Imagine that you just cleaned your deck and it looks brand new. But after a few weeks, you start to see some ugly black spots. Before you know it, your once-clean deck is covered in mildew, and you’re left thinking where you went wrong. If you take pride in your outdoor space, preventing mildew is one of the most important things you can do to keep it looking nice and lasting for a long time. In this article, I’ll talk about how important it is to clean your deck and give you some tips on how to keep mildew from growing on your outdoor surfaces. Grab a cup of coffee, take a seat, and let’s get started!
Understanding Mildew Growth on Outdoor Surfaces
Mildew is a type of mold or fungus that can grow on the surface of biological materials like wood, wicker, and cotton.
It is often used as a general term for mold growth, which tends to spread out flat.
Mildew is usually black or gray, and it can grow on both flat and tall surfaces outside.
It can grow so slowly that you might not notice it until it turns the surface a different color or makes it hard to walk on, especially when the surface is wet.
Mildew often grows on the walls of showers, on window sills, and in other damp places.
What Causes Mildew Growth on Outdoor Surfaces?
Mildew grows in places where there is a lot of water.
When it comes to outdoor surfaces, this could be moisture from rain, the air, or even water that you add to the surroundings.
Once a spore from an existing mildew colony lands on a damp organic surface, the mold will start to grow and spread very quickly.
Mildew can grow along the surface of a material instead of up and out, which can make it easier to get rid of.
How to Remove Mildew from Outdoor Surfaces?
There are many good items that can be used to get rid of mildew on outdoor surfaces, such as ultra-concentrated oxygen bleach, which cleans well and gets rid of stains as well.
Mold and mildew can be killed with mildewcides.
Sweeping up dirt on walkways can help get rid of some food sources and make the floor safer to walk on.
On wood and other hardy materials, you can use stronger cleaners to get rid of mildew on outdoor furniture.
Mildew on outdoor surfaces needs to be cleaned up as soon as possible.
If left alone, mildew can quickly turn into a full-blown mold outbreak that can damage wood and siding.
With the right tools and regular cleaning, you can get rid of mildew on your outdoor surfaces and get back to sitting and not working outside.
Preventing Mildew Growth on Outdoor Surfaces
Mold and mildew can grow on surfaces outside when it rains or there is a lot of wetness.
Debris like leaves and pine needles can build up on decks and block the sun from reaching the surface of the wood.
This makes algae, mold, and mildew very likely to grow there.
If trees or a house naturally shade a deck, sweeping may not be enough.
It may need a good clean once a year to keep algae and moss from taking over.
Moisture can also be a problem.
If water pools in certain places on a deck, mold and mildew can grow there.
Mold and mildew can grow on wood decks and cause a number of problems, like making the deck look bad and making it slippery, which can be dangerous to walk on when wet.
Mold and mildew can be cleaned off of wood before it does any damage, and some deck colors are even more likely to grow mold than others.
Mold is a fungus that looks like greenish-black lines on wood.
Untreated mold spores can make people and pets sick if they breathe them in.
It is important to keep outdoor areas clean and dry to stop mold and mildew from growing on them.
Sweeping or blowing garbage off a deck can help keep it from getting too dirty and becoming a place where mold and mildew can grow.
It’s also important to get rid of water on a deck’s surface, especially in places where water likes to pool.
When cleaning outdoor areas, it’s important to find a way to clean that won’t blast harsh chemicals into the air and hurt the environment.
Deck Maintenance: A Crucial Step in Preventing Mildew on Outdoor Surfaces
If you’re looking to keep your outdoor surfaces clean and free of mildew, then deck maintenance is a crucial step that you can’t afford to overlook.
Your deck is one of the most vulnerable areas of your outdoor space, as it’s constantly exposed to the elements and can easily become a breeding ground for mildew and other types of mold.
To prevent mildew from taking hold on your deck, you need to make sure that it’s properly maintained.
This means regularly cleaning and sealing your deck to protect it from moisture and other environmental factors that can contribute to mildew growth.
By taking the time to properly maintain your deck, you’ll not only keep it looking great, but you’ll also be doing your part to prevent mildew from spreading to other areas of your outdoor space.
