

How concentrated of a mix did you do with oxy clean? I tried it yesterday and it worked but I feel like I could have done a stronger solution

[@OutsideCleaners]

electric1609 Start with 1/2 cup powder per gallon of water. You can add more but it’s not always beneficial.

[@electric1609]

FYI for anyone who comes across this looking for recipes. My second time around, I just dumped one and a half mini tubs/jars of dollar tree oxiclean knockoff in a two gallon bucket and filled with hot water. Stirred up plenty to dissolve. It was nice and foamy and frothy at this point as these products also contain a percentage of detergent/surfactant. Pre-wet the deck, sloshed a bunch of the mix everywhere, scrubbed a ton, adding more when it felt like I needed it. Hosed down with more fresh water to revive the lather then a second all over scrubbing. Long story short, make a pretty concentrated solution because you aren't using pure sodium percarbonate (google searches seem to reveal that oxiclean contains about 60%), use plenty, give it plenty of time, water, scrubbing, and rinsing, and you'll get a pretty good result. Got rid of most of my grey and most of the loose fuzz. Any leftover grey is very loose fuzz that will sand away very easily. I am still going to use oxalic acid brightener after a thorough sanding.

[@mrblanche]

Of course, the great thing about hydrogen peroxide is that once it does its work, it becomes oxygen and water. (Hydrogen peroxide is H2O2. It works by losing one oxygen atom. It is fairly unstable, which is why the stuff you buy and keep in your medicine cabinet is in a light-proof bottle.)

[@hisnameisiam808]

What would happen if it decided to be more unstable? Like what would the circumstances be?

[@hisnameisiam808]

What would my amount be per gallon of water in order to keep that from happening?

[@pristineservices7868]

WHat kind of oxygen bleach did you use? and ratio?

[@chryspersheff915]

What is the ratio of SP to Water? Also, what psi are you using to rinse?

[@daslolo]

does it hurt the wood ?

[@MrNick-]

Quick Question, I need you help. I’m trying to do a deck this weekend for someone and I’m finding OxiClean for laundry, is that oxygenated bleach powder I could use for the same thing you’re doing in your video? I feel like I can’t but would like you to confirm ... thank you!

[@jeanninemorelli-cary927]

I restored my entire Lindal Cedar home using just hot water Oxi clean (powder) spayed on wait 15 min and brushed with a soft Bruch. It takes off everything (when dried looks like new wood) then rinsed with Hose (NO Pressurewasher on cedar)

[@MrNick-]

@@jeanninemorelli-cary927 thank you, I will give it a try.

[@mikecody5473]

Great work and great vids! If you were going to use oxalic acid for this job. How many ounces per gallon would you typically use?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Mike I think that might be a trick question; with a stain or sealant on this old deck, oxalic wouldn’t have gotten to the wood underneath. But if I’m using oxalic to brighten wood, I just follow the instructions on whatever oxalic acid product I’m using.

[@Alaska610ish]

Buy dry. 1 pound and 1 gallon of warm water.

[@hisnameisiam808]

​@@Alaska610ish that's what I was wondering too. Thanks. Why warm water?

[@Alaska610ish]

@@hisnameisiam808 it dissolves better. Hot water is even better.

[@wordreet]

Sodium percarbonate seems to be a good choice for the environment, as it breaks down into harmless components in water.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Rapidly breaks down into components of oxygen and water.

[@windyman56]

Hey brotha what's the ratio you're using?

[@artmetcommerce4749]

Good video! I don't need a lot of the oxy cleaner, does it matter if I buy it as a powder or liquid concentrate?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Powder is (cheapest), mix it yourself. Here's a link. I get a tiny commission if you buy it here. amzn.to/3vO6Z4U

[@Michael-br8fc]

I like the video, I would just like to add to also followup with a wood brightener after the cleaner. This neutrilizes the cleaner and balances the ph of the wood. It will brighten up any aged darker areas that may have been left behind and provides for a much more professional finish when applying your sealant. Nice job.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hey Mike Phillips thanks for watching and thanks for your input! Oxalic acid is handy stuff, check out my other videos and you will see a video about it. For this one I just tried to keep it basic to answer some of the most common questions I get. Thanks again!

[@briandecker9932]

One piece of advice, never apply chemical on dry wood always wet the wood before applying chemical.

[@ndazbe]

I just ordered a couple of KG's of straight sodium percarbonate as it's a lot cheaper than buying a name brand oxygen bleach. Have you used that before and if so how'd it go? I have a full pine deck that is looking a little worse for wear!

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi Tim, great question. Yes I'm used the non-name-brand stuff. It's a little different to work with but in my opinion is well worth the cost savings. Good thinking.

[@ndazbe]

Thanks for the reply! I have spoken to some people who say they balance the PH after using the sodium percarbonate by going over it with a diluted oxalic acid. Is that something you have ever needed to do or do you find that the deck is fine after the first wash?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Yes, oxalic will bring the pH of the wood back closer to it's natural state, which will make it's natural color POP. Use a pump sprayer, do it while WET, apply evenly and uniformly. Be careful with the acid. I recommend testing on a scrap board or something first.

[@ndazbe]

Thank you, will post something when complete!

[@garrettdorn5816]

Pasta

[@warrenfogleman9962]

what brand did you use. Can you link it?

[@paulgrenier2279]

What do you recommend for cedar siding that is moldy and really dry?

[@faceplant755]

use a dedicated cleaner like wash safe cedar wash

[@tstfrd]

Is this the same thing you use on cedar?

[@OutsideCleaners]

tstfrd it depends upon the condition of the cedar but yes I often use the same stuff

[@scor440]

Do you mix it stronger the instructions say and what brand of oxy do you use my deck is bad

[@chrisimming9454]

Use Oxiclean 1 cup water to one gallon warm to hot water. You can use a scrub brush and hose to get similar results This avoids the need for a sprayer and pressure washer and the potential damage to the wood on the deck from a pressure washer in the hands of DIYer (like me).

[@Glaucidium810]

If the deck is really bad, you should probably just use sodium percarbonate as it is the bleach ingredient in oxyclean. However, it’s expensive and has to be mixed carefully OUTSIDE. If you use oxyclean, you have to use a lot of it.

[@brianlucas3187]

I love using oxygen bleach over sh after watching your video. There always seems to be left over green do you ever treat again right after the first rinsing? Thanks!

[@OutsideCleaners]

Oxygen bleach - when used as shown in this video - is a fairly weak chemical. If you’re not getting the results you want on the first try, yeah go back retreat and hit those problem areas again.

[@robosborne722]

My pressure treated new deck is 1 year old and is ready for a sealer. My problem is I had a grill mat in the same spot for that same duration and this section looks new and the PT chemical is still in this section of wood and water is beading up and the chemical is still in the wood. Any suggestions on what I can do to remove the chemical out of the wood so I can seal the deck all at once? PLEASE HELP and thanks in advance for your help.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Personally I don't recommend "sealing" decks... especially pressure-treated ones.

[@philiplim6916]

Great Job Thanks for sharing with us. What is the PSI you use to clean this deck? and how long you let the oxalic acid to sit on the deck if you applied it?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi Philip, PSI was about 800 at the pump, but I don't know what the wood sees after 250' of hose and a "soft" diffuser spray tip. As illustrated in this video, the effective pressure is less than most people seem to think: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKPLiIxmasugpdE Oxalic acid wasn't used here; this was sodium percarbonate.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi Philip, PSI at the pump is 800. I don't know what pressure the deck sees, after 250 feet of hose and a soft "diffuser" fan tip. The effective pressure is lower than most people seem to think, as shown in this video here: kzbin.info?o=U&video_id=brhWY05fmoo Oxalic wasn't used in this illustration; this was oxygen bleach.

[@phillippistolarides4085]

can you tell me where to buy oxygenated bleach and what brand names are available.. oxyclean I guess is one, but would appreciate the info

[@newwavepressure6478]

Can you use a Surface Cleaner do the top of the deck instead of the pressure wand

[@OutsideCleaners]

JT 1200 i’ve never used a surface cleaner on a deck, but I’ve seen it done. I’ve seen it work “OK“ and I’ve seen it absolutely maul the wood. Just a matter of finding the right flow rate, nozzles, pressure... and having the balls to try it.

[@corbinbrosneck6725]

Do not use a surface cleaner. You need to wash with the grain of the wood.

[@luciereid2466]

Hi could do with some advice please reply if you can help!

[@tmatty123]

Where do you purchase your Oxygen Bleach? I'm in Southern Connecticut and would like to find a distributor. Thx.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Look at your hardware store or local box store. Wash Safe is a good brand which I've used a lot, you can find them online.

