HOW TO: Cleaning a Deck with Oxygen Bleach (NOT Chlorine Bleach!)

Рет қаралды 501,669

2 жыл бұрын

A bunch of years ago, I made a promotional video which vaguely illustrated how I clean a deck with oxygen bleach (a.k.a. sodium percarbonate / OxiClean / etc). It was never meant to be a "how to" but it sure lead to a lot of "how to" questions!
This video here is a basic HOW TO... sort of like "Deck Cleaning 101." As any professional exterior cleaner or deck restorer knows, much more can be said and done about cleaning a wood deck, but I hope this video answers the zillion basic questions I continue to get to this day, all based upon that silly promotion video from years ago.
For those wondering where to buy the chemicals used in this video, you can click the links below. Note that I earn a small commission if you purchase the products by these links:
Oxalic Acid powder:
amzn.to/3Syraxk
Sodium percarbonate:
amzn.to/43RQTpQ
If you're looking to order cleaning chemicals in bulk - www.outsidecleaners.com/pro-shop
Some safety equipment I use:
Respirator Mask: amzn.to/47e5vkq
Respirator Cartridges: amzn.to/3vgVDZO
Safety Gloves: amzn.to/41Evgcg
Pressure Washer Nozzle: amzn.to/3NMtyQy
Ladder Stabilizers/Standoffs: amzn.to/3GYdKX9
Bull Horn Bumpers: amzn.to/48gibZ3
Grunden Jacket amzn.to/3GXmk8j
Grundens Waterproof Bib Pants: amzn.to/48uKSRW
Safety Glasses: amzn.to/3S1aGiY
Neoprene Boots: amzn.to/3RZggTk
Gel Boot Inserts: amzn.to/3tor1Fi
If you want to do this by HAND (no power washer), here's a video on how to:
• HOW TO: Clean Decking ...
I clean exterior surfaces for a living here on beautiful Cape Cod. If you want to learn more about my services, please check out these links:
www.outsidecleaners.com/
/ outsidecleanersllc
outsideclea...
/ @outsidecleaners
Thanks for watching.

Пікірлер: 320

@antonhuman8446 Жыл бұрын

I watch hundreds of videos. Literally hundreds. But only of practical content. And make notes. So accurate grading is at hand. And this presentation is most certainly in the top . Only TWO. No bulldusting. No beating around wasting time. To-the-point. Perfectly executed. Very well done. Thank you kindly.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the nice feedback!

@antonhuman8446 Жыл бұрын

Most welcome!

@TheChupacabra 3 ай бұрын

This is the internet version of a great neighbor. Gets right to it. No milking time for ad revenue and no pushing products with shadow sponsors

@OutsideCleaners 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for your nice comment.

@Surprise_Me Жыл бұрын

Well done video, short and sweet, complete with notes, mix ratios, before & after samples, clear speaking presentation, and...NO LOUD ROCK'N ROLL MUSIC drowning out the video. I have literally left comments telling other creators to "put down the camera". You sir, are a true professional. Thank you.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback 👍🏼

@TheJoshLange 11 ай бұрын

Agreed. I power washed my fence days ago (before I found this great video) but yours was the clearest to follow and had the best pictures of the results for using oxi clean and oxalic to clean it. Glad they can be done on wet wood. Hopefully it gives me enough time for it to dry in a few days so I can paint and stain just before the next rain.

@scottrupp9321 Ай бұрын

oh,, and they other 'creators' never listen to you? Sorry! :)

@markjames2805 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the concise informative video. No nonsense no rambling no self promoting. Perfect how to. Rare. Thank you.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

@jpwalsh89 2 жыл бұрын

Always so generous with fantastic knowledge. Been Powerwashing for years and always learn something from Nate at outside cleaners

@Ctdrules56 3 ай бұрын

Absolute genius. I followed all of your instructions and my deck looks like it’s brand new. Yes, it was a bit of work, but the results were fantastic. Thank you for your video, it’s worth its weight in gold.

@OutsideCleaners 3 ай бұрын

I'm telling my wife Leah that somebody said I'm a genius :) . Thanks for your comment and for watching.

@markstevens1729 2 ай бұрын

⁠@@OutsideCleaners I suspect she laughed, and in a way that left you wondering if she was in on the joke, or really felt that way. 🤔

@troyf8865 Жыл бұрын

Best video I’ve watched so far. I’ve been trying to find the proper steps to prep a deck to be stained, most videos are controversial to others lol.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

@sylvainreeves3565 Жыл бұрын

Very clear and efficient video!

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@anonymous971 10 ай бұрын

I tried out these products & process on my cedar siding on my house. Pressure washing alone only got about 80% of the mildew. After washing with the Sodium percarbonate and Oxalic Acid it cleaned off the remaining crud and left the cedar looking new. Cedar is over 45 years old! Thanks for the video!!

@OutsideCleaners 10 ай бұрын

Glad you got good results but I'd caution anyone against trying to clean wood with just water pressure. While you might achieve an apparent improvement in appearance, on a microscopic level you're doing far more harm than good by just jamming organic growth into the wood fibers. Wood which has been previously "cleaned" with water pressure alone is a nightmare to re-clean as time goes by, because mold and algae is now very deeply embedded into the wood fibers.

