Tip of the week: How to spruce up an outdoor deck

Clean it. Regular staining lengthens the life of a wooden deck. To prepare the surface, clean it with a gentle, carbonate-based detergent, such as OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder or regular Tide powder without bleach. Dissolve a quarter cup of the detergent per gallon of hot water, letting the solution sit for 15 minutes. Hose the deck down before applying the solution with a pump sprayer. Scrub the dirt off with a push broom and rinse.

Stain away. Choose a semitransparent stain with microreflectors or a full-body stain with added color: “These stains prevent cracks and blisters and block damaging UV rays.” Use a 6-inch microfiber brush and coat one board at a time to avoid overlap marks. Follow the label’s instructions about applying a second coat, and plan to wait 8 to 72 hours before using the deck again.

Source: Men’s Health

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