Best deck cleaner: 6 top buys for a spotless deck

The best deck cleaner will have your deck ready for summer in no time. Choose from our favorite decking cleaners, which cover a range of budgets and needs

a stunning deck in a green garden with lots of huge trees, full of wooden garden furniture including a hanging chair and arm chair
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The best deck cleaner will make your decking look as good as new, and the effect should last throughout the cold and rainy Fall/winter season. There's plenty of time to give your deck a scrub whatever the season.

We've created the ultimate guide to deck cleaners to ensure your outdoor space looks fresher than ever. This way you can enjoy the warm weather worry-free, and you can show off your sparkling (not so new) deck to your friends. Think of the summer parties...

With most of these deck cleaners, you simple spread and leave, though some products will need a bit of scrubbing. Scroll on to see our top choices, then check out our buying guides to the best decking paints, or the best decking oils, to complete the look.

The 6 best deck cleaner options

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Pro-Kleen Simply Spray & Walk Away, the best deck cleaner for stubborn mold

1. Pro-Kleen Simply Spray & Walk Away

Best deck cleaner spray: remove stubborn mold or moss with ease

Specifications

Size: 5 liters
Time it takes to see results: 48 hours
Eco-friendly?: Harmful to aquatic life

Reasons to buy

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Non-acidic  
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Can be used on virtually any surface
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Works straight away

Mold or moss needn't destroy your deck's good looks; it can be easily treated with a spray cleaner like this one. This deck wash is low-maintenance and non-acidic, it won’t damage your decking in the cleaning process. It’s biodegradable and not harmful to kids or pets, either, so all you need to do is spray it on the affected areas and leave it to work its magic. Users have confirmed they saw results within three days of application, without having to scrub or apply any extra elbow grease.

Ronseal Decking Cleaner & Reviver

2. Ronseal Decking Cleaner & Reviver

Best deck cleaner for reviving timber decking: it will look as good as new with this cleaning formula

Specifications

Size: 5 liters
Time it takes to see results: 30 minutes
Eco-friendly?: No

Reasons to buy

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Opens up the pores of the wood 
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Fast-acting 

Reasons to avoid

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Need to use plenty of product for it to work

If you’ve got timber decking, then this deck cleaner could be the best thing to revitalize it before you re-coat it. It is potent enough to remove dirt, grease, fungus, stains, algae and mildew, and it opens up the pores of the wood which prepares it for coating with a stain or oil. You can expect your decking to last a lot longer when you treat it with this cleaner whenever it needs it. Users have said it only takes 30 minutes (with the addition of a good scrubbing) to see a difference.

Dirtbusters Spray Today Gone Tomorrow

3. Dirtbusters Spray Today Gone Tomorrow

Best strong cleaner for your deck: a commercial formula that doesn’t require any extra work

Specifications

Size: 5 liters
Time it takes to see results: 48 hours
Eco-friendly?: Biodegradable, but take care around plants and ponds

Reasons to buy

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No jet washing or brushing required 
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Can also be used on patios and driveways

Reasons to avoid

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More expensive than other products

For those gardens that have really been neglected over the winter months, this commercial strength deck cleaner could be just the job. You can expect to see maximum results with minimal effort, as all you need to do is mix the formula, spray it on to your decking, then leave it. There is no need to scrub the deck or use a jet washer, as it is potent enough to work on its own. You can also have peace of mind that this option isn’t harmful to aquatic life, and it is biodegradable so it’s safe for children, pets and the environment, too. The best deck cleaner if you want commercial-strength stuff!

Roxil 100 Decking and Patio Cleaner

(Image credit: Amazon)

4. Roxil 100 Decking and Patio Cleaner

Best deck cleaner for pressure washers: blast away the dirt with this pressure washer cleaning fluid

Specifications

Size: 5 liters
Time it takes to see results: 24 hours
Eco-friendly?: Harmful to aquatic life

Reasons to buy

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Heavy duty cleaner 
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Prevents algae regrowth
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Hose off or leave on

Reasons to avoid

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Takes a lot of product for it to work

If you use a pressure washer to clean your decking but need a little something extra to help remove that stubborn dirt, then this deck cleaner should do the trick. It’s designed for heavy duty cleaning and should remove pretty much any grease, dirt and grime. Don't have/don't want to use a pressure washer? No problem: you can simply apply this cleaner and let the rain do its job. You will need to use a fair bit of it though. Work the cleaner in with a stiff brush for even better results. The best thing about this cleaner, however, is that it keeps working for months afterwards, preventing regrowth of mold and algae.

a bottle of Cuprinol Decking Cleaner

(Image credit: Cuprinol)

5. Cuprinol Decking Cleaner

Best deck cleaner to freshen up: prepare your decking for a fresh stain or oil coat

Specifications

Size: 2.5 liters
Time it takes to see results: 10+ minutes (dry in 16 hours)
Eco-friendly?: No

Reasons to buy

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 Removes dirt, grease and algae 

Every year you should re-stain or oil your decking to ensure it not only looks good but is protected against the elements. If your deck is looking a little neglected, then this cleaner is a good place to start so that yours is prepared for summer. The deck wash formula is designed to remove all forms of dirt, grease and even build-up of algae, and will create a smooth blank canvas for you to work on when oiling and staining. It should be applied and scrubbed with a brush to work. Leave it for a few minutes (Cuprinol don't specify how long but we say at least 10) then rinse away. Leave to dry for the recommended time of 16 hours before taking the next steps to paint and preserve your deck.

C&G Home and Garden Organic Patio & Decking Cleaner

(Image credit: Amazon)

6. C&G Home and Garden Organic Patio & Decking Cleaner

The best organic deck cleaner: a product that's safe for children, pets, and wildlife

Specifications

Size: 1 liter
Time it takes to see results: Straight away
Eco-friendly?: Yes, but take care not to pour directly onto plants

Reasons to buy

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Safe and environmentally friendly
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Can also be used on patios and driveways

Reasons to avoid

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Not as strong as other products
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Need to apply twice on stubborn dirt

This deck cleaner is one of the safest decking cleaning products on the market: it won't harm either your pets or the wildlife that may visit your garden. It's also super concentrated, to be diluted at a 1:16 ratio, which makes it fairly economical to use. It does work best when applied twice – you will begin to see the best results after you wash it off the second time – and when washed off with a pressure washer. If you don't mind the little bit of extra work, it's a great eco-friendly option that can also be used to clean patios, driveways, and fences. The best deck cleaner if you're after something more organic and less chemical-based.

How often should I clean my deck? 

Ideally, you should clean your deck every year, preferably in spring, to clear any mold and algae that would've built up during winter. If you're finding yourself needing to clean your deck more than once a year, though, then it might be time to switch up your decking cleaner, as it shouldn't be applied too frequently. 

Can I clean my deck in Fall?

Of course – there's no rule that says you can only clean decks in spring. You'll just need to choose a dry, frost-free day to do it. In fact, giving the deck a once-over ahead of winter will keep it in better condition throughout the cold months 

What is the best decking cleaner?

If you have a tough job on your hands, such as moss or mold growth, a strong solution such as the Pro-Kleen Simply Spray & Walk Away, will do a good job at eradicating it quickly and efficiently. This is rated as our best deck cleaner you can buy.

Click to shop the Pro-Kleen Simply Spray & Walk Away at the best price.

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Anna is a professional writer with many years of experience. She has a passion for contemporary home decor and gardening. She covers a range of topics, from practical advice to interior and garden design.