@bitTorrenter Ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners You could always use a quat, like BAC/ DDAC instead, something like Wet and Forget etc. That way you're not risking the algae flashing back. What I've done when jetwashing concrete pathways at the backs of houses is apply a 1% solution of DDAC, commercial stuff which contains a surfactant, after using the Karcher. What I understand is that the quats forms a film on the surface and will kill any spores that come into contact soon after.

@rudyw.5216 2 ай бұрын

I put several scrubbers in my Home depot cart but was not sure which head size to buy, came back to your video (bookmarked before for reference) to get an idea of what you used, saw that you used the Quickie 12" scrub brush and that's what i am going to buy, you solved my indecison, also thank you for giving the mixing instructions , i want to follow instructions from a pro, you gave very clear step by step instructions

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Good luck on your project

@Bob_Adkins Жыл бұрын

I like it that OC doesn't say to wear a respirator, spiked shoes, rubber gloves, goggles, and don't try to plug a power washer with your finger. I call this "an instructional video for adults"! Thanks!

@ThatGuy-dj3qr Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this valuable information!

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

@mondo4422 2 ай бұрын

Love the disclaimer! Brilliant!

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@minnesotasalamander5913 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. Please stay tuned.

@antmoore9664 5 ай бұрын

Nice video and thanks for using convectional chemicals you can buy relatively cheap. There is a lot of deck washers out there that are very expensive but your buying a brand name instead Cheers from Down Under

@OutsideCleaners 5 ай бұрын

This industry is shameless when it comes to marking up chemicals. Put the word “power wash” on a chemical, and the price seems to increase by 10 X. There are better options. Thanks for watching 🇦🇺

@darrendanger6853 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video, every maintenance contractor should watch.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍🏼

@backspace12399 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful. Not allot of good information out there on how to clean wood properly. I’m cleaning a fence tomorrow and will be using sodium hydroxide and oxalic. Sodium percarbonate seems more environmentally friendly but feels cost prohibitive at this stage of my business. Thanks for the upload

@OutsideCleaners 2 жыл бұрын

I’d make the same choice 👍🏼 Sodium hydroxide is stronger, and more dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Sodium percarbonate is sort of the “Nerf“ tool in the cleaning toolbox.

@artmetcommerce4749 Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners What's your preferred percentage/ratio for sodium hydroxide and where should homeowners buy it? And if you guys use it I guess it doesn't destroy wood the way I've read bleach does? Or is that you apply, scrub and rinse it quick enough not to do damage to the wood?

@mindseyewatering6635 2 ай бұрын

Excellent video. Well done!

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching

@brainswole101 Жыл бұрын

Just started a small pressure washing business of my own. Used to work beside a self made millionaire who started with pressure washing and eventually moved on to epoxy and modified cement overlays. Just want to say that your technique for pressure is flawless. The "flicking" motion does wonders for preventing damage. Do you use your pressure washer to apply the chemical cleaner? Im assuming downstream and if so what chemical are you using? I used to get something called New Again for asphalt shingles and wood, but don't know what is was made of, can't find it, and have never used bleach directly on wood. Any tips? Great job. I'll be looking into oxalic acid as well. The product i mentioned worked phenomenally as well. You might be able to get it. Thanks

@elitebookkeeping8726 Жыл бұрын

Great video.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the visit

@fannymampasa1226 Ай бұрын

Thanks for going straight to the point

@OutsideCleaners Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching

@JDye-youtube 2 ай бұрын

That was perfect! Thanks!

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching

@olafschermann1592 Жыл бұрын

Awesome tips. Didn’t know that expensive ani-grey just is a spoon of cheap oxal-acid powder + 1.5 gallons / 5 liter water

@sunilawakes9471 5 ай бұрын

Great video - well done

@OutsideCleaners 5 ай бұрын

Thanks 👍🏼

@michaelWells-ef9bx Ай бұрын

Now thats a Quality Video..... Now that Im Older ~ I can tell people ( Its not that I can’t Understand ) ... I just don’t learn the way you Teach...Im gonna try that Acid stuff like U said ~ ive done 40 decks without it and I would love to see how it comes out .

@OutsideCleaners Ай бұрын

Good luck and thanks for watching

@a.c.k.propertyservicesllc5561 Жыл бұрын

I have a deck wash coming up how do you mix sodium pre carb? I herd it’s hard to dissolve and best to use warm water? Do you do this prior to arriving at the customer home? Also how do you apply, down stream, 12v ?

@pauldejesus9644 10 ай бұрын

great info thx

@maxa3221 2 ай бұрын

Great video mate

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Thanks

@thomasnicholas1490 Жыл бұрын

Yo.That is a very legit video.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Totally. Tell your friends. 👍🏼

@gerardgarbutt607 Ай бұрын

brilliant! many thanks my man.

@OutsideCleaners Ай бұрын

You're welcome!

@hughsmith7668 2 жыл бұрын

That has to be a steady costumer now. Does the brightener work on Teak? Great tip on the Pressure washer.

@markshark7521 Жыл бұрын

Good tips, I've used oxylic acid to but be careful when rinsing as can kill grass, plants and fish in ponds nearby,😎

@seanhylind7486 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video. Simple and straightforward. One question: do I really need a power washer in step 5? Meaning can’t I just use a garden hose nozzle on the jet setting to achieve that relatively low pressure? Let’s assume I’m putting out, like, 50psi at the end of the hose. Trying to avoid buying a power washer if possible. Thanks for great videos without all the fluff!

