Q&A for How to Clean a Trex Deck

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Question

How do I remove candle wax from a trex deck?

Community Answer

Lay a clean rag over the wax spot and then press down with an iron set on a synthetic setting. The heat will melt the wax, and the rag will absorb it. Turn the rag and repeat until the spot is gone.

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Question

What kind of soap should I use?

Community Answer

A basic car/rv/boat biodegradable soap is best because they are generally designed to come into contact with plastic and metal without damaging. Stay away from dishwashing detergents because they contain ammonia which gets into the pores of most composites. Also avoid cleaners containing sodium hypochlorite - these are highly corrosive to structural metal decking hardware such as galvanized or stainless steel joist hangers, nails and screws.

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Question

We have hard water and the deck looks dull. Any advice?

Deck Guy

Community Answer

Buy an RV water purifier filter and use it when you rinse your Trex deck. I got mine for $29.

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Question

What is the warranty?

Community Answer

Generally most composites have 10, 15, 20, 25 and/or Limited Lifetime Warranties. See manufacturers warranties for further information, and pay special attention to the fine print! Cleaning issues and weathering/bleaching/fading of composites are not generally covered under warranties. These are the #1 & #2 biggest complaints in the composite decking industry!

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Question

Can I use a scrub brush or bristle brush on Trex decking?

Community Answer

Yes, that is perfectly fine. Just get the softest brush you can find. For the old generation you may need to scrub harder than the new Trex with shell technology.

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Question

How do I remove asphalt (road paved) footprints that the mailman left?

Community Answer

The answer depends on whether your deck is new generation or old generation Trex. With new generation, the prints should come off with some elbow grease, a brush like mentioned above and vinegar or soap and water. For old generation, it may not come off. Both may require multiple applications.

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Question

Should a power washer be used on a trex deck?

Community Answer

It can. Do not use a pressure washer higher than 1,500 PSI or spray any closer than 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) from the surface when cleaning Trex products. If you use higher PSI or spray closer than the required limit, you could cause irreversible damage to the deck and void your warranty.

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Question

How do I remove debris from between boards on Trex porch? A broom does not do the job.

Community Answer

You could try using a power washer.

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Question

How do I remove concrete spatter from my house siding?

Community Answer

Concrete spatter, especially if it has been allowed to set up in the pores of Trex, can be difficult to remove. Generally, it comes out over time, if not right away, with a proven composite deck cleaning product.

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Question

How do we remove mold and mildew from our 3-year-old Trex decking?

Deck Guy

Community Answer

Search "composite deck cleaner mold and mildew". It's best to stay away from products that contain sodium hypochlorite, as the mold can rapidly return and they corrode out the structural metal decking hardware (joist hangers, screws or nails) and cause rust stains around metal, which will require another expensive cleaner to remove.

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Question

How do I remove sunblock from Trex decking?

Community Answer

Search "Composite Deck Cleaner sunblock." Don't use products that contain sodium hypochlorite or oxalic acid, as these can break down the sunblock, causing it to go deeper into the pores of most composites, exacerbating the problem.

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Question

Could I use outdoor bleach on a Trex deck?

Deck Guy

Community Answer

It is best to stay away from products that contain sodium hypochlorite, unless one wishes to generally have the mold rapidly return and corrode the structural metal decking hardware and cause rust stains around metal, which will require another expensive cleaner to remove.

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