Tape plastic over nearby siding, cover or wet down bushes and grass around the deck, then spread a heavy coat of stain remover over the stained boards. Scrub off old stain using a stiff brush and deck finish remover. Give the remover 15 to 30 minutes to soften the stain before you scrub.

How do I clean my deck without removing stains?

Baking soda will remove dirt, grime and odor from your deck without harming the stain. Furthermore, since baking soda is natural it will not harm children, pets, wildlife or plants. Baking soda can be used as a deck cleaner by mixing 1 cup soda with 1 gallon warm water.

How long do deck stains last?

The best stains should last three to five years on a deck, and even longer if applied to siding or fences, which don’t get as much abuse. “The sun and water beat down on a deck, snow can pile up, and even dirt and mildew spores can settle on the flat surface,” says Rico de Paz, Consumer Reports’ wood stain tester.