Is your Trex decking looking a little worse for wear? Are there grease stains that just won’t come off no matter how many times you scrub it with soap and water? If so, don’t worry! This blog post will show you all the tricks and tips you need to know to remove those pesky grease stains from your Trex decking in no time.
Gather Supplies
If you’re ready to tackle grease stains on your Trex decking, it’s important to gather your supplies first. You’ll need oxygen bleach, dish soap, a stiff-bristle brush, baking soda, white vinegar, and a pressure washer. Oxygen bleach is the most effective cleaner for grease and food stains on composite decking surfaces and is available in most home improvement stores. Once you have all the necessary supplies, you’ll be ready to start cleaning your Trex decking.
Test Cleaner in an Unobtrusive Area
Before you start trying to remove grease stains from your Trex decking, it is important to test the cleaner in an unobtrusive area first. This will help to make sure that the cleaner won’t cause any damage or discoloring to the decking. If you find that the cleaner is safe to use, you can proceed with cleaning the grease stain.
Pre-Treat the Stain
Before scrubbing the grease stain, it’s important to do a pre-treatment on the decking surface. The best solution for pre-treating Trex decking is a mixture of bleach and dish soap. This combination will help to cut the grease and release oxygen in the water to remove dirt and rust from the surface. To create this mixture, mix one cup of bleach with one tablespoon of dish soap in a gallon of water. Then, use a sponge mop or brush to apply the solution to the grease stain. Allow it to sit for around 10 minutes before continuing on to scrubbing the stain.
Scrub the Stain
Once you’ve pre-treated the grease stain, it’s time to scrub it out. For best results, use a stiff brush or stiff-bristled scrub brush and a cleaner designed for composite decking. For example, you can use oxygen bleach and dish soap. Scrub the stain in a circular motion and rinse it with clean water. Repeat the process until the stain has been removed.
Pressure Wash the Stain
Now that you have pre-treated the stain, it is time to pressure wash the area. Pressure washing your Trex decking helps remove any dirt, grime, and grease that may have been missed by the pre-treatment. Make sure to use a low pressure setting on the pressure washer and start from the furthest area of the decking and work your way in towards the stain. Be sure to cover all areas of the decking with the pressure washer as to not miss any spots. After you have pressure washed the area, allow it to dry before moving on to applying a deck cleaner.
Apply a Deck Cleaner
If pre-treatment and scrubbing the stain did not provide the desired results, then applying a deck cleaner may help. Deck cleaners are specially formulated to effectively remove grease stains from composite decking. To use a deck cleaner, mix the cleaner with water in a bucket according to the directions on the package. Then, apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it away with a brush. Once you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse the area with clean water.
Use a Grease-Fighting Detergent
For tougher grease stains, it may be necessary to use a grease-fighting detergent. Mix 1/2 cup of detergent with 1 gallon of warm water, and use a soft scrub brush to work in the solution. Let the detergent sit on the stain for approximately five minutes before scrubbing it away. Don’t forget to rinse the deck with clean water afterwards.
Mix a Baking Soda Paste
Once you have pre-treated the stain and scrubbed it, you can mix a baking soda paste for an extra measure of cleaning power. Simply mix one cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of water to create a paste. Use a brush to spread the paste onto the grease stains, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then scrub it off with a damp cloth. The baking soda paste will help lift the grease stains from the decking surface. Be sure to rinse the area with clean water afterward.
Create a Vinegar Solution
If none of the other solutions have been successful, you can make a vinegar solution to remove the grease stain from Trex decking. To create a vinegar solution, mix one part white vinegar with four parts of warm water in a bucket. Use a soft-bristle brush to apply the solution to the stain and scrub it lightly. Let it sit for five to 10 minutes before rinsing with a hose.
Rinse the Deck
Finally, the last step in removing grease stains from Trex decking is to rinse the deck with cool water. This will help to remove any remaining residue from the cleaner and restore the original color of your Trex decking. Make sure to use a gentle spray of water and avoid using any harsh pressure washers or scrubbing tools. Once you’ve finished rinsing the deck, you can then enjoy its newly refreshed appearance!