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Answer: it depends! A small-ish deck with minimal or mild algae upon it... sure. A large deck with years of thick algae baked on... probably not practical to try with a garden hose. Here's the thing: the stronger the chems, the less rinsing pressure is needed. Oxygen bleach as shown here is a pretty mild cleaning chemical, so it generally requires some rinsing oomph. If I was going to try to clean a deck with just a garden hose, I might consider use a stronger chemical to compensate for less rinsing volume/pressure. Cleaning with a stronger chemical: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sNlkhaWqlZmRZqc.html Hope that helps!

@shanecrawford6023 Жыл бұрын

What do you use on the wood afterwards to treat it in stopping it from getting dirty again.🇨🇦

@bdevlinmilsim 11 ай бұрын

I love this video

@OutsideCleaners 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching 👍🏼

@XX-fq8kp Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU

@kirkwetsell3854 2 ай бұрын

nice informative video.

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it

@hillshepardson9537 6 ай бұрын

Very informative video..are you applying your chemicals with a soft Wash setup or a downstream injector?..Thanks

@OutsideCleaners 6 ай бұрын

Bulk tank & air diaphragm pump, but a bucket and mop works too. Downstream injectors don't work will with oxygen bleach, as they necessarily dilute it too much.

@peterbarlow8912 Ай бұрын

We used dirtex and bleach solutions on siding regularly prepping for paint. We used car wash brushes on painter poles with an assist from a power washer. Rubber gloves were useless because solution ran off the brush, down the pole, over the gloves and down your arm. When you dipped your brush again it ran down your arm and filled up your gloves. “You know your soaking in it”!

@OutsideCleaners Ай бұрын

ooof.

@scruffy4647 10 ай бұрын

OK, another question. After completing this process on Pt wood, do you suggest putting some kind of sealer on the deck.

@oNeGiAnTLiE Ай бұрын

It would darken the wood….personally/typically, I do not like the sealer.

@oldbiker57 Ай бұрын

Very well done. I have an older deck whick I have applied solid stain to over the years. If I want to clean it before applying another coat of solid stain, would I just do the percarbonate solution and skip the oxalic acid part?

@OutsideCleaners Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. For solid stains, I get better results with a solution of sodium metasilicate than sodium percarbonate. Here's a video illustrating the process on a porch ceiling but to me it's basically the same when on a deck. Just don't let it dry before rinsing... kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bcyegpZ-yNS1mmg.html

@MakingWavesSW Жыл бұрын

First question, what did you use to apply the Sodium percarbonate was it downstream or a 12v? Second question, If the cedar shingles are painted can you still just saturate with water and they will be fine or it is better to cover?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

First answer: air diaphragm pump from a mix tank Second answer: yes, just saturate with water before and after and don’t let the percarbonate solution dry on painted surfaces. Just keep it wet and rinse it off.

@amandalopez9438 8 ай бұрын

Nice video thank you 😊 Btw that house looks like Nantucket

@hillshepardson9537 6 ай бұрын

Interesting video..When you are applying the cleaning solution are you applying it with a soft Wash setup?..What would the mixture be if I was to apply the cleaner with a pressure washer and Xjet?..Thanks

@OutsideCleaners 6 ай бұрын

KZfaq.com/@hillshepardson9537 bulk tank & air diaphragm pump, but a bucket and mop works too. Downstream injectors (XJets etc) don't work well with oxygen bleach, as they necessarily dilute it too much.

@Fromgreentoclean 3 ай бұрын

Nice I normally just hit it with chlorine. But this is something to think about for sure

@OutsideCleaners 3 ай бұрын

Good tool for the toolbox

@JDL_2020 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for this video. What do you do if cedar has already been pressure washed and other big box chems used on it to get rid of algae with no lasting results?

@OutsideCleaners 3 ай бұрын

Dealing with the results of a cleaning job, which may be wasn’t done real well is one of the hardest things to do. Often times, mold, and LG will be coming from deep inside the wood if the proper chems weren’t used the first time. This stuff will work if given enough time, and if the deck isn’t protected by an overhang. Follow the directions and don’t be afraid to treat it multiple times over the course of months. amzn.to/43SPjF2 Note that this isn’t a product you can use to “ prep” the deck before staining it. It’s a passive cleaning product for a passive cleaning method which relies upon chemicals and a lot of time.

@coxbethanne Ай бұрын

how do you clean the railings and spindles? I am 68 and have so many of them. is there any way to spray a solution and rinse without scrubbing each side?

@splanzza 2 жыл бұрын

Great video and thanks for sharing. What if deck is in great shape (2-3 years old) and stained with transparent stain? Same procedure or skip oxalic? I will not be sanding this deck but will be applying new coats of stain. Thanks in advance. 👊

@OutsideCleaners 2 жыл бұрын

I'd lightly clean instead with something like sodium metasilicate (Krud Kutter from the hardware). The type of stain matters; test on a small area before committing to the whole deck.

@splanzza 2 жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners Thanks a bunch!

@dchall8 10 ай бұрын

If you don't have a build up of mold or mildew, my inclination would be to go straight to the oxalic and skip all the other steps. Back in the 90s oxalic acid was the active ingredient in Thompson's Deck Wash. When they changed formulas it stopped working.

