The Best Deck Cleaners of 2023

Don't want to put in a lot of elbow grease? Consider Wet & Forget Outdoor Cleaner Concentrate. A liquid concentrate that dilutes with water, it doesn't require any scrubbing, mopping, or even rinsing. It dilutes at a 1:5 (cleaner to water) ratio, is safe for use on walkways and most types of siding, and the 1-gallon jug will treat up to 2,250 square feet.

I tested Wet & Forget using a pump-type garden sprayer (a deck brush or a hose-end sprayer can also be employed). I didn't apply it to a new test board as in my other tests because it contains mildewcide, and the new decking boards didn't have any mold. Fortunately, I located some mold growth and discoloration on the foundation of a neighbor's well house, and my neighbor was only too happy to let me test the product there (provided I sprayed the entire well house foundation!).

I waited until a bright morning with no rain forecast and sprayed the foundation thoroughly, following the instructions to let the solution soak in for up to 5 hours. Later that afternoon I returned and found the previously mold-darkened areas to look light and powdery. I used a stiff dry brush to remove the powder, and the concrete blocks beneath looked clean, with no dark or stained areas. To be sure, I went back a few days later, after it had rained, and the foundation was still free of mold. My neighbor and I were both impressed, though we don't know yet how long the treatment will keep the mold at bay.

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Get the Wet & Forget deck cleaner at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.