Care & Cleaning

How to Clean Duradek Vinyl Decking

With a vinyl deck surface, your deck maintenance is virtually non-existent.

To keep your deck looking its best and to make sure you take care of the homeowner responsibilities that protect your warranty coverage, there are just two things you have to do…

1 – Seasonal cleaning
2 – Annual inspection

Vinyl Deck Maintenance – General Cleaning

To look its best, your vinyl deck should be cleaned 4 times per year using the Duradek Vinyl Cleaner. This environmentally safe cleaner is available from your authorized Duradek Dealer or Distributor, Duradek Headquarters, or order online from Amazon (Amazon.ca | Amazon.com). It is designed specifically for vinyl and will NOT leave a harmful chemical residue as many household cleaners may.

It is best to wipe spills or soiled areas right away rather than wait until you are washing your whole deck. Places like under barbecues (grease), hanging baskets (soil chemical run-off), or bird cages (organic matter) can be more difficult to deal with if left for extended periods.

Step 1 – Simply follow the directions on the label. Start with warm water and a stiff broom, scrubbing in a circular motion to loosen the dirt. The textured surface is ideal for slip resistance but does provide a place for dirt to settle, so the circular scrubbing motion will help pull that out.

Step 2 – Then spray with a garden hose (under pressure) to wash away the loose dirt. You may also use a pressure washer with a setting of no more than 1500 psi (max) and hold the nozzle 12 inches from the surface. Be careful to avoid seams, railing attachments, caulking or house trims.

Step 3Flush thoroughly with clean water. This is a very important step of deck maintenance as you do not want any remaining residue on the deck surface. The sunshine can cause a reaction with cleaning agents on your vinyl deck surface so it is important to rinse your deck thoroughly of all cleaner residue.

If acid rain or airborne pollution is a problem in your area, you may want to clean your deck more frequently. 

Where to Order Duradek Vinyl Deck Cleaner

Duradek Vinyl Deck Cleaner has been tested against other options and has proven it is the best method for cleaning your deck. There are several ways to order the Duradek cleaner.

#1 – Ask Your Local Duradek Dealer.

Most Duradek Applicating Companies will have Duradek vinyl deck cleaner on hand.

#2 – Call the Distribution Office Closest to You

In Canada:

In the United States:

#3 – Order Duradek Cleaner Online

  • Order From Amazon. If you don’t have a Duradek Dealer or Distribution office near you, you can order online. It is available from amazon.ca or amazon.com.
Amazon.ca order badge for Duradek vinyl deck cleaner in Canada
Duradek Vinyl Deck Cleaner available from Amazon.com

Note: Shipping costs may vary and tend to be more expensive when going to residential addresses.

Vinyl Deck Maintenance – Inspection

The only other deck maintenance for Duradek vinyl decks besides cleaning is your annual inspection. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to inspect the caulking used to seal around posts, pillars, corners, vents, drains, and any other area of the deck that has caulking.

Over time, the structure to which the vinyl sheeting is applied can crack, shrink or shift which can break the caulking seal. A yearly inspection will uncover such a problem and your Duradek contractor can recommend or supply the proper sealant to correct it.

Vinyl Deck Maintenance – Protection

To protect Duradek vinyl deck surfaces from scuffs or excessive wear, use non-rubber backed* mats (polypropylene ok) at doorways, stair landings, or major traffic thoroughfares. Select mats that are heavy enough not to blow away.

Avoid dragging heavy or sharp-edged objects on the vinyl surface as that can cause scuffs or tears and must be protected against.

* Rubber based products are not compatible with PVC.

Vinyl Deck Maintenance – Winter Considerations

Duradek easily withstands even the harshest winter conditions and common methods of snow and ice removal. It is fine to use a snow shovel, just be sure it is a plastic-edged shovel – not a metal edge. The use of snowblowers is not recommended as they are typically power-driven on tires or have a skid plate that may scratch the top of the vinyl.

Remember, like any walking surface, if Duradek is covered in ice it will be slippery. However, you can easily manage it with de-icing agents such as kitty litter (gravel style), rock salt or other snow-melting chemicals like you would on any other walking surface. Those items are completely safe to use on Duradek vinyl surfaces. Just be sure to clean the surface thoroughly with soap and water and rinse very thoroughly before the spring sun arrives which can ‘bake’ any remaining chemical residue into the Duradek membrane.

Vinyl Deck Maintenance – Cleaning Recommendations for Tough Stains

DURADEK VINYL CLEANER OFFERS THE BEST RESULTS – EVEN FOR TOUGH STAINS. These alternate cleaning solutions are an option for tough stains that our vinyl cleaner is unable to remove. If trying one of these options, there is a risk of leaving a residue that can affect the performance or appearance of your Duradek vinyl deck surface.

Caution

These options are to be done at your own risk and MUST be done when vinyl is cool to the touch and not in direct sunlight/peak heat of the day. If damage occurs during or as a result of the cleaning process, it is the owner’s responsibility to repair it. Always use cleaners as directed by the manufacturer, and always follow any cleaning with a flush of clean water.

Tough stains removal chart - Duradek

A: Apply warm, soapy water for a few minutes to let the chemical action of the cleaner begin to “loosen” the dirt. Scrub with a relatively stiff bristle scrub brush in a north-south direction for a few minutes. Scrub in an east-west direction for a few minutes. Rinse well with water and let dry.
B: FANTASTIK spray cleaner, Simple Green, or Formula 409 All-Purpose spray cleaner (only for a few minutes) water rinse/dry; or Cascade Powdered Dish Detergent with water, water rinse/dry.
C: One (1) tablespoon ammonia to one (1) quart water; water rinse/dry.
D: Wipe or scrape off excess (chill gum with ice).
E: Duradek Vinyl Cleaner gets the best results. Rust is very difficult to remove and should be cleaned immediately.
F: Sun exposure over time will fade this stain type.
G: One-third (1/3) cup powered household detergent, four (4) cups household liquid bleach, two-thirds (2/3) cup Trisodium Phosphate, Twelve (12) cups water; OR Clorox Outdoor bleach at One (1) part bleach to Six (6) parts water. Use rubber gloves with these options. Rinse well.
H. Citrus based engine cleaner, water rinse/dry.
I. Citrus based asphalt & tar remover, water rinse/dry.
J. Spray Aqua Net Hairspray directly onto the pitch or sap mark, then wipe off, water rinse well/dry with a lint-free cloth.
K. Apply a coating of hand sanitizer to the paint with enough coverage to keep the area moist for 5-15 minutes. Wipe it off with a rag or soft bristle brush. Re-apply as required; water rinse/dry.

* Suntan lotions, wet leaves, cedar, permanent markers, rubber and some other products contain dyes that permanently stain.

** Follow instructions of staining agent manufacturer.

Caution – Do not attempt to clean stains, paint or any blemish using any undiluted bleach, acetone, turpentine, lacquer thinner, ketone, acid or multipurpose stain or paint remover as you may cause removal of the vinyl print. Cleaning solutions must be dabbed, NOT rubbed. Clean well with cleanser and water, and then flush thoroughly with lots of clean water. Always test on an ‘out of the way’ place to ensure there will be no problems with the cleaning agent you’ve selected.

Useful Resources

Download: Care and Cleaning Guide
PDF
Download: Best Practices for Long Term Enjoyment
PDF
Download: Removing Mold from Duradek
PDF
Download: Winter Decking Considerations
PDF
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