Common mistakes when caring for decking – and how to avoid them

Common deck care mistakes – and how to avoid them

A deck is durable, but not indestructible. Many common problems – stains, cracks, uneven color and algae growth – are not caused by the weather, but by how the deck has been maintained. The good news is that most mistakes are easy to avoid once you understand why they happen.

Below, we go through the most common errors people make when caring for their decks – and what to do instead to achieve a surface that stays beautiful year after year.

If you’re looking for a clear, step-by-step method that delivers even results without damaging the wood, you’ll find it here: How to clean and recondition your deck – step by step.

1. Pressure washing – the most common mistake

Many people use a pressure washer because it’s fast. But speed comes at a cost.

Pressure washing:

  • Damages the wood grain
  • Forces dirt deeper into the surface
  • Makes the deck rough and harder to keep clean
  • Shortens the lifespan of the wood

In just one season, the surface can become so raised that it absorbs dirt like a sponge.

Do this instead:
Use a garden hose and overfatted deck soap. Soap lifts dirt from the surface without damaging the grain.

2. Cleaning in direct sunlight

If soapy water dries before you have time to brush and rinse, the result can become uneven. This often leads to patchy or streaked surfaces.

Do this instead:

  • Work in shade or on a cloudy day
  • Clean small sections at a time to keep the surface wet

3. Using harsh chemicals

Dish soap, degreasers and strong cleaning agents may dissolve dirt, but they also strip the wood of its natural oils. The result is a dry, brittle surface that is more prone to cracking.

Do this instead:
Use overfatted deck soap – it cleans and reconditions in the same step.

4. Letting the surface dry during cleaning

Some people start scrubbing, get interrupted and continue later when the surface has dried. This allows dirt to settle deeper into the grain.

Do this instead:
Soak the deck thoroughly before you begin and keep the surface evenly moist throughout the process.

5. Brushing across the grain

Scrubbing back and forth across the wood grain raises the surface and makes the deck more vulnerable to dirt and moisture.

Do this instead:
Always brush along the direction of the grain. This creates a cleaner, more even surface and improves durability.

6. Oiling wood that should be soaped

Many people oil their deck out of habit, but modern pressure-treated wood does not always benefit from it.

Oil can:

  • Form a surface film
  • Break down unevenly
  • Attract dirt as it ages
  • Create patchy discoloration

Do this instead:
Use deck soap – especially on pressure-treated decking. The wood can breathe, the surface becomes more even and maintenance becomes easier.

7. Skipping the reconditioning step

Many people clean their deck but skip the after-treatment. This often leads to:

  • Dried-out fibers
  • Increased cracking
  • A rough, uneven surface that attracts dirt

When wood is cleaned without being reconditioned, the grain is left unprotected and ages more harshly over time.

Do this instead:
Apply the main treatment with overfatted deck soap once the surface is dry. This step restores the wood’s softness, durability and even tone.

8. Not rinsing thoroughly enough

Residual soap mixed with dirt can create a sticky or uneven surface that attracts dust.

Do this instead:
Rinse until the water runs completely clear. An extra pass with the hose is never wasted.

9. Waiting too long between treatments

If the deck is only maintained every three or four years, the work becomes heavier and the result rarely satisfactory.

Do this instead:

  • Spring – thorough cleaning and main treatment
  • Summer – light maintenance
  • Autumn – final cleaning before winter

With this rhythm, