How To Clean Your Deck For Staining

aerial view of a stylish town garden with wooden decking area, two metal square flower containers of lavender, sun umbrella, cafe table and chair

Linda Burgess Getty Images

Wooden decking needs regular care to keep it looking good and, before you get your patio garden furniture out of storage, this is the time to get rid of dirt and mould that's accumulated over winter. Follow this easy how to clean decking guide to get it bright and fresh for summer.

If the winter's been particularly harsh, you may have to refinish the wood after cleaning. Check by pouring a little water onto the surface of the decking – if it doesn't sit on the surface in beads then it's definitely time to refinish.

What is refinishing? Repairing or reapplying the wood finishing on an object. The process involves stripping away paint or old finish, sanding, and applying a coat of paint or stain.

1. PREPARE THE SURFACE

Start by sweeping away debris and loose dirt with a stiff brush.

2. GET RID OF DIRT

Washing will remove moss, mould and algae. Use a solution that dilutes in water, such as Ronseal Decking Cleaner or Liberon Tough Deck Clean and Revive, or a mix of bleach and warm water (but don't let this sit on the surface). Apply with a cloth, or, on an especially dirty area, use a brush.

3. STAIN AND FINISH

Once the decking's clean and dry, use a decking oil to coat it. This will penetrate the wood and give a hint of colour. A five-litre tin covers 50 square metres with two coats. To brighten the colour, apply two coats of decking stain, which will give a semi-transparent matt finish and waterproof protection.

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18 garden furniture sets perfect for your outdoor space

Best Colourful Furniture

Salsa 4-Seat Round Garden Table & Chairs Set, Coral

House by John Lewis

£399.00

A pop of colour is a must in the garden and we're obsessed with this coral design from John Lewis' garden furniture collection. As part of the retailer's Salsa range, the four-seater dining table and chairs set is both durable and weather-resistant, thanks to its steel and rattan construction, so you can even leave it outside throughout the year.

Best For Style

Natural rattan side table and 2 chairs set

Tap into the rattan trend with this super stylish side table with 2 chairs. Perfect for small gardens and balconies, the chairs have a deep seat, which is ideal for relaxing.

Best For Dining

Santa Rosa 6 Piece Outdoor Dining Set

Relax in style with this 6-piece dining set. With steel frames and a wave glass table top, this is strong and sturdy and the chairs can be folded for easy storage. It also comes with a parasol to shield you from the sun's glare.

Responsibly Sourced

Portside Garden Folding Bistro Set

We love this rustic, weathered grey solid wood garden furniture set. The bench-style table and accompanying seats are all foldable too, so they can be easily stowed away when not in use. Even better, it's FSC-certified.

Best Feature

Ruxley 6 Seat Dining Set and Round Firepit Table

A key feature of this dining set is the round dining table which boasts a large gas fire pit in the centre. It's great for using well into the evening, adding light and heat to your outside space.

Good Value For Money

Miami 5 Piece Lounger Set

Sleek, stylish and good value for money, this set of 2 comfortable armchairs with adjustable backrests, 2 footstools, and a coordinating side table, will help you to kick back and relax.

Best For Entertaining

St Mawes Drinks/Planter Bar Table

Looking to elevate your garden and transform it into an alfresco dining hotspot? This bar table is a great place to start. Small enough to fit into even the most compact of spaces and crafted in weatherproof teak, we especially love the galvanised steel trough that can be filled with ice and drinks or small plants.

Best For Compact Spaces

Parc Yellow metal folding garden table and 4 chairs set

No other colour will bring a bigger smile to your face, so there's no better way to brighten up your garden than with a pop of yellow. This set is great for compact spaces as you can fold the table and chair.

Ideal For Patios

Rope Cube 8 Seater Patio Set

Kit out your patio for all the family with this lovely outdoor set from Argos' garden furniture collection. With a glass table top and 4 chairs and 4 stools all neatly tucked under the table, it won't clutter your outdoor space either.

For Design Lovers

Tice Garden Dining Bench set, Grey

This design by MADE is incredibly sleek. With a minimalist, streamlined look, it's perfect for any contemporary garden.

Best for Relaxing

Garden Rattan Furniture 3 PC Sun Lounger Recliner Bed

Outsunny

If you want to bring holiday vibes straight to your garden, this outdoor sun lounger set is a good start. It also comes with a side table to prop your drinks on. For ease, the loungers have wheels at the head, making them easy to move.

Best Sofa Set

Mini Corner Sofa Set with Storage

Looking to kick back and relax in your garden? Argos is selling this hand-woven, rattan effect mini corner sofa set with a cushion-top table that doubles as a footrest. Plus, it's a bargain.

Best For Cottage Gardens

Devon Round Bistro Set, Bronze

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Best Budget Garden Furniture

Hawaii 3 Piece Bistro Set

With a round tempered glass top table and 2 PVC coated sunshine yellow polyester chairs, this compact bistro set has been designed for quick and easy assembly.

Best for Modern Gardens

Sydney Sofa Set

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Best Luxury Garden Furniture

Aldegonde 5 Seater Rattan Sofa Set

If you've got space for a garden sofa set, invest in one like this. The curved design is the real selling point here and it's great for entertaining. Aside from the sofa segments, the set includes 1 coffee table, 5 back cushions, 5 seat cushions and 5 pillows.

Best For Picnic Parties

Mead Garden Bench Set, Graphite Blue

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