[@solskivenrt7516]

oxygen bleach, is that same stuff one use to clean pools ? I have seen somthing called OxiClean, is that right product to use ? Can this be used also for softwashing a house ?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi, no it is not. Oxygen bleach = solium percarbonate solution = hydrogen peroxide. You're thinking of chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite. You won't have success trying to use oxygen bleach to soft wash siding in the same manner as you use chlorine bleach.

[@solskivenrt7516]

Thank you very much for your help !

[@xnofriendsx]

Um...OxiClean is oxygenated bleach, sodium percarbonate. Same thing as used in this video. Right?

[@eager2nou]

Thanks for the video. Is it safe to use oxygen bleach on teak furniture? Which product would you recommend to use as a sealer?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi eager2nou, I've used this product will good results on teak, but I would recommend using a sponge and soft bristle bush. As for sealers, they all seem to be junk to me. I'm not a fan of anything I see on the market at this time.

[@eager2nou]

Thanks for the advice. I cleaned one chair with bleach and laundry and I loved it but then I read not to use chlorine bleach. So then I used Star Brite teak cleaner on a table and chair it did ok not as bright. I'm going to try the oxygen bleach.

[@merlinjeronimo3886]

What to use for a mildew house but has ceder siding and owner wants to keep it the old look?? They just want to wash all the white trine and rails

[@OutsideCleaners]

merlin jeronimo Send your email address to [e-mail].

[@merlinjeronimo3886]

@@OutsideCleaners [e-mail]

[@gregmurphy2130]

Agreed I think I am getting about .82 percent and everything melts quick... I Might try cutting it down honestly because I am paying like 9 per gallon of 12.5 % and that is damn expensive.

[@johnmeixner6472]

Will this take dealer off?

[@tntwashpro3863]

Do you mix it with hot water. If so what temperature? How long does it stay active?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi Mike. The solution in this video was mixed with cold water the day before. It came from a garden hose spigot, so I'm guessing 50-55 degrees. Like the peroxide in the brown bottle in your medicine cabinet, this stuff will quickly go bad if exposed to lots of sunlight or heat. If kept cool in a tank the shade, I suspect it'll keep for weeks (although I've never tried that). I HAVE seen and heard of instances where an expensive tank of product has quickly become useless because it was made with hot water and not used quickly enough.

[@tntwashpro3863]

@@OutsideCleaners should I buy coated or uncoated. I thought it only Dissolve in warm water?

[@OutsideCleaners]

@@tntwashpro3863 Hi again. Uncoated is WAY easier to work with.. mix and go. I used 100% uncoated these days. Stuff in the video was coated and takes longer to dissolve.

[@tntwashpro3863]

@@OutsideCleaners thanks, I really appreciate your time. One more question. Does this work well on cedar siding or would bleach work better. What a good ratio of percarbonate to water? Thanks

[@OutsideCleaners]

@@tntwashpro3863 it's a while different thing. Steak or lobster? PC or MAC? Pros and cons to each but yes, around here this process is often used on cedar siding.

[@apureterror]

Would’ve been nice to see the difference between an oxygen bleach treated area and just the pressure washer by itself.

[@jeanninemorelli-cary927]

Thinking the same thing, If you hold that pressure washer as close as he did, you would get the same results with no cleaner.

[@Freakphoto]

@@jeanninemorelli-cary927 He was using very low pressure.

[@Dude_Slick]

I've pressure washed 100s of decks over the years and it would look the same. It should be pressure washed first, then treated and washed again. That way, more of the mold spores are killed. And a garden sprayer with some Thompson's water seal would take all of 25 minutes to apply.

[@OutsideCleaners]

@@Dude_Slick just saw your comment but am responding for the benefit of others who might read these lines. Definitely do what you want but in my experience, decks which are pressure washed with pressure alone (without using soaps or detergents etc) often become a nightmare down the road. I see them when I'm called to fix what the homeowner did last season. The spores of mold get driven into the pores and fibers of the wood - much deeper than they'd grow on their own - where it grows but is much harder to clean because it's so deep. Also, Thompsons ain't what it used to be. It's the brand homeowners seem to know but it's the one brand water sealer I recommend staying away from.

[@dustpanman]

​@OutsideCleaners so what u recommend?

[@Brabyscastlewash]

So is that 3% or 35% peroxide

[@adnen.benali]

Do you recommend anyone in the Watertown area?