So, if you want to keep your outdoor surfaces clean and mildew-free, make sure that deck maintenance is at the top of your to-do list.
For more information:
Deck Maintenance 101: Cleaning & Care Tips
Preventing and Cleaning Mildew on Outdoor Surfaces
Preventing Mildew Growth
Mildew can grow on dirty, wet surfaces outside, so it’s important to keep them clean and dry.
Mildew can also grow on wet leaves, so raking and getting rid of fallen leaves can help stop that.
Mold and mildew can’t grow on patios if you spray them with a copper solution that soaks into the top surface of the concrete steps.
Mold can’t grow in your home if you keep the humidity level as low as possible, at no more than 50% all day long.
You can keep the amount low with an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.
At a home improvement shop, you can buy a meter to measure the humidity in your home.
Cleaning Mildew on Outdoor Surfaces
Mildew can be cleaned off of outdoor objects in a number of ways.
Bleach is one option that works.
To use bleach, mix 1 cup of chlorine bleach with 2 gallons of water and use a stiff or wire brush to scrub hard.
After scrubbing, give the area a good rinse.
White vinegar is another good option.
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar, spray the damaged areas well, and scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush.
Out in the sun, let the surface dry all the way through.
Repeat the process as many times as you need to until all of the mildew spores are gone.
Commercial Mildew Removers
There are also mold removers you can buy that can be used on surfaces inside and outside.
RMR-86 Instant Mold & Mildew Stain cleaner is an extra-strong mildew cleaner that can be used on non-porous surfaces in your bathroom, kitchen, and other damp places around your home.
Iosso Mold & Mildew Stain Remover is another industrial cleaner that can be used to get rid of mildew on vinyl, canvas, sails, plastic, wood, carpeting, fiberglass, and painted surfaces.
When using store-bought cleaners, it’s important to follow the safety and storage instructions given by the maker.
Identifying Mildew
It’s important to know what mildew and other kinds of mold look like so you can figure out how to treat the problem and where it’s coming from.
Mildew is a type of fungus that grows in damp, warm, and wet places.
It can show up as spots that are black, gray, or white.
If you see any coloring or growth on your outdoor surfaces, you need to act right away to stop mildew from spreading.
Maintaining Cleanliness of Outdoor Surfaces
Preventing Mold and Mildew Growth
To stop mold and mildew from growing on objects outside, humidity levels must be kept low, at no more than 50%.
Low humidity can be helped by an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.
Also, it’s important to dry out places and things that got wet within 24–48 hours.
If mold or mildew is already there, it can be cleaned off hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution made with no more than 1 cup of home laundry bleach and 1 gallon of water.
Regular Cleaning
Mold and mildew can’t grow on outdoor surfaces if they are cleaned regularly.
Gold Eagle suggests using their 303® Mold/Mildew Cleaner + Blocker every 4 to 6 weeks or as needed to keep mildew from growing on vinyl flooring.
Wet & Forget Outdoor is another product that can be used to clean and keep mold and mildew from growing on outdoor surfaces.
How long Wet & Forget Outdoor takes to work varies on how bad the contamination is, but most of the time, results can be seen within a few days.
Removing Sources of Shade
Getting rid of sources of shade can also stop mildew and mold from growing on surfaces outside.
You can use power washing to clean outdoor areas, but you need to be careful not to damage the surface.
Natural Remedies
Mold and mildew can grow on outdoor surfaces, but there are a number of natural ways to stop it and get rid of it.
Vinegar is one of the most effective natural ways to get rid of mold and mildew.
Vinegar is a weak acid that can kill up to 82% of known molds and help stop future outbreaks.
To use vinegar, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar that hasn’t been watered down and spray the moldy area until it’s completely wet.
Let it sit for an hour, then use a clean towel to remove the mold.
For tougher spots, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two cups of water and spray it on the mold.
Then, use a brush or scouring pad to scrub it clean.
Hydrogen peroxide is another natural way to get rid of mold and mildew that works well.
It can kill mold because it kills fungi and germs.
Pour a quarter of a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle with water, and then spray the affected area.
Use a scrub brush to get rid of the baking soda residue and mold from each area when you’re done.
Essential oils like tea tree oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, or thyme oil can also kill mold germs and keep them from coming back.
In a spray bottle, mix a teaspoon of the oil you want with a cup of water.
Let the solution dry for an hour after spraying, then wipe it off with a clean towel.
Lemons are a common home item that can be used to get rid of mold and leave surfaces clean.
To use this method, get the juice from a few lemons and pour it on the area that hurts.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a brush or sponge to scrub the area and wash it off with water.
Mold and mildew can also grow on outdoor surfaces that aren’t cleaned regularly, especially in damp, moist places like the basement, kitchen, and bathroom.
Cleaning these places regularly with natural anti-mold products can help stop this from happening.
Tools and Equipment for Cleaning Outdoor Surfaces
Cleaning surfaces outside can be hard, but with the right tools and supplies, it can be easy and take less time.
Here are some of the most important tools and supplies for cleaning outdoor areas.
Pressure Washer
A pressure washer is one of the most popular ways to clean surfaces outside.
It can be used to clean outdoor equipment, decks, patios, and wood furniture of dirt and grime.
For pressure washing, you also need pressure cleaning hoses, wands, and tips.
Garden Hose
You also need a garden hose to clean outdoor areas.
They can be used to rinse away dirt and waste before pressure washing or to water plants and grass after cleaning.
Ladders and Tarps
For cleaning outdoor areas, you will also need different sizes and shapes of ladders and different types and sizes of tarps.
You can use them to reach high places and keep cleaning solutions from getting on the ground.
Brushes
Outdoor objects should also be cleaned with brushes of different shapes and sizes.
For gentle cleaning, you need a brush with soft bristles, and for tougher cleaning, you need a brush with nylon bristles.
Cleaning Products
When cleaning outdoor surfaces, it’s important to use cleaning products that won’t hurt the surfaces or tools you’re trying to clean and disinfect.
Surface-cleaning brushes should be made of cotton or microfiber, and they should be different colors to help keep track of what they are for.
Some facilities may also have access to more advanced tools, like floor scrubbers or vacuum cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) screens.
Surface Cleaners
Surface cleaners can be used to quickly and effectively clean big areas of outdoor surfaces that need to be pressure washed.
These cleaners connect to a pressure washer and have spinning nozzles that clean surfaces evenly and without streaks.
Essential Cleaning Tools
There are some cleaning tools that every home should have, like sponges, dish towels, microfiber cloths, a squeegee, a vacuum, a bucket, a spray bottle, and a scrub brush.
There are also special tools and equipment needed to clean outdoor surfaces.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you don’t clean properly, mold and mildew can grow on outdoor surfaces like decks, gardens, and wooden furniture.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when cleaning outdoor areas to stop mildew growth:
- Using harsh cleaning solutions: Using a solution that is too harsh or abrasive can seriously damage the finish on your deck, making it more prone to mildew growth. Instead, use a gentle cleaning solution, such as a mix of 1:1 white vinegar and water.
- Using the wrong tools: Using the wrong tools, such as a pressure washer, can damage the surface of your deck or patio, making it more susceptible to mildew growth. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush or a mop to clean the surface.
- Not protecting plants: Harsh cleaning solutions can damage plants and grass around your deck or patio. To avoid this, cover plants and grass with plastic sheeting before cleaning.
- Forgetting to dry the surface: Leaving the surface wet after cleaning can create a damp environment that is ideal for mildew growth. Make sure to dry the surface thoroughly after cleaning.
- Ignoring the root cause of the problem: Mildew growth is often caused by excess moisture. To prevent mildew growth, fix any leaks or drainage issues that may be causing excess moisture.
By not doing these common things, you can clean outdoor surfaces well and stop mildew from growing.
Getting outdoor surfaces clean can be easy and take less time if you have the right tools and supplies.
Safety Measures for Cleaning Outdoor Surfaces
Promote Airflow
To stop mildew from growing on outdoor surfaces, the first step is to let more air in.
Homeowners should cut back the plants and other plants around their house to stop water from building up.