@sandrarichardson2713 10 ай бұрын

You make a video like you work. Simple, clear, to the point. Good video. Good job on deck. Everything we would need to know to get your results. Thanks for your help. Jesus bless.

@rsmiele 2 ай бұрын

Hi - Do you use your power washer or a garden pump sprayer to apply the diluted sodium percarbonate and oxalic acid?

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

No. Air diaphragm pump kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mrl2apdh2b6dqZs.html

@artmetcommerce4749 Жыл бұрын

Good video but I would suggest that most folks not try the hand test with a pressure washer because too many of them will remove their skin, ouch.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. I'm just not sure how else I could meaningfully describe the pressure I work with. Obviously, a gauge reading at the machine is a meaningless number without context... and most folks don't have a gauge anyway. If you have a better practical suggestion, definitely please share it here.

@artmetcommerce4749 Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners I hear you. Just a bit concerned because my homeowner machine (electric, basic) is 1800 psi and can't be adjusted down so I have to back it away from my PT pine. Maybe folks could test something like an apple, something that won't be destroyed if you hit it with the 500 to 600 psi suggested for soft wood/soft wash? :)

@jacobwilliams1895 Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners I've seen knuckles sliced open with pressure washers by accident. No one should use their hand to test the pressure.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I've edited the video to remove mention of that.

@Saint696Anger 10 ай бұрын

Y'all got soft hands 🙌

@masculinespeaks Жыл бұрын

Hey man I'm about to do a mahogany deck that has been water treated (no stain). Will this process work with the oil in the deck or does it have to be stripped

@premiermobilewashllc2066 5 ай бұрын

How did this end up going for you?

@tyujivulpus Жыл бұрын

Nice work mate. QUESTION: What do you then seal/oil the deck with to hold that lustre?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Answer: I don’t. In my area, I encounter extraordinarily few homeowners who are willing to put in the annual (yes annual) maintenance required after sealing or oiling a deck. Doing it once and then leaving it is just pissing money away. So, I almost always advise that the best thing to do is just keep it clean and let it weather to a silver or gray appearance. Since that’s what everyone in my area seems to want their deck to look like, and that’s what they often even stain wood to appear like, that seems to be the best advice given the situation. It seems to me that different areas of the country have different favorite products to seal or stain. If that’s the route that customers go. I do think that variations in weather and climate play a tremendous role in what works and what doesn’t. So, my best advice is to ask someone in your local area .

@tyujivulpus Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners Thanks mate, understand only too well the lackadaisical approach people have towards deck maintenance.

@imissmurray Ай бұрын

Thanks so much for this video. Im trying to rejuvenate a soft cedar fence, when i pressure wash it gets really furry and kinda damages the wood. Do you never have this problem?

@OutsideCleaners Ай бұрын

Cedar fencing is usually white cedar, which is very soft and prone to “furring.” The method I use to clean a hardwood deck in this video isn’t how I’d suggest approaching the cedar fence.

@JohnAwad-t2x 12 күн бұрын

Thanks for your professional insight. What angle or degree of the power washer tip do you recommend? 25 or 40 ? Thanks brother

@OutsideCleaners 12 күн бұрын

40. White tip. That's what I prefer. In combo with a 8+gpm machine, it allows you to do lots of rinsing quickly.

@JohnAwad-t2x 11 күн бұрын

The Man! Do you use a soft brush or hard bristle

@chrisbruins21 2 ай бұрын

With your chem mix i see you applying it with garden hose and chem pump i assume as opose to a pump sprayer. I have both a chem pump 10 gpm electric 90 psi and a pump sprayer. If you use a chem marine pump do you make the mixture you recomended then run it through proportioner without water just the streight mixter because its premixed. I also have 6 gpm marine pump chem pump and a pump sprayer.

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

No proportioners for this. I spray with an air diaphragm pump from individual tanks.

@faiththatmatters 3 ай бұрын

When applying the cleaning solution and the oxalic acid, do you use a soft wash pump set up for that? Or how are you applying that?

@OutsideCleaners 3 ай бұрын

I use an air diaphragm pump, but I’ve used most of what I describe here: HOW TO: Pumps I've Used for Exterior Cleaning kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mrl2apdh2b6dqZs.html

@brianlucas3187 Жыл бұрын

Ever clean Ipe wood? I was going to use precarbonate with hot water fan tip it then oxalic acid?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Yes. You can do fine with pie with the same process shown here.

@TheVaado 2 ай бұрын

Great video. How long are you letting the ox sit?

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Just minutes. It does its thing pretty quickly.

@sullyprudhomme 10 ай бұрын

nice...2 questions: 1- other than brightening the wood, is oxalic acid really necessary? In the video, the wood had a nice red color prior to bleaching. 2- after this is all done and dried, do you suggest appying any protective coating, sealer, orange oil or the like? Thanks!

