Testing the Best Deck Cleaners
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about Testing the Best Deck Cleaners and hope the blog can help you.
An outdoor deck is a hub of summer activities, but when it gets dirty, it’s an eyesore. I put the top deck cleaners through their paces to see which ones really powered through dirt and grime—read on for the results of my hands-on tests so you can buy the best product and get that deck ready for fun.
Outdoor decks are favorite spots for entertaining and relaxing, but like all exterior surfaces, they eventually get dirty. Left that way, they can become dingy and drab before their time. To keep your deck looking great, it’s recommended to clean it annually—ideally in spring or early summer—and then follow up with a sealer for extra protection from the elements. But with dozens of deck cleaning products available, choosing the best one can be a challenge.
That’s why I set out to personally put a host of popular products through their paces. I selected the top-selling deck cleaners on the market and used each one to tackle actual decking boards that had been stained with dried-on mud and grease splatters from the grill. To my surprise, some products that I expected to do well failed to earn a space in this lineup. Keep reading to learn more about selecting the best deck cleaner for your needs, and find out how the following products performed in my tough deck cleaner tests.
- BEST OVERALL: Star Brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner & Protectant
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Krud Kutter House & Siding Pressure Washer Concentrate
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PRE-STAINING: Defy Wood Brightener Liquid Concentrate
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR PRESSURE WASHER: Karcher Pressure Washer Multipurpose Cleaning Soap
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR MOLD AND MILDEW: Wet & Forget Outdoor Cleaner Concentrate
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR OIL AND GREASE: Oil Eater Original Cleaner & Degreaser
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ECO-FRIENDLY: Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner
↓ Jump to Review
Before You Buy a Deck Cleaner
Cleaning a deck doesn’t just improve its appearance; if the surface has mold or mildew growth, treating it with an appropriate cleaner can actually prolong its useful life. Plus, cleaning a deck before applying a stain or sealer can protect it from weather damage and harsh UV rays. In short, a quality deck cleaner is an essential tool in any deck maintenance arsenal.
How We Tested the Best Deck Cleaners
Initially, I planned on testing all the deck cleaners on standard pieces of wood decking boards, purchased from the lumber yard and slathered with mud and grease. But when I saw that some of the products were designed to remove mold or algae, I had to seek out different materials to test them on. What began as a simple test on wood decking expanded to cleaning concrete, masonry, siding, and other outdoor surfaces.
While testing each cleaner, I used a rubric to score its performance. Several aspects were scored, including how easy it was to understand the application instructions and whether the cleaner lived up to the manufacturers’ claims.
When all the cleaners had been tested and evaluated, I added up the points earned by the best deck cleaners and used them to determine the various categories.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 9 |
| Time spent testing | 1 hour each |
| Tests performed | 7 to 8 |
| Price range | $15 to $30 |
Our Top Picks
To earn a spot in this lineup, the following deck cleaners had to live up to their manufacturer’s claims of removing mud and grease stains completely. If they were specialty cleaners—such as a deck brightener or a mold remover—they had to excel at those particular tasks. I tested each deck cleaner according to the recommended methods: pouring, spraying, brushing, or applying with a pressure washer.
Ahead, find out how each of these popular products fared in my hands-on tests, and learn the pros and cons of each product that I discovered during the testing phase.
Best Overall
Star Brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner & Protectant
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Designed for: Painted decks, fiberglass decks
- Application method: Apply full-strength
- Special properties: Loosens stains without damaging paint
Pros
- Easy to use; simply apply, wipe off, and rinse
- No mixing or diluting required before application
- Dissolves dirt without harming painted surfaces; ideal for sealed wood varieties
Cons
- Failed to impart a nonslip surface; may not be ideal for some users’ preferences
Painted and composite decks require a gentle cleaner like Star Brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner, which contains non-caustic chelating detergents to vanquish spills and dirt without scrubbing. Although Star Brite claims to be suitable for painted surfaces, I was concerned that it might strip the paint from a painted deck. To find out, I put two coats of deck paint on a new decking board, let it cure for a full week, then smeared it with mud and grease.