[@OutsideCleaners]

raioo thanks for your question. I’m afraid I don’t have any contacts in that neck of the woods 👎🏼

[@JoelGamingwithJoelHatchHatch]

Do you dilute the oxygen bleach with water or do you spray it straight?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Again.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp7aXqFua7yirq8

[@scottpatrick8352]

Could you use this as a house wash?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Sometimes. Really depends on the type of siding and type of organic growth or contaminant.

[@Vulcan5911]

Thank you for the video. For anyone saying to just use a pressure washer to clean with and not a safe chemical to first break down the dirt/mold/mildew/alge/grease/oil/grime from a surface before using a pressure washer let's try and understand why we use a chemical first. The chemical isn't used to magically make all these things disappear on its own. It's used to help in the process of breaking down and loosening the grime from the surface in the first place so that when you pressure wash it will come off of the surface that you are cleaning a whole lot easier and quicker. Without the cleaner to help in the process you would have a lot harder time in trying to get the surface clean. Yes some of these chemicals are way over priced in my opinion but most work and I would never do a job without them. I've tryed just pressure washing a wood deck and or vynal siding on a house and without using a certain chemical product it just doesn't come clean. The only surface I've cleaned that I sometimes don't use a chemical is concrete, especially if it's just plain dirt on the surface, but if it has oil/grease/gas etc I will most definitely use a certain chemical to help break it down and clean it off. Learn from experience.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Chris Handy what’s that old saying? “You can lead a horse to water...”.

[@Vulcan5911]

Outside Cleaners: 👍

[@anth115]

look at softwashing . barley use any pressure and the chemical does 95 percent of the work

[@garyp1930]

For wood what would u use. And composite what would u use

[@JacobKnightRiderShop]

have you tried Sodium Percarbonate?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Oxygen Bleach = sodium percarbonate... they are the same thing.

[@jonpaul2769]

Can you apply a clear deck sealer like Thompsons afterwards?

[@OutsideCleaners]

If there's an old stain present, you'd want to strip that first. Chemical stripping isn't addressed in this video. If no stain/sealer is present, clean it as I show here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp7aXqFua7yirq8 Also, I wouldn't recommend Thompson's. It's the brand homeowners seem to know but also is the brand water sealer I see the most problems with.

[@jonpaul2769]

Its 1 year old new wood...no old stain. Also would that work for getting off mulberry stains.. Same deck..1 yr old no stain. Thanx for the reply BTW. 🙂

[@onethousand51miles]

What kind of gun and nozzle is that? Thanks.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hey Jimmy, 1/2" Suttner poly gun from Pressure Tek. 4-banger nozzle kit also from Pressure Tek. Can find both on their web site, but are good.

[@jimdavidson5208]

Or think outside the box. Use some Diesel and used motor oil or tractor hydraulic fluid in a 50/50 ratio. This is an old school farmers trick to stain and preserve wood in one step.

[@OutsideCleaners]

😳

[@shellcrackerlover5889]

You are nuts

[@StreetSouljaz1]

That's what my dad told me. Stain my utility trailer boards using old oil. He definitely believes in using what you have.

[@tomwill6366]

I tried using oxygen bleach and just h2o on the same deck and the h2o works just as well. I do think the ox bleach helped loosen things up a little but is hard to rinse off completely. Seems to leave a residue.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi Tom, that's a bit like using the bathroom and then washing your hands without using soap: they might LOOK clean for the moment, but they're not really. Instead, you've likely just driven healthy mold and algae into the wood fibers, when after some time it'll rear it's ugly head and become far harder to actually clean.

[@evanmclaughlin09]

If I were to buy a gallon of 35% hydrogen peroxide, what would you recommend cutting the percentage two coming out the end of the gun?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Holy smokes, 35% is insanely strong and dangerous. Absolutely dilute it down to 2-3% before use for exterior cleaning of the type I illustrate here. Do use necessary PPE when handling that strong stuff!

[@evanmclaughlin09]

Sounds like a plan. Are you soft washing using that solution through a 12 V pump? Or are you down streaming through a pressure washer? Also, do you mix anything else with your hydrogen peroxide solution other than water?

[@evanmclaughlin09]

Sounds like a plan. Are you soft washing using that solution through a 12 V pump? Or are you down streaming through a pressure washer? Also, do you mix anything else with your hydrogen peroxide solution other than water?

