CDECK composite decking has a reputation for being easy to live with, and it's true. But easy to look after doesn't mean maintenance-free: no outdoor floor is entirely maintenance-free, although composite asks less than most. This guide covers it all: day-to-day cleaning, how to use a pressure washer, what to do about stains and limescale, which products to avoid and how often you need to get to work.
All our composite boards
The kit for cleaning a CDECK composite deck is deliberately very simple:
Yes, and we actually recommend it. There are just four rules to follow:
Diagram: minimum distance of 30 cm for the pressure washer
Four steps are all it takes to keep the deck looking spotless over the years:
In the vast majority of cases, that's all there is to it.
It's best to act quickly: the sooner you deal with a stain, the more easily it comes out. Depending on what it is:
| What's happened | What to do |
|---|---|
| Everyday dirt, dust, leaves, green algae (decking turning green) | Water + mild detergent |
| Food residue, grease, wine, drinks | Water + non-abrasive degreaser |
| Limescale deposits (whitish marks) | Water + non-abrasive limescale remover |
In every case, brush with soft bristles or use the pressure washer along the length of the board. Always test the product on a less visible area before applying it across the whole deck.
If a grease stain resists normal cleaning, what to do next depends on your range:
In hard water areas, whitish limescale marks can appear on the surface. They come off without any trouble and without damaging the board.
A composite deck isn't wood, so you don't look after it like wood. None of the following:
There's no set frequency: clean it when you see dust, leaves or debris building up.
For a deep clean, or to reach the structure underneath, the Quick-Fix® system lets you take out and refit each board individually.
Beyond cleaning, two things extend the life of the deck:
No. An occasional sweep and a wash with water and mild detergent is enough. It needs no varnish, no wood stain, no saturator.
Water and a mild, pH-neutral detergent for day-to-day cleaning. For grease stains, a non-abrasive degreaser; for limescale, a non-abrasive limescale remover. Avoid abrasive, chlorine-based or acidic products, and always test on a less visible area first.
Yes. Wide fan jet nozzle, around 30 cm away, 150 bar maximum and always along the length of the board.
No. Composite isn't wood: it isn't fed and it isn't treated. Wood stain, saturator and greying remover are all ruled out.
Wash it with water and mild detergent and a soft-bristled brush, or with the pressure washer, always along the length of the board, then rinse with clean water.
Yes. The Quick-Fix® system lets you lift out and refit each board individually, without taking up the whole deck.