Care & Cleaning
Care & Cleaning
Always read and follow the product manufacturers’ specific instructions before using any cleaning product on your deck or porch. It is also a good idea to test any product on a scrap piece or inconspicuous area of the deck or porch to make sure it does not harm the surface.
These guidelines may not cover every care and maintenance scenario encountered. For additional questions about care and maintenance, call 877-275-2935.
For more information, download the complete Care & Cleaning Guide.
On This Page…
TimberTech PVC and Composite Cleaning Tips
Recommended Cleaning Products
TimberTech DeckCleaner™ is formulated, field-tested, and approved for cleaning TimberTech Advanced PVC Deck or Porch, TimberTech Composite™ Deck, and TimberTech Composite Rail. It is the best solution for seasonal cleanup, everyday spills, or stubborn spots. On average, one gallon diluted with one part cleaner to three parts water will clean approximately 1,000 square feet of surface area.
Note that composite deck cleaners such as Corte Clean®, Thompson’s® Water Seal®-Oxy Action, Olympic® Deck Cleaner, or other cleaners specified as composite deck cleaners, in powder or liquid form, should not be used with TimberTech Advanced PVC Deck or Porch, TimberTech Composite™ collections. The capping material on these products is not composed of a wood plastic composite.
Brushes
For the best results when cleaning your deck, we strongly urge you to use the guidelines for the appropriate brushes below. These can be found at most large retail home centers and online retailers.
| Product | Brush Type & Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Advanced PVC Decking and Porch | A stiff, natural fiber brush |
| Composite Decking, Specialty Decking | A medium to stiff nylon brush |
Recommended brushes can be purchased online through HomeDepot.com.
- Advanced PVC Decking and Porch – Quickie Professional Wood Block Deck Scrub Brush
- Composite Decking, Specialty Decking – Quickie BULLDOZER 9-in Poly Fiber Stiff Deck Brush
Recommended brushes can be purchased online through Lowes.com.
- Advanced PVC Decking and Porch – Blue Hawk 8-in Palmyra Stiff Deck Brush
General & Spot Cleaning
In preparation for cleaning you will need water for rinsing (hose or power washer), the recommended deck brush with an extension handle, and TimberTech DeckCleaner.
Important: Clean in small, manageable areas. Thoroughly rinse each area before moving onto the next section and do not let the cleaner dry on the surface. Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight as the heat generated may cause the surface to dry quickly as you attempt to clean. Allowing the cleaner to dry or not thoroughly rinsing will cause a white surface film that must be cleaned again.
Avoid getting TimberTech DeckCleaner on other surfaces, including glass, stainless steel, and painted surfaces. Thoroughly rinse surfaces immediately upon contact.
A power washer can be used for RINSING ONLY with TimberTech Deck or Porch. The recommended maximum pressure is 1,500 psi. A fan tip nozzle should be used. Spray in the direction of the grain pattern, never across the grain, to avoid damaging the product. Use caution not to damage the material and always take proper safety precautions when operating a power washer.
For full instructions in using TimberTech DeckCleaner, download the Care & Cleaning Guide.
ReliaBoard & DockSider Specialty Decking Cleaning Instructions
Recommended Products For General Cleaning
Although TimberTech products are low-maintenance, we recommend periodic cleaning to help maintain the beauty of the product. ReliaBoard and DockSider are composite products, and cleaning is NOT the same as for capped composite products such as TimberTech PRO and EDGE Collections.
Utilizing the recommended products in this guide is important to make care and cleaning easier and to ensure the use of products that have been tested to be compatible with your new deck. Always read and follow the product manufacturer’s specific instructions before using any product on your TimberTech deck.
Brushes
Using the correct brush is very important. Using the incorrect brush can make cleaning more difficult or even damage the deck board. We recommend using the Quickie® Bulldozer Deck Scrub Brush or a medium stiffness nylon bristle deck brush. These can be found at most large retail home centers or online. Do not use a stiff, natural fiber deck brush on TimberTech Decking as they can dull the surface.
Cleaner
The cleaners TimberTech recommends for periodic cleaning for use with ReliaBoard and DockSider include:
- Wash Safe Spray and Clean Composite Deck Cleaner
- Resist Mist Composite Deck Cleaner
- Corte Clean®
- Super Deck Composite Deck Cleaner
- Thompson’s® Water Seal® – Oxy Action
Power Washing
A power washer can be used for RINSING ONLY with TimberTech products. The recommended maximum pressure is 1,500 psi. A fan tip nozzle should be used. Spray in the direction of the grain pattern, never across the grain or width of the board, to avoid damaging the product. Use caution not to damage the material and always take proper safety precautions when operating a power washer.