@OutsideCleaners 10 ай бұрын

1) Oxalic acid "brightens" the wood by restoring its pH to something closer to its natural state. I'm told by folks in the painting industry that applying stains, paints, or sealants works best when a wood's pH is around neutral rather than way off to one side or another. While I can't personally back up that claim, I hear it consistently enough to think there's probably something to it. So, from that angle, applying oxalic acid may have a functional purpose. 2) Sealants, oils, and stains for wood decking pretty much all a come with a commitment to annual or semi-annual maintenance, which is something that *very* few homeowners seem interested in following through with. For that reason, and for that crowd, I say just clean it once and enjoy it. If you want your deck to look its best and are willing to commit to annual cleaning and touch-up, go for it.

@sullyprudhomme 10 ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners totally agree on the second point. I do quite a bit of woodwork (restoration of old chairs, tables, etc) where I use Oxalic acid as a bleaching agent. It is gentler than chlorine bleach but typically removes stains, particularly those black/brown stains due to metal contact (rust). Anyhow, I will try your approach (probably minus the acid) on my deck which I never sealed and is looking a bit tired. As far as painting goes, pH neutral is best, so washing after acid treatment is important. Alkaline wood tends not to hold the paint as strong alkalis is the basis of most paint strippers.

@durdy_bros2970 11 ай бұрын

Hi just wondering if the oxalic acid is an absolute must have or would I be alright to just use SH and rinse well after . Thanks great video

@OutsideCleaners 11 ай бұрын

Oxalic acid doesn’t really do anything to clean… it just helps with aesthetics. So no, it’s not an absolute must. But, SH (sodium hypochlorite) doesn’t really do anything to clean wood either. .. it just makes wood brighter by burning the wood fibers. Please make sure you understand that this video is on using OXYGEN bleach (sodium percarbonate), not CHLORINE bleach (sodium hypochlorite…”SH”).

@durdy_bros2970 11 ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners ok so it is ok to use SH without following up with oxalic acid? It will just have a different result ?

@SlowDriverSean 11 ай бұрын

How are you spraying on the mix? When you say 1/2 cup per gallon, what's getting on the deck? Is that downstreamed so the ratio is much lower?

@OutsideCleaners 11 ай бұрын

No, no downstream. Solution is applied at the ratio mentioned, applied from a tank with a pump. Info on that here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mrl2apdh2b6dqZs.html

@patpezz97 Күн бұрын

how long do let the chemicals sit on the deck before rinsing off??

@liljune8209 Жыл бұрын

Do you have a link for the sodium percarbonate that you use. I only see the oxalic acid. Thank you

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

amzn.to/43RQTpQ

@redchris1215 3 ай бұрын

Should you let your cleaning solution soak for a bit before scrubbing it and how long should you wait when doing step 6 before you being step 7?

@OutsideCleaners 3 ай бұрын

I just start scrubbing right away, but it won’t hurt anything to let the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing and maybe it will even help. Oxalic acid seems to work pretty instantly, so I just spray it on, see that things are brighter, and start rinsing it off. Again, it’s probably OK to let it sit for a few minutes, but you definitely don’t want to let oxalic acid dry in place; rinse it off before it dries.

@jasont7887 Жыл бұрын

Just curious, I had a dock built over a lake about 6 months ago. I don’t want to power wash it because the wood looks like new and I just want to prep it for stain. Any recommendations for a wood brighter that’s safe for lakes and won’t kill fish or aquatic life? I was hoping just to use a deck brightener in a sprayer then brush it and rinse,but not sure what would be safe. Oxygenated bleach? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

You’ll probably get a different answer from everyone you ask. Here’s my answer: first of all, you’re kind of screwed because you’re really not supposed to get any cleaning solutions into a body of water (see “Clean Water Act”). Doesn’t sound to me like there’s a way of washing your dock without having everything get in the water underneath. Second, if it’s sat by the water for six months, there’s gonna be organic growth started, regardless of whether you can see it with your naked eye. so I definitely wouldn’t stain it without cleaning it, but I don’t know how you can clean it without violating the clean water act. Do not try to wash your wood deck using water alone, that’s like a kid “washing” their hands in the bathroom with just water and not soap. I’m not aware of any wood brightener that you can safely (or legally) get into a lake. Sorry to say, I just don’t have any magic wand for your situation.

@jasont7887 Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners ok, we’ll I appreciate your input. I may just need to contact someone who specializes in cleaning boat docks and see what they use (or don’t use)

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

@@jasont7887 guarantee that somebody’s just going to clean it, rinse everything into the lake, and tell you that it’s OK they do it all the time. It’s one of those things that I’m aware people do it all the time, and nobody is supposed to do it, and the fines are tremendous but nobody gets fined… Best wishes and again, sorry to not have magic advice

@wpereira0033 Ай бұрын

What do you use for deck stripper along with the cleaning process?

@OutsideCleaners Ай бұрын

If you’re trying to strip stain or paint, sodium hydroxide is the typical tool. That’s not what I illustrate here.

@caseymurtagh526 Ай бұрын

Hi! Would you do these same steps if it’s mahogany decking that has poly on it? Also? If it’s a large large deck, do you just work in sections?

@OutsideCleaners Ай бұрын

I'd prob just spray Simple Green and power rinse. If mold/algae remains, then it's in or UNDER the poly and your problems have just begun.

@caseymurtagh526 Ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners thank you for responding!!

@Johnny53kgb-nsa Жыл бұрын

Good looking cleaning job. Does the oxalic acid replace using a brightener? Do you have a finished product video? Thanks! John

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Oxalic acid *is* the brightener. How do you mean by finished product video?

