How to Maintain a Mahogany Deck

Sweep your deck, then hose it off.

Scrub with a deck cleaner containing borate or a similar chemical to eliminate mildew, if it has stained. Alternately, power wash the deck with ordinary water very carefully. According to Archadeck, power washing can rough up the surface, if not done properly. Use power of less than 1,500 PSI and watch to make sure the nozzle is not so close that it damages the wood.

Let the deck dry completely before treating it. If you apply a treatment too soon, the sealant will keep water inside the wood. Ideally, wait three to five days after rain or hosing.

Apply a sealant especially made for mahogany with a brush or a lamb's wool pad according to the manufacturer's directions. Stir the sealant completely and brush only one or two boards at a time. Do the entire length without stopping so the color stays even. Also avoid using so much stain that it drips between boards.

Wait five to 10 seconds after sealing an area, then remove any oil remaining on top of the wood with a rag. This will prevent a sticky result from leaving too much stain on the boards.

Stain and wipe one or two boards at a time until you have treated the entire deck.