Then, per the manufacturer’s directions, I wet down one end of the painted board with water and poured on a small amount of Star Brite—full strength. After letting the solution sit for a few minutes to soften the stains, I wiped the board with a soft rag, and the mud and grease came right off. To complete the test, I rinsed the board with water to remove any errant cleaner, and once it was completely dry, I inspected the paint. It looked great—as intact as the other end of the board that I hadn’t cleaned.
Star Brite claims to leave behind a nonskid polymer coating, so I wet down the board again and rubbed my fingers over both ends to see if I could tell the difference. It was difficult to feel whether the section cleaned with Star Brite had more friction, but it certainly didn’t make it any slicker. So while I cannot truly recommend the product as having a nonskid benefit, I was impressed by its ability to clean painted decking without harming the paint job. A 1-gallon jug cleans and treats a deck up to 1,000 square feet.
Get the Star Brite deck cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
Krud Kutter House & Siding Pressure Washer Concentrate
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Designed for: Wood, vinyl, aluminum, masonry, and shingles
- Application method: Pressure washer or dilute and apply with a brush
- Special properties: Usable on multiple outdoor materials
Pros
- Can be applied via pressure washer or diluted and applied manually
- Rinses clean; removes dirt, debris, and other materials with ease
- Ample quantity provided for large decks or multiple uses
Cons
- Didn’t lighten test board but might lighten aged wood
Those looking for a quality deck cleaner at an affordable price need look no further than Krud Kutter’s Green Pressure Washer Concentrate. While it’s designed for use in a pressure washer, users can also dilute this formula and apply it with a deck brush, which is how I tested it.
I mixed 1 cup of Krud Kutter with 10 cups of water and then poured the diluted solution over a decking board that I’d slathered with mud and grill grease. I gave the solution 3 minutes to work, and then I sprayed the board with water. While the mud came right off, the grease left a light glaze on the board, so I poured on a bit more of the solution and scrubbed lightly with a nylon bristle brush. I rinsed again, and the board was immaculate—no trace of a stain.
Krud Kutter contains SPOREX, which is a proprietary blend of ingredients that break down stains and grime. This deck cleaner also purports to lighten surface weathering on wood, but I cannot speak to this quality since the board I tested was new, not aged or weathered. However, once the board was dry I compared it to another new decking board, and it wasn’t any lighter in tone.
Krud Kutter comes in a 1-gallon jug and makes 11 gallons of cleaning solution when diluted, which is enough to clean up to 2,000 square feet. That’s a lot of cleaning power for the price.
Get the Krud Kutter deck cleaner at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best Pre-Staining
Defy Wood Brightener Liquid Concentrate
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 3.5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Designed for: Wood decking
- Application method: Pump-sprayer, brush
- Special properties: Lightens existing wood tone
Pros
- Easy to use (dilutes at a 1:4 ratio); simply apply, wait, and rinse off
- Versatile application; can be applied with a brush or pump sprayer
- Lightens (bleaches) wood to remove stains
Cons
- Raises the wood grain and leaves a slightly rough surface
For those looking to clean and brighten a weathered wood deck before applying a fresh coat of deck stain, Defy Wood Brightener is a worthy option. This cleaner treats decks up to 1,000 square feet, and it removes light dirt, rust stains, and the dark tannin stains left behind by decaying leaves. It’s suitable for use on all types of wood.
Defy isn’t a typical deck cleaner; its purpose is to remove penetrating stains and lighten the wood so the new stain color will absorb evenly. So for testing, rather than smear a board with grease and mud, I poured coffee on a new wood decking board, letting it soak in and dry. Then I diluted Defy at the recommended 1:4 (cleaner to water) ratio and used a deck brush to apply an even coat. I waited 5 minutes as instructed and rinsed off the solution before letting the board dry.