@Johnny53kgb-nsa Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners Well, I didn't know if you were going to apply a stain, or some other product? Thanks!

@sefraprince5481 11 ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleanersWhat cleaning solution do you recommend ? I also have powder coated steel doors around the deck , so need products that will not damage those . Thank you 😊

@Winchester1973 11 ай бұрын

@@Johnny53kgb-nsasee other questions below video for answer 😉

@cleatusbarncoat8642 5 ай бұрын

How did you apply the oxolic acid? Pump bottle sprayer?

@OutsideCleaners 5 ай бұрын

Pump sprayers will work for small areas. I usually an air diaphragm pump HOW TO: Pumps I've Used for Exterior Cleaning kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mrl2apdh2b6dqZs.html

@privettoli 2 ай бұрын

It might be an obvious question but I wonder, was this deck stained? Why would it lose its brightness after drying?

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Not stained. Not obvious. Thanks for your question. The dull appearance of the decking after cleaning is due to various factors such as weathering, oxidation, and the removal of natural oils and resins from the wood surface. Cleaning removes algae, surface dirt and grime etc, but it doesn't necessarily restore the wood's original color and luster. Oxalic acid revitalizes wood surfaces by chemically reacting with iron oxide (rust), tannins, and other stains that darken wood. By neutralizing these discolorations, oxalic acid restores the natural color and beauty of the wood. I personally also think that wood cleaner generally darken wood due to their pH, while acids shift the pH back the other way, closer to the wood's natural state.

@privettoli 2 ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners thank you! Do you use oxalic acid on stained decks as well? I've read online it might be harmful to vegetation and I have shrubs surrounding my deck, trying to understand how environmentally safe it is.

@aaronwalker288 2 жыл бұрын

Random Question: Is there a good reason to not use a surface cleaner at low pressure on a deck? I've always wondered.

@OutsideCleaners 2 жыл бұрын

I've seen it done, but never been very impressed with the results. Part of the problem is the circular rinsing pattern which a surface cleaner uses; that pattern is necessarily often not along the grain of the wood, but rather at an angle or sideways to it, and wood generally fares best when rinsed WITH (parallel to) the grain. Also, with the slower board-by-board method I show here, the operator is able to give stubborn spots more rinsing attention as needed, whereas a surface cleaner treats everything the same. Thanks for watching my video.

@aaronwalker288 2 жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners I appreciate the response. I have seen some guys say it's a no no to use one but never understood why. I figured it was because the tips were so close to the wood as opposed to a wand that can be 6-8 inches away. I am getting ready to clean an Ironwood deck soon with Percarbonate and Oxalic. The only question left was wand or SC? Ironwood is super dense so I figured it was going to be fine with tolerating some low pressure. I would probably not choose to use one on any softer woods though, I rather stick to advice from professionals who already do great wood restoration. I appreciate videos like yours with much detail to the method and I thank you.

@farhorizons3901 2 жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners The Karcher PS40 attachment is like a broom with wash nozzles. It avoids the circular rinse pattern but does require slightly more work in brushing the surface.

@justinoneill2837 Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners do you think an X-JET M5 fan spray would be better since it could cover more ground?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

@@justinoneill2837 for application? I'm not a fan of the xJet for deck work but if it works for you, go for it!

@nikbadshah Жыл бұрын

Hi great detailed video..quick question, would this method (Step 3,4 especially) remove some of existing stain also? Or should i be buying one of those stain/paint strippers and apply that for step 3,4 instead of the sodium bicarbonate solution? Thanks

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Oxygen bleach generally isn’t a great choice for stripping old stain. Most chemical strippers use sodium hydroxide as the main event. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sNlkhaWqlZmRZqc.html

@nikbadshah Жыл бұрын

Ok gotcha. Nice link for the NaOH video. Noticed you didn't scrub that deck after applying the cleaning solution and went straight to pressure wash? I guess one can scrub on the 2nd round if initial method isn't working?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

@@nikbadshah like with washing your hands or a car or a carpet, the stronger the solution, the less scrubbing you need.

@nikbadshah Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners Makes sense. Thank you :)

@dchall8 10 ай бұрын

It's sodium PERcarbonate, not sodium BIcarbonate. Sodium PERcarbonate is the main ingredient in Oxyclean and other "oxygen" type cleaners. I use the one from Dollar Tree which costs $1.25 for 15 ounces in Sept 2023. Sodium BIcarbonate is the active ingredient in baking soda.

@justmater911 2 ай бұрын

Forget about the hot dogs and beer, come on over and I’ll have Crown Royal and steak ready for you!!

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

sounds good

@A-Aron118 11 ай бұрын

quick question, when you apply your oxalic acid, are you using a pump up sprayer then rolling or brushing it out? Or do just spray it on, and before it dries, spraying it off with water? What method are you using to apply it to the deck? Ex jet? DSing? Pump up sprayer?

@OutsideCleaners 11 ай бұрын

I spray but I suppose a roller, brush, or mop *could* work if that’s all that was available. Or a watering can. Small jobs: pump sprayer. Large jobs: air diaphragm pump.

@A-Aron118 11 ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners Nice, thanks for the response. I just figured it would have to be rolled out for an even coating. I used some percarbonate on my own deck and although it looks clean its somewhat spotty if that makes sense. I really wanna get this process down so when I give my price no one bat's an eye because I'm known as the guy to get it done properly with the best skill. Thanks again!