[@evanmclaughlin09]

Sounds like a plan. Are you soft washing using that solution through a 12 V pump? Or are you down streaming through a pressure washer? Also, do you mix anything else with your hydrogen peroxide solution other than water?

[@zadok22]

Ok video, but Hydrogen Peroxide and Oxy Bleach (sodium percarbonate) are not the same thing, though the latter has Hydrogen Peroxide in it.

[@thomaselliott573]

you are an idiot

[@vonderloo3184]

Make your own with bleach, hydrogen peroxide, oxy clean, TSP + 50% water. Scrub. Rinse.

[@zadok22]

@@thomaselliott573 Explain how I am an idiot

[@sirloin5014]

The deck support posts appear to be mounted incorrectly to the structure.

[@drunkrtard]

What concentration H202 is that?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Pimpernickel I typically start with half a cup of powder per gallon of water. You can go up to a full cup when necessary.

[@alexandrelebel1925]

Could that work on briks wall ?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Alexandre Lebel brick wall, sure 👍🏼

[@alexandrelebel1925]

Thanks

[@justinhowes6519]

What is is the best degree tip to use on wood

[@OutsideCleaners]

As gentle as possible, 40° (white) fan tip, or even a black soaper tip if you can get away with it.

[@raywilson3166]

Will Sodium hypoclorate evaporate from a decking so to not affect a subsequent stain and seal and not sting dogs if they walk in it?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Ray, are you referring to sodium HYPOCHLORITE ("SH")? That's regular chlorine bleach... like, laundry bleach. That's not what I talk about in this video, but since you asked... Chlorine bleach make things brighter, but Bright isn't the same as Clean. If using "SH" to make a deck brighter, be sure to rinse the heck out if it before letting pets anywhere near it. And, I definitely don't recommend using chlorine bleach to prep a deck for stain or seal, because (again) bleach makes things Bright but not necessarily Clean. Hope that helps.

[@TheJoshLange]

Does it damage plants?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Depends upon the plant and how careless we are! It's best to pre-wet and post-rinse all surrounding vegetation. Don't get it on flowers, and rinse the heck out of them if you do. More details on the process here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp7aXqFua7yirq8

[@johnmattos1326]

Are you from the cape?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi, yes we're here in Brewster

[@deepee1544]

Thanks for the tips. Certainly a bunch of ungrateful comments on here. SMH.

[@knoxvillehomerenovationsll2399]

Seems everyone knows more than this guy who actually took his time to help people out. Welcome to 2020

[@brenthill5596]

I agree. The "pressure washer" did a good job of cleaning the deck.

[@thadhoward]

Where do you buy the SP. AND WHAT RATIO DO YOU USE?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi thadhoward, I mix a half cup of oxygen bleach powder into each gallon of water. You can buy SP online in a number of places, just google it or look on Amazon or go to your local hardware store.

[@kentyler966]

I did try a test of this on my deck with only a brush and garden hose, it did work pretty good. I bought the oxy clean clone at the dollar store. In general its the parts that had the green mold on them resisted the solution the most. I used about 4 tablespoons to about a quart of hot water. The stuff dissolves best in hot water. I did the test twice in a day. The second test was not as impressive as the first. I am not sure if the cleaner gets weaker if it sits or not but the splotches of green stuff was pretty resistant.

[@msvalina007]

Is this safe on Vinyl?

[@toddluns1]

Yeah but its a waste of time. Use 12.5SH. Spray on....wait 5 minutes...rinse with low pressure. Vinyl looks new again.

[@MrMedellinusa1]

@Mike Ike sh (sodium hypochlorite) is like bleach But concentrated

[@mwj5150]

T Lunsford what are you referring to? What products to make good vinyl siding cleaner? thx

[@billiebowling7755]

I've been trying diff things I've seen on KZbin to clean wood like bleach,

[@adventuresbyace4939]

what is your mix ratio in the tank?

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi Daniel, I mix a half cup of oxygen bleach powder into each gallon of water.

[@toddluns1]

@@OutsideCleaners Sodium Percarbonate and a 40060 nozzle will make this deck look new again without furring the wood. I'd have this deck done in less than 45 minutes..

[@toddluns1]

Spray oxalic acid at the end and it will look better than new....Guaranteed. I do these at least 3 times a week..

[@dougfinlay7531]

You should be very careful using a power/pressure sprayer on wood that close as it can bring up the wood fibres and make your deck furry. Best to use a stiff brush and garden hose.