Trees or plants that hang over the house can create shade and trap moisture against the outside walls, which can make mold grow.
Fix Leaks
The second step is to fix any leaks so that water won’t get inside.
Leaks can happen anywhere, like on roofs, in pipes, or around windows.
The owner of a house should check it often for leaks and fix them as soon as possible.
Power Wash
The third step is to use a power washer to clean the dirt, dust, and other things off the outside of the house.
Power washing is a way to clean things by spraying them with water under high pressure.
A power washer can be rented or bought and used to clean the outside of a house.
Keep Humidity Levels Low
To stop mold from growing, people should keep the humidity in their homes as low as possible, no more than 50%, all day long.
The amount can be kept low with the help of an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.
A meter to measure the humidity in a home can be bought at a store that sells home improvements.
Clean with Mold-Killing Products
Homeowners should also clean their bathrooms with products that kill mold and get rid of or replace wet rugs and furniture that can’t be dried right away.
If mildew has already grown on outdoor surfaces, they can be cleaned thoroughly with bleach and water to get rid of it.
They should use a stiff brush, hot water, and a soap or wash that doesn’t contain ammonia to scrub all moldy surfaces.
They should use a wet/dry vacuum, mop, or sponge to pick up the used liquid, then rinse the area with clean water and dry it well.
Lastly, they should clean the wall, ceiling, or floor again with a mixture of liquid chlorine bleach and water to kill any germs.
Follow Guidelines
Homeowners should follow some rules when cleaning outdoor areas to make sure they are safe and stop mildew from growing.
First, when cleaning up the impacted areas, they should wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles.
Second, they should never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners for the house.
Third, when they use bleach or any other cleaning product, they should always follow the directions on the package.
Fourth, they should open doors and windows to let fresh air in.
Eliminate Moisture
To stop mold from growing on outdoor surfaces, homeowners should get rid of water to make their home an unfriendly place for it to grow.
They should use air coolers or dehumidifiers to keep their home’s humidity level between 30% and 60%.
They should also keep up with their roof and gutters so that water doesn’t leak into their home.
Gutters should not be full of leaves and other trash.
People shouldn’t put rugs in damp places like basements or bathrooms, and they shouldn’t let water collect under houseplants.
Scrub and Dry
To get rid of mold growth on outdoor surfaces, homes should scrub them with a stiff brush, hot water, and a household detergent.
They should get any cleaning product and wait at least 30 minutes before wiping the surfaces down with water.
They should dry the area fully and stay on the lookout for signs of mold growth or moisture problems.
If mold comes back, they should fix the water problem and go through the steps of cleaning again.
Final analysis and implications
In conclusion, you can’t just keep your deck clean and dry to keep mildew away. It’s about knowing how your outdoor surfaces are affected by the world around you. You have to be proactive and take the steps needed to protect your wealth. But most of all, it’s about being able to enjoy your outdoor area without worrying about mildew and other things that don’t look good.
So, when you clean your deck the next time, take a moment to think about the bigger picture. Think about how the weather is in your area, how much shade your deck gets, and what kind of plants are around it. By doing this, you will be able to make your cleaning schedule fit your needs better.
Remember that there is no one way to stop mildew from growing. It takes a little bit of trial and error and the ability to change as things change. But if you put in a little work and have a lot of patience, you can keep your deck looking great for many years.
So, go ahead and make the most of your outdoor room. And don’t forget to look after it as you go. Good luck cleaning!
Looking for a new Pressure washer?
Choosing a gadget can be very difficult if you know nothing about the technology.
Some will pay for features they do not need while others may not consider what they really want.
So I created this quick, newbie guide to help you focus on what is really important to you:
The Best Pressure Washer (For You!)
What are some ways you can keep the outside of a house clean?
Tip: Turn on the caption button if you need it.
Choose ‘automatic translation’ in the settings button, if you are not familiar with the English language.
You may need to click on the language of the video first before your favorite language becomes available for translation.
Links and references
My article on the topic:
Deck Cleaning 101: Tips, Tools & Solutions
Note for my reference: (Article status: preliminary)
