Bleach vs. Restore A Deck Cleaners

Cleaning wood is not rocket science but it does require a little knowledge of the products and methods available. If you are going to restore your own deck then you will certainly be using a wood deck cleaner. There are several types of cleaners out there but the two basic and most commonly used ones are sodium percarbonate cleaners and bleach-based cleaners. There are pros and cons to each type.

Bleach Deck Cleaners

These types of cleaners contain an active ingredient known as sodium hypochlorite (a.k.a. bleach). Most bleach deck cleaners also include other surfactants that assist in wood cleaning. Bleach alone is only an average cleaner at best of dirt and grime. It is however, a superb remover of mold, mildew and fungal growth. Although bleach does have its place for cleaning certain surfaces, wood may not be one of them. Bleach has been flagged as damaging to wood. It attacks the wood’s lignin, which is the organic substance that helps bind the fibers, cells, and vessels of the wood. In other words, it breaks down the composition of the wood and may cause drying, cracking and splitting.

Sodium Percarbonate Deck Cleaners

Sodium percarbonate is found in oxygenated type cleaners and does not contain bleach. This active ingredient is an EPA registered mold and mildew remover and is found in the Restore-A-Deck cleaners. In addition, oxygenated deck cleaners include supplementary surfactants that assist in boosting the total effectiveness of the cleaner. Cleaners like Restore-A-Deck cleaners are effective at removing mold, mildew, dirt, gray wood fibers, and in some cases failing semi-transparent stains. These cleaners are both environmentally and user-friendly as well as very effective. Sodium percarbonate cleaners can also be used for cleaning concrete, lawn furniture or as an effective house wash.

When it comes to bleach vs. Restore A Deck Cleaners there really is only one winner. Although bleach deck cleaners may do a fairly decent job of cleaning dirt, mold, and mildew the long term damaging effects are not worth the risk. Restore A Deck Cleaners are safe, effective and will not damage wood.

RAD Products Owner

Scott only carries wood deck stains and wood restoration products that perform best based on his experience using the products and his 30+ years of helping others. Scott has been approached about selling numerous restoration products through the years but selects only the products he has used and trusts to perform.

See Full Bio

Wood Restoration and Maintenance Wood Deck Cleaning Wood Deck Stains Wood and Deck Stain Strippers