[@Alaska610ish]

In the video he used low pressure 60 psi. Very professional job with the soft washing. Thank you.

[@leifhagert9580]

Yes. You can definitely see that the pressure here is very low. Ppl should begin carefully and use common sense, like with everything else. :)

[@susanharvell8404]

I honestly had zero change in the green mold I tried it on today.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Sounds like something didn't go right.

[@Mydirtywindows]

Should prewet the wood first but good job!

[@OutsideCleaners]

Mr Windows Cleaning Services a bunch of people have asked me about that. That technique is useful when using stronger chemicals (sodium hypochlorite a.k.a. bleach or sodium hydroxide a.k.a. lye) so that the wood's outer fibers don't get damaged by the chemical, but I haven't found it to be necessary or beneficial to do so on stained/sealed wood when using such a mild cleaning solution.

[@Glaucidium810]

After looking at the video I believe the power washer would have cleaned the deck without using any oxygen bleach. If one could have rinsed the oxygen bleach off with a regular garden hose then I would say it was a good product to buy.

[@ransomcoates546]

You have to be careful. I used a product like this and then scrubbed with a brush. I was so intent on getting rid of the stains I ended up gouging the wood.

[@agenericyoutubehandle]

So is it hydrogen peroxide or bleach?

[@antennawilde]

Shame to pressure wash the deck and not stain it afterwards. I mean, the hardest part is already done, that deck would only need a gallon of stain or sealer and an hour of work.

[@OutsideCleaners]

Different area of the country have different norms and preferences. Here on Cape Cod, the vast majority of our customers just want their wooden deck to be cleaned and they don't want the hassle and upkeep of stain. The vast majority of our customers with *stained* decks just want the stain removed. Guess it all depends upon who/what/where.

[@arleneboday]

The power washer has 99 percent credit to the cleaning..Years ago, I had my own Steam Cleaning business with a 3000 PSI. Don't take much chemicals to do a job with a good quality Steam Cleaner like a Landa..Can't fool me in that business, I've done it long enough to know whats going on :)

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi Arlene thanks for watching my video. I haven't gotten into steam cleaning, as we don't get much call for anything with grease or oil. Our work is just mostly washing mold, mildew, algae, etc, from wood the surfaces where I haven't found high temp washing to make a noticeable difference. I used to clean decks with this product using a stiff bristle brush, and it would come out nice but it sure did take forever! Not sure I take your meaning about fooling you, but I've sure seen some local property management companies make a fool out of themselves by trying to wash decks using pressure alone, without any sort of cleaner applied first.... just using pressure. I get called in when they're halfway through the job, and the wood is all splintered up. That's a canna worms. I've certainly found that putting on a mild cleaner such as I've shown here makes a vast difference in the scrubbing or rinsing pressure required to rinse away mold and algae. Thanks again for watching!

[@davidstotelmyre9820]

Arlene Boday Arlene, care to share more about the steam cleaning industry with me? I've been looking into this is So Cal and was super delighted to read this thread because of what I learned

[@toddluns1]

@@arleneboday Remind me never to hire you to clean my deck. Sodium percarbonate, which breaks down into soda ash is harmless, and it brightens wood like nothing else will. Then oxalic acid (sounds harsh but isn't the flesh scalding crap you're thinking of) applied correctly will make the deck look better than new, and if sealed it will stay that way if properly maintained. I use less than 1000psi with my commercial pressure washer (no need to name the brand cause that's ridiculous. Landa? Haha you paid wayyyy too much for that!! Don't we all use Honda motors running belt driven Cat/Udor/General pumps? Landa lmao. Stay off my porch. I don't want you blasting into my wood with your 3000psi! You call yourself a pro? Not hardly.....

[@arleneboday]

@@davidstotelmyre9820 I learned from the best David, years ago I work for Boyles Bros. Drilling and was first taught about various types of solutions in Steam Cleaning. I was in the environment drilling, Rocky Flats, Arsonal, Air Forse Bases, ETC. Back then, most drilling companies used Landa and yes, it is a higher brand vs Honda, not that they didn't try the other steam cleaners, it's just that Landa served them better. Later on after an accident on the rig, I was offered welfare. My pride nudged me to the Steam Cleaning business and I did well consider that my right arm did most the work. I did mostly heavy equipment for retail and small businesses. Boats, gas stations, and decks. All satisfied costumers, never did I get a complaint. Steam Cleaning with high-pressure psi is an art of its own and always take pride in my work for others and myself. Sorry for the late reply, but I had forgotten.