Defy did lighten the coffee color to the point that the board looked nearly new again. However, the solution also raised the wood grain slightly—though the reaction is typical for this type of product, it makes the surface of the wood slightly rough. Those wanting a smooth deck surface may opt to sand the wood after lightening it with Defy and before staining and sealing.
Get the Defy deck cleaner at Amazon, Walmart, or Heller’s Hardware.
Best for Pressure Washer
Karcher Pressure Washer Multi-Purpose Cleaning Soap
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Designed for: Wood, masonry, metal, vinyl, and automobile exteriors
- Application method: Power washer, dilute and brush on
- Special properties: Breaks down stains quickly
Pros
- Versatile formula; safely cleans many outdoor surfaces
- Suitable for power washer use for a very deep clean
- Biodegradable formula; ideal for households that prefer low-chemical formulas
- Excellent stain removal capabilities; ideal for very dirty decking
Cons
- Left my skin slightly red and itchy where it splashed
For quickly powering away dirt, stuck-on debris, and stains with a pressure washer, check out Karcher’s Pressure Washer Multi-Purpose Cleaning Soap. It’s formulated for use on decks and other wood surfaces, including fencing.
For testing, I employed a pressure washer, but the solution can also be applied by diluting at a ratio of 1:20 (cleaner to water) in a bucket and then brushing it on the surface. In addition to cleaning decks, Karcher is suitable for other outdoor items, including concrete and siding. Karcher doesn’t estimate per-square-foot coverage, but it does make 20 gallons of cleaning solution, so it should go a long way.
I filled the dispenser on my pressure washer with Karcher, full strength, and attached the garden hose, plugged the washer in, and turned it on the board, previously slathered with mud and grease. The cleaning solution quickly removed the stains, and when the board dried, I couldn’t see any trace of them.
This multipurpose exterior cleaner contains powerful ingredients that break down and dissolve stains for a deep and thorough clean. After my test board was cleaned, I tried the solution on a concrete patio and some brick steps, and it made quick work of cleaning them as well. I was impressed enough to purchase this Karcher product again, although I would recommend wearing protective clothing, as it left my skin red and itchy where it splashed.
Get the Karcher deck cleaner at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., or The Home Depot.
Best for Mold and Mildew
Wet & Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Designed for: Removing mold from wood, masonry, metal, and concrete
- Application method: Dilute in bucket or pump-sprayer
- Special properties: Kills mold and removes mold stains
Pros
- Can be used in a pump-sprayer for ease of application
- No-rinse formula; simply leave on and forget
- Kills mold and lightens mold stains; ideal for those that live in moist environments
Cons
- May harm foliage; spray nearby grass and shrubs with water
Don’t want to put in a lot of elbow grease? Consider Wet & Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain Remover. A liquid concentrate that dilutes with water, it doesn’t require any scrubbing, mopping, or even rinsing. It dilutes at a 1:5 (cleaner to water) ratio, is safe for use on walkways and most types of siding, and the 1-gallon jug will treat up to 2,250 square feet.
I tested Wet & Forget using a pump-type garden sprayer (a deck brush or a hose-end sprayer can also be employed). I didn’t apply it to a new test board as in my other tests because it contains mildewcide, and the new decking boards didn’t have any mold. Fortunately, I located some mold growth and discoloration on the foundation of a neighbor’s well house, and my neighbor was only too happy to let me test the product there (provided I sprayed the entire well house foundation!).
I waited until a bright morning with no rain forecast and sprayed the foundation thoroughly, following the instructions to let the solution soak in for up to 5 hours. Later that afternoon I returned and found the previously mold-darkened areas to look light and powdery. I used a stiff dry brush to remove the powder, and the concrete blocks beneath looked clean, with no dark or stained areas. To be sure, I went back a few days later, after it had rained, and the foundation was still free of mold. My neighbor and I were both impressed, though we don’t know yet how long the treatment will keep the mold at bay.
Get the Wet & Forget deck cleaner at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.
Best for Oil and Grease
Oil Eater Original Cleaner & Degreaser
