Material
Wooden decking
Wooden Decking needs cleaning methods matched to its finish, construction and tolerance for water, heat, acids, alkalis, solvents, bleach and abrasion.
- SurfacePorous
- WashingSpot only
- Colour run riskHigh
- Reviewed2 September 2026
What wooden decking can and cannot take
- Heat Use with care
- Water and soaking Use with care
- Acids, including vinegar Use with care
- Strong alkalis Avoid
- Solvents Avoid
- Chlorine bleach Use with care
- Abrasives Use with care
Always test on a hidden area first and let it dry before you treat the visible mark.
General rules for wooden decking
Identify the exact material and finish before treatment. Start with a dry lift or blot, then use minimal moisture only where the recorded water sensitivity permits it. Stop if colour, gloss, texture, shape or adhesion changes.
Check the label
Identify timber species, pressure treatment and whether the boards are bare, stained, painted or oiled before using a cleaner.
Stains on wooden decking
- Blood Blot first, then use cold water and a tiny amount of compatible detergent. Work from the edge, rinse or blot...
- Body oil Lift free oil from wooden decking, then clean a small area with a maker-approved mild detergent solution and...
- Breast milk Blot the spill, identify the finish and use a controlled cold clean only where permitted. Use plain cold wate...
- Coffee Wipe coffee off wooden decking promptly with a soft cloth. Use moisture only on a confirmed sound finish whos...
- Cooking grease Lift and blot cooking grease from Wooden Decking, then use a small amount of diluted washing-up liquid only i...
- Motor oil Blot motor oil from Wooden Decking, absorb as much as possible, then use a small amount of diluted washing-up...
- Nail polish Lift free polish gently if the face permits contact. A maker-approved mild damp wipe can clear loose residue,...
- Period blood Lift any tissue with a spoon edge, then blot. Use cold water and a tiny amount of compatible detergent for th...
- Pet urine Blot until nearly dry, then use only the cool-water quantity wooden decking can tolerate. Use a labelled pet...
Wooden Decking can be damaged by a cleaner that is harmless on another material. Identify the exact fibre, coating, finish, care code and construction before treatment.
Start with the least aggressive route
Use the smallest practical amount of moisture and the mildest compatible cleaner. Work from the edge of a mark towards the centre, lift rather than spread residue, and keep liquids out of seams, backings, joints and unfinished edges.
Judge only when dry
A remaining patch may be stain residue, dye loss, finish change or material damage. Stop if a hidden test changes colour, gloss, texture, shape or adhesion.
Sources
What we checked and when. Where a manufacturer instruction disagrees with anything here, follow the manufacturer.
-
Timber Decking and Cladding Association deck maintenance
trade body
UK timber trade body guidance recommends mild soap or a compatible proprietary cleaner and warns that pressure spray can damage timber, while noting that species, existing treatment and finish determine maintenance.
Checked 2 September 2026
-
Timber Decking Handbook maintenance guidance
trade body
Timber industry handbook advises low pressure and distance when power washing, and says grease marks need a cleaner or stripper compatible with the timber species, finish, surrounding plants and wildlife.
Checked 2 September 2026