@OutsideCleaners 11 ай бұрын

@@A-Aron118 like anything it takes some practice. And you don’t know what you’ve really done until you see everything done and dry. So it’s important to circle back and check up on your work.

@pj2169 3 ай бұрын

⁠Do you soak the Oxalic Acid as you did with the Sodium Percarbonate? And is there dwell time or brushing? Sorry for the questions

@OutsideCleaners 3 ай бұрын

Ox does its thing very quickly. Just spray or brush it on and then rinse it off. Don't let it dry before rinsing.

@hollymerchant9550 Жыл бұрын

I was wondering if you would paint the deck or put some other finishing treatment on it.. Thanks for the video?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Mahogany can be stained or sealed if desired. But that’s a commitment to maintenance every year or two, and in 13 years of doing this on Cape Cod I’ve very few homeowners who are committed enough to keep up with the maintenance it takes. I’ve also been less and less impressed with the new “high tech” stains and sealants on the market these last several years. For these reasons, I suggest that rule #1 is to just keep the deck clean, if nothing else.

@hollymerchant9550 Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners thank you so much for your time.. have a blessed day.

@shanemb3 Жыл бұрын

Does this process apply to already stained decks prior to restaining?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Shane, it really depends on the existing stain. Some deck stains, seem unaffected by this cleaning solution, whereas I have occasionally seen one or two wash right off from it. So, like they say, try a small test area first before committing to the whole deck. If you’re trying to chemically strip off the old stain, I recommend this process: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sNlkhaWqlZmRZqc.html

@RodinThink28 Жыл бұрын

Does a deck need to be brightened if it's going to be stained after being cleaned ?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Should be. The brightening is caused by a pH shift as the wood is brought back close to its original state.

@JohnAwad-t2x 15 күн бұрын

Brother thank you, what is the ratio of sodium percarbonate to water? Thanks man!

@OutsideCleaners 15 күн бұрын

2:27 mark

@DrumPeearl 4 ай бұрын

Hi! Could you tell me if I could clean my deck with some chlorine bleach and warm water and a good scrubbing brush ? Thanks!

@OutsideCleaners 4 ай бұрын

I don’t recommend it. Here’s why: Wood is porous and has fibers and so it’s sort of like our laundry, right? You use soap or detergent to clean your laundry, not chlorine bleach. You might use chlorine bleach to make white t-shirts brighter and maybe hide some stains. Chlorine bleach will give the illusion of things being clean for a little while, but chlorine bleach is not useful when it comes to ACTUALLY cleaning soft, porous, fibrous surfaces. Try this instead: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q9qBp7SSnJ-smmw.htmlsi=EyTN3OnP9v0EtXLT

@DrumPeearl 4 ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners thanks man! I JUST watched this video as well. Let's go with the oxygen bleach. That's crazy how internet is crowded of a ton of divers information and way to do things and opinion for a single task (cleaning deck!) lol

@EPeltzer 3 күн бұрын

This looks very dramatically effective, but note that these wood decks are untreated, just mildewed and dirty from weather. On the other hand, if you have years and layers of old deck oil, deck stain etc on it, it's much harder to clean. Pressure washing alone would probably do about 90% of what is shown here. Mildew or algae is just not that hard to remove esp with a pressure washer. Or something like 30 Sec cleaner.

@OutsideCleaners 2 күн бұрын

@@EPeltzer thanks for watching. stripping stains or old oils is a different process than the one showed here. That typically involves a sodium hydroxide-based stripping agent. To the best of my knowledge, “30 second cleaner” is just chlorine bleach (sodium Hypochlorite). That’ll make things brighter but just as with our laundry, SH doesn’t clean porous materials, it just brightens and perhaps hides of some stubborn stains. I don’t recommend trying to use SH to clean bare wood of any type, as it’ll give the illusion of clean without the actuality of clean. I don’t recommend using pressure alone to wash any wood, as without an application of a detergent or cleaning agent, it’ll require far higher pressure than would otherwise be needed to remove the organic and environmental contamination, and that higher pressure is not good for the relatively soft surface being cleaned.

@DzikiKorsyki 2 ай бұрын

merci

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

vous êtes les bienvenus

@nefi720 Жыл бұрын

Does this also apply to stripping paint from a deck?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

No. Stripping paints and stains uses much more caustic chemicals - and require more precautions - than what I illustrate using here to remove mold and algae.

@jonathanbrown4933 Жыл бұрын

nice, c'mon over dude, we'll do the deck then have hot dogs and beer!!!

@mikeledee8786 9 ай бұрын

Do I have to use the acid if I'm staining the deck? Thanks

@OutsideCleaners 9 ай бұрын

In my opinion, no, you don’t. Oxygen bleach is a pretty mild chemical and doesn’t shift the pH of the wood a great deal away from its natural state. However, if you use a much stronger cleaner (such as sodium hydroxide), I do think it would be important to apply the acid to get the pH closer to the wood’s natural state before applying a stain. Hope that helps.

@ivaluska Жыл бұрын

Oxalic acid doesn't just clean the rust, black spots well, it brings the wood's natural tannins to the surface just like new. Rinsing well is good, but one last spray with diluted baking soda will neutralize the acidity, so the stain looks its best.

