Caring for your Elements^® deck includes a few simple preventive measures, as well as periodic cleanings that will help maintain the natural beauty of your deck.

Please note that any cleaning product can lighten the color of your deck. Always test any cleaning product in an inconspicuous area of your deck before cleaning a large area.

Reducing Dirt & Grime

Semi-annual cleaning of your deck is recommended to reduce dirt, dust, grime and other residue build-up. When cleaning, rinse your deck with a garden hose using a fan-tip nozzle at a pressure not exceeding 1,000 psi.

Semi-annual cleaning may not eliminate all dirt, dust, grime and other residue build-up on your deck.

For a more thorough cleaning of your Elements deck, use a deck wash containing sodium hypochlorite such as those listed below:

BEHR^® Multi-Surface Cleaner & Mildew Stain Remover
ARMOR ALL^® E-Z Deck Wash
OLYMPIC^® Deck Cleaner

Removing Rust Stains

Metal outdoor furniture can leave rust marks on your deck. Therefore, we recommend that you apply appropriate plastic or vinyl tips to metal furniture to prevent staining.

If rust stains do appear on your Elements deck, they can often be removed using deck cleaners containing oxalic acid or phosphoric acid such as those listed below:

BEHR^® No.63 Wood Cleaner Brightener Conditioner
Flood^® Dekswood^® Deck Cleaner Brightener

Cleaning Oil and Grease Stains

To keep your deck in the best possible shape, we also recommend the use of grill mats to reduce the risk of grease stains associated with grills.

Should grease or oil stain the deck's surface, it is important to clean the stain immediately using a commercial degreasing agent such as those listed below:

Gojo^® Natural Orange Pumice Hand Cleaner
Castrol^® Super Clean

Removing Suntan Lotion

Since suntan lotions and oils can potentially stain your deck, please take precautions to avoid these types of spills.

These stains can often be removed using commercial degreasing agents such as those listed below. Be sure to remove as much of the lotion spill as possible with water before using cleaning agents.

Gojo^® Natural Orange Pumice Hand Cleaner
Dawn^® Dishwashing Liquid

Removing Mold and Mildew

Rinse your deck with a garden hose, at least semi-annually, using a fan-tip nozzle at a pressure not exceeding 1,000 psi, to help reduce the occurrence of mold and mildew.

Mold and mildew stains are a natural result of moisture. These stains can often be removed using cleaners containing sodium hypochlorite such as those listed below:

BEHR^® Multi-Surface Cleaner & Mildew Stain Remover
ARMOR ALL^® E-Z Deck Wash
OLYMPIC^® Deck Cleaner

Additional Tips

• Dragging furniture and other objects across the deck may cause surface scratches.
   
• Remove food, spills and other debris and clean immediately to minimize the possibility of staining.
   
• Always test any cleaner on a small portion of your deck before cleaning the entire deck.
   
• Always follow manufacturers' application instructions when using any cleaner.
   
• Please note that any cleaner can lighten the color of your deck.
   
• Place mats under metal objects to protect against rust stains.
   
• Place grill mats under your grill to protect your deck from grease spills.
   
• Never mix two or more cleaning agents when cleaning your deck.
   
• Do not use a metal shovel to remove snow or ice from your deck, as you may cause damage to the deck surface.
   
• Always follow proper gapping (installation) instructions to prevent water from accumulating on your deck.
   
• Keep the area under your deck clean and well ventilated.
   
• Never apply harsh solvents such as acetone, gasoline, benzene, carbon tetrachloride or paint thinner to your deck.
   
• Sanding the surface to remove stains is not recommended.

Please contact our technical service department with any additional questions, comments or concerns.