TwinFinish Cleaning Tips
Cleaning products recommended for TwinFinish
- Wash Safe Spray and Clean Composite Deck Cleaner, Corte Clean, SuperDeck Composite Deck Cleaner, and Thompson’s Water Seal – Oxy Action for spot cleaning and periodic maintenance cleaning
- Quickie Bulldozer Deck Scrub – Medium Plastic Bristled Deck Brush: Model # 240BZ-01
Note that composite deck cleaners such as Corte Clean, Thompson’s Water Seal-Oxy Action, Olympic Deck Cleaner, or other cleaners specified as composite deck cleaners, in powder or liquid form. The capping is a polymer and not a wood/plastic composite.
Railing Cleaning Tips
Usual maintenance of railing must adhere to the following steps:
- Clean using an appropriate cleaning product, as defined below
- Clear water rinsing
- Wiping with a soft cloth
- All surfaces shall be cleaned using a soft cloth or sponge, and no cloth shall be harsher than natural bristle brushes.
- If the railing is subject to any hazardous and unusual environmental factors or is located within one (1) mile of the seashore, an estuary or marine environments, railing must be consulted on an individual project basis for best maintenance practices.
Cleaning products
- Usual maintenance cleaning may be done using water with a mild detergence (pH 5 to 8)
- If atmospheric pollution has resulted in heavy soiling of the coating, some stains or marks may require stronger domestic products, such as alcohol, petroleum spirits, white spirits or bleach diluted to five percent (5%). In this instance, rinse the coating immediately after using the cleaning product.
- In no circumstance shall any abrasive cleaner, polish, cleanings containing ketones or ether be used.
Dirt, Grime, Tannin, and Mildew Stains
TimberTech traditional composite products are formulated to inhibit mildew growth and minimize staining. Rinse off your TimberTech products periodically with a hose. Even if it appears clean, it is important to prevent build-up of pollen/debris. Mildew stains may occur where moisture, pollens, and/or dirt are present. Mildew needs a food source to grow, which can be grass, pollens, dirt, debris, wood, and wood resins.
Maintaining a clean dry surface is the best method for combating mildew. Ensure that water drains effectively from your deck. For TimberTech DockSider and ReliaBoard, be sure that gaps exist between boards to allow for drainage. Cleaners and brushes that are recommended for mildew removal and/or heavy cleaning are:
- Quickie® Bulldozer Deck Scrub Brush or a medium stiffness nylon bristle deck brush
- Wash Safe Spray and Clean Composite Deck Cleaner
- Resist Mist Composite Deck Cleaner
Like any other wood-based product, TimberTech’s wood-polymer composite products (ReliaBoard and DockSider) may experience a naturally occurring process called Extractive Bleeding/Tannins. This process may cause temporary discoloration that will weather away with exposure to flushing rainfall and UV. In most cases, the weathering process takes 8-10 weeks but could vary depending on location and specific product application such as a covered porch. Tannins may also be cleaned by utilizing the cleaners referenced for Basic Cleaning Recommendations for ReliaBoard and DockSider.
Furniture Care and Cleaning Guide
Download the TimberTech Invite Collection Cleaning and Maintenance Guide
Other Considerations
To keep your TimberTech Deck or Porch looking its best, here are a few things to consider:
- Avoid the use of rubber-backed mats, tarps, pool toys, and other non-porous items on the deck for any extended
period of time as these items may cause discoloration to the decking surface. - Some products, such as sunblock and insect repellent, contain chemicals that may alter the surface of TimberTech Deck, Rail, or Porch and Rim Joist Covers. Prior to use of these products on or near an TimberTech Deck, Rail, or Porch, check product labels and consult the manufacturer about the product’s effect on plastic materials.
- Do not get any PVC glue or similar product on the surface of any TimberTech Deck, Rail, or Porch product as it may discolor and permanently damage the surface.
- As with any walking surface, TimberTech Deck or Porch products may become slippery in freezing weather. Take caution when walking in these conditions. For ice removal, most products containing calcium chloride can be used without damage to the deck or porch surface. These products may leave a white residue which can be cleaned using the cleaning guidelines in the previous pages.
- Metal shovels or plastic shovels with a metal leading edge will damage the surface of an TimberTech Deck or Porch and are not recommended for clearing snow from deck surface.
- Do not allow airborne construction dust from materials such as concrete, fiber cement, landscape blocks, stucco, and drywall to accumulate on the surface of an TimberTech Deck or Porch as it may damage the surface of the deck. Do not cut any product and always remove job site dust, clay, dirt, mud, and other construction products from an TimberTech Deck, Rail, and Porch quickly. Do not allow construction dirt and debris to sit on the TimberTech Deck, Rail, or Porch surface. Do not cut metal objects such as railing on the deck surface, the hot debris from the cut may become embedded in the deck surface resulting in staining and damage.