@ta6531 10 ай бұрын

scrubbing those railings are going to be the pain for this older lady :(

@IFeelGreatAboutMyself Жыл бұрын

Can one clean a mangeris (hard wood) deck using this same process?

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

I'd never heard of mangeris so had to look it up. "Very dense" is what I'm reading. So, I wouldn't personally hesitate to use this process on that mangeris wood, as I often do this with good results on mahogany and ipe... As always with cleaning anything new, test things out on a small section before committing to the whole thing.

@IFeelGreatAboutMyself Жыл бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners that is encouraging to hear. I am brightening a Cedar home and we using precarb + Oxalic steps as well. On that note, what would you recommend as a clear laquer or clear stain to use for a Cedar home post wash and brightening? I really appreciate your response, thank you.

@Faidesolooo 3 ай бұрын

Did you use a pump sprayer for the acid?

@OutsideCleaners 3 ай бұрын

You can for small areas but I use an air diaphragm pump for decks kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mrl2apdh2b6dqZs.html

@LuisSanchez-cz6bv 5 ай бұрын

why choose percarbonate vs peroxide vs bleach? i havent found too much on that, other than SH is frowned upon (even at 2%).

@OutsideCleaners 5 ай бұрын

Awesome question and worth it's own video! In the meantime: Percarbonate is functionally the same as peroxide, so those two choices are really only one choice. They help clean wooden decking by loosening organic growth with the bubbling action which occurs when the solution contacts the organic growth, allowing it to be scrubbed or rinsed away with less force or pressure than would otherwise be needed. Chlorine bleach ("SH") is great at making wood fibers bright but bright isn't the same a clean. Just like with our laundry, chlorine can be useful at hiding stains which remain after cleaning is done, but cleaning is done with detergents (or percarbonate solution), not with chlorine bleach. We don't clean our laundry with bleach, because bleach doesn't have actual cleaning properties, and the same is basically true with wooden decking. Hope that helps a little.

@LuisSanchez-cz6bv 5 ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners Actually, that cleans it up in my mind. Thanks. Advice is invaluable.

@JohnAwad-t2x 5 күн бұрын

Man I used oxalis acid and rinsed. The next morning I have white residue on my beautiful cedar boards. Should I rinse again or sand ? Thanks bro I’m stressed

@OutsideCleaners 5 күн бұрын

@@JohnAwad-t2x no idea, I’ve never experienced that. What did you first clean it with? And, was there any sort of treatment (stain, sealant) on the cedar decking before you cleaned it?

@Tommy-yr7px 2 ай бұрын

Can you use this on a log home?

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

I’m thrilled to report that I actually did clean a log home here on Cape October 2019. It’s the only log home I think I’ve ever seen on Cape Cod. And yes, I cleaned the log home with sodium percarbonate solution and pressure rinsed clean because the owner was wanting it prepped to get some sort of stain put up on it. I did not follow it up with oxalic acid. The homeowner was thrilled with how clean it got, but I do recall feeling like I needed to be very careful with pressure at the funky seams between logs.

@timbob987 Жыл бұрын

Great tips! So once you see bone, you know the pressure was too much.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Bob. Yeah, you're right. I've taken lots of flak over sharing how I make sure the pressure is low enough. I'll change the video, make something up about another way to do it.

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Hi, thank you, I've edited the video to remove the method I myself use to make sure the pressure is low enough.

@kennethz4466 2 ай бұрын

What minimum PSI so you use for pressure washer?

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

No idea. I don't use a gauge.

@Nico-bm8qm 11 ай бұрын

Where do you get those cleaners

@OutsideCleaners 11 ай бұрын

I linked to them in the description

@darkdelta 2 ай бұрын

How about cleaning a driveway? Maybe as a pre treatment before pressure washing?

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

Yes on concrete. No on asphalt/blacktop.

@darkdelta 2 ай бұрын

@@OutsideCleaners Thanks for the 411, guess I know what I'll be doing soon. Thanks again!

@divinenonbinary 2 ай бұрын

What is a reason to not start with power washing?

@OutsideCleaners 2 ай бұрын

It's sort of like when children say they washed their hands in the bathroom, and an adult asks, "With soap?" Attempting to clean a wood deck without the use of oxygen bleach as shown or without a detergent in general is kind of the same thing. The oxygen bleach used in this video will kill algae and mold, and will loosen these organics from the wood, making it all easier to rinse away. If you use JUST pressure alone: 1) You'll need greater pressure than you'll otherwise need 2) On a porous surface such as wood, you'll unavoidably drive some organics deeper into the fibers of the material. 3) It might "look clean" for a little bit... until the organics come back to the surface with a vengeance, and they'll be 10x hard to remove. Power washing a wood deck without first applying something like I show here is a "rookie mistake" which I recommend avoiding.

@Snarfimus Жыл бұрын

Nate! NATE!!!!! Make longer videos my man!!!! You clearly have knowledge and you want to share maybe you feel like no one wants to watch longer videos well guess what we do. Educate us and bring us along the ride! Maybe put a go pro on your head and give us a POV of an average job. Anyways great job on the videos I am looking to start this my self up in Vermont so thank you for the video and keep making them!

@OutsideCleaners Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for your encouragement. Stay tuned 👍🏼