Clean Decking Lasts Longer. Grime Is What Kills It.
Regular deck cleaning is the cheapest way to protect the deck you own. Mildew, algae, and moss trap moisture against the boards, and the grey oxidized layer on weathered wood breaks the surface down under San Diego sun and the marine layer. A yearly wash lifts that growth and grime before it does lasting damage.
Cleaning is only safe when the method matches the surface. We use pressure washing on sound wood and soft washing, low pressure with cleaners and brighteners, on composite and delicate boards. Wrong pressure gouges wood and fuzzes the grain. With 15+ years and a certified crew, we clean every deck the right way — and leave it ready for stain or sealer.
More Related Services
Explore the other deck services we offer — one local crew for the full life of your deck.
Deck Surfaces We Clean
Each decking material takes a different cleaning method and pressure. Wood handles pressure washing; composite and PVC need gentle soft washing. Here's how they compare.
| Material | Look | Durability | Maintenance | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Wood | Classic, paintable | Good | High (seal yearly) | Budget |
| Redwood / Cedar | Warm, natural grain | Very good | Medium | Standard |
| Composite (Trex / TimberTech) | Wood-look, many colors | Excellent | Very low | Standard |
| PVC (Azek) | Modern, uniform | Excellent | Lowest | Premium |
| IPE Hardwood | Rich, dense, luxe | Outstanding | Medium (oil) | Premium |
Note: composite & PVC clean up with low-pressure soft washing and mild cleaners, no grey to fight. Wood like redwood or IPE takes a careful pressure wash plus a brightener to pull the grey out. We match the method and pressure to your boards so nothing gets etched or fuzzed.
What Deck Cleaning Removes From Your Boards
A proper wash strips away years of build-up and preps your deck for stain or seal.
Mildew & mold
Black and green mildew that grows in shade and the coastal marine layer.
Algae & moss
Slippery green algae and moss that make boards unsafe to walk on.
Dirt & grime
Ground-in dirt, pollen, and grime from foot traffic and weather.
Grey oxidation
The dull grey oxidized layer on weathered wood, washed back to fresh board.
Stains & tannin
Leaf stains, rust marks, and tannin bleed pulled out with brighteners.
Prep for finishing
A clean, open surface so stain and sealer actually bond and last.
How We Clean Your Deck
Four clear steps, one accountable team. It starts with a call.
Consultation & Free Estimate
We walk your deck or do a quick video call, check the boards and how dirty they are, and give you a clear written estimate with a free, no-obligation price.
Inspection & Test Area
We identify your decking, choose pressure washing or soft washing, and test a small area to set the safest pressure, tip, and cleaner for your surface.
Wash — With Regular Updates
Our certified crew washes the full deck, stairs, and railings, applies a brightener to pull grey out where needed, and keeps your property tidy. Most decks finish in a day.
Final Walkthrough & Satisfaction
We walk the finished deck with you, confirm a clean, even, streak-free surface ready for stain or seal, and back the work with our lifetime workmanship warranty.
How Much Does Deck Cleaning Cost?
Straight answer: deck cleaning runs about $1–$3 per square foot, so most decks land around $200–$600. Where you land depends on size, how dirty it is, and whether we prep for stain or seal. Here's the honest breakdown.
Straightforward wash of a sound, ground-level wood deck with light dirt.
Deep clean with brightener on weathered, mildewed, or grey wood decks.
Soft-wash of delicate composite or large decks, plus full prep for stain or seal.
| Cost factor | What drives it |
|---|---|
| Deck Size | Total square footage is the main driver — most decks land around $200–$600. |
| Level of Soiling | Heavy mildew, algae, moss, and grey oxidation take more passes to lift. |
| Surface Type | Wood takes pressure washing; composite and PVC need gentle soft washing. |
| Prep for Finishing | Brightening and neutralizing when we prep the surface for stain or sealer. |
| Access & Detail | Stairs, railings, tight corners, and elevated decks add time. |
Certified Installer & Trusted Partners
Factory-certified for the industry's leading decking brands — so you get the full manufacturer warranty on top of ours.
Recent Decks We've Installed
What Homeowners Say
“Their design ideas helped us create an amazing 30-foot deck. The crew was professional, communicative and always on time.”
“Finished in a week and the price was fair and honest. The composite deck looks better than we imagined.”
“From estimate to final walkthrough they handled everything, including permits. Stunning result and zero stress.”
Deck Cleaning Questions, Answered
How much does deck cleaning cost?+
Deck cleaning costs about $1–$3 per square foot, so most decks run $200–$600. Size, how dirty the deck is, and whether we prep for stain or sealer set the final number. You get an exact price in your free estimate.
What's the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?+
Pressure washing blasts off dirt and grey with high water pressure, while soft washing uses low pressure plus cleaners to lift mildew and algae. We use pressure washing on sound wood and soft washing on composite and delicate boards, so the surface never gets etched or fuzzed.
Will power washing damage my deck?+
No, not when it's done correctly. Too much pressure or the wrong tip can gouge wood and fuzz the grain, so we set the pressure and tip for your surface and test a small area first. Composite and delicate boards get low-pressure soft washing instead.
Can you remove mildew, algae, moss, and grey oxidation?+
Yes. Our cleaning process lifts mildew, algae, moss, dirt, and the grey oxidized layer off weathered decks and brings the surface back to a clean, bright board. We use brighteners when a deck needs extra help pulling grey out.
Do I need to clean my deck before staining or sealing?+
Yes. Stain and sealer only bond to a clean, sound surface, so cleaning is the first step before any finish. We clean, brighten when needed, and can handle the stain or seal right after.
How often should I have my deck cleaned in San Diego?+
Once a year keeps most San Diego decks free of mildew and grey. Wash the deck 1–2 times a year, closer to twice for shaded, coastal, or heavily used decks. The marine layer feeds algae and mildew on decks that stay damp.
Deck Cleaning Across San Diego County
We serve 100+ ZIP codes from the coast to East County. Find your neighborhood below.
Coastal
Central & South Bay
Ready for a Clean, Bright Deck? Let's Talk.
Tell us about your deck and we'll send a free, no-obligation estimate, usually within a day. Every deck we clean is backed by our lifetime workmanship warranty, and financing is available.
Call (619) 901-2887