Average Cost to Clean Wood Decks Per Square Foot

Deck Cleaners

• Some manufacturers make concentrated deck cleaners that are cheaper in cost per square foot than premixed deck cleaners that cost more foot. While concentrated deck cleaners come in liquid or granular form, the premixed deck cleaner is made in liquid form.

Coverage

• Depending on the type of cleaner, you could spend an average of $40 for a 300-square-foot deck, if you use premixed deck cleaner, or $0.13 per square foot, as of 2011. Generally, 1 gallon of deck cleaner is enough for a deck 25-by-12 feet with up to three steps. Deck cleaner concentrate, which can cover 1,000 square feet for about the same price as premixed deck cleaner, cleans 300 square feet for only $0.04 per square foot.

Application

• Deck cleaner manufacturers direct you to apply the deck cleaner with a sponge, spray bottle or pressure washer. Once the cleaner is on the wood deck, it needs to sit for five to 10 minutes to soak into the wood and start cleaning, but don’t allow the cleaner to dry.

Cleaning

• Once the deck cleaner has time to penetrate the wood decking, you need to clean the wood. If the wood is covered with mold or mildew, use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the boards. Rinse off the cleaner and let the deck dry for at least two days before sealing it.