[@arleneboday]

@@OutsideCleaners Hello again, wasn't aiming to down your cleaning solution, whatever works is great. I've seen quite a few steam cleaners do a rotten job on decks and can't blame people for comments made against using steam cleaners. It's not the steam cleaner, its the person behind the wand who shows no pride in their work. I used a wide tip and kept a certain distance between the floor and wand. Steam Cleaning is an art of its own and I enjoyed doing it. My customers were happy with the results and their deck was ready for them to stain.

[@terrymckann5594]

I think the power washers is also doing all the work but power washer cam put dips in wood not good because the water will get traped in dips not good

[@OutsideCleaners]

Terry McKann definitely do what you think is good.

[@themaximusone]

Could ya please just get on with it!

[@wudini2]

I feel like it's just the power washer that's doing all the work here..

[@OutsideCleaners]

Hi Brian, yeah I was pretty skeptical too before I began using this chemical solution on a routine basis. Don't take my word for it though - do some experimenting and come to your own conclusions. In the meantime, here's another video which I think illustrates this cleaning product's ability to loosen mold and algae so that it can be rinsed away with less pressure than would otherwise be needed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoG5oJiPhsSBhtU

[@arleneboday]

Your right Brian

[@daveprostock2622]

Brian Goley Lets go Rangers!!👍🏻🏒🥅

[@roulettered56]

Again.. the chemical did nothing on its own!

[@toddluns1]

You are wrong. Sodium percarbonate brightens the deck. Use oxalic acid after to neutralize and brighten further. You obviously aren't a pro? I am. I do several of these jobs every week. Great video for people that aren't too ignorant to take the advice of people who do this day in and out....

[@wtangodelta1715]

There sure are a lot of amateurs out trying to earn money (beats sitting on the sofa all day) that talk a lot about things they know little or nothing about like chemicals, how they do or don't work and why etc. I especially love how folks are frequently looking for an 'easier way' to get great results with 'new' and 'environmentally friendly' products, which are you guessed it~chemicals. Nothing beats pressure washing in 99% of all cases where wood needs to be 'cleaned' and the key ingredient is good ol H20. I can hear the arguments now for all those special cases where using a pressure washer just isn't feasible...that usually means the wood has been horribly neglected for many years, is brittle and beaten by sunlight or is half rotten and is no longer fit for duty. But people will believe what they want to believe and people will do what people will do...I suppose that has always been and will always be the case...

[@mr.skeptical3071]

Use 12.5, it'll take care if it

[@jeffpollard7304]

Use a 1500 to 1800psi electric power washer, will do an excellent job without ANY chemicals, only using pure H2O. Will do the same job!

[@OutsideCleaners]

Jeff Pollard to each their own but personally I dont recommend that. Your suggestion might look good at first, but in my experience, pressure washing without using anything to first kill and loosen the mold and algae will just drive the spores into the wood, where it will grow and come back with a vengeance in six months or a year. Also, the method you recommend will require significantly higher rinsing pressure than what I show here.

[@mitchelq.6594]

I'm the only one.....

[@OutsideCleaners]

😝👍🏼

[@Vulcan5911]

Never ever use bleach on a wood deck. It will damage the wood in more ways than one.

[@lilsuga771]

why so much talking? omg!

[@saulgoodman2018]

BS. The pressure is doing 99% of the work.

[@OutsideCleaners]

That’s what I used to think, too 👍🏼

[@dwade6322]

Pressure washer gets the stains/mold removed at first..but with out cleaner solution used,the mold/algae spores are pushed further in the wood an re grow back much faster with out cleaner used to kill the mold/algae.

[@user-ke5kw4lg6l]

It will be preferable if you talking less working more

[@OutsideCleaners]

Fahad Ahmed ok boss! 👍🏼

[@fredwest5396]

Preferable to whom Fahad? Here's a business man taking time from his work to graciously provide both a public service and sharing valuable information. Why would you criticize?

[@user-ke5kw4lg6l]

@@deepee1544 why you use capital letters? That's mean you are shout ... please calm down no need to shout i have 2 ears i can hear you very well... if i have same equipments what he has i will do my own video of course

[@user-ke5kw4lg6l]

@@fredwest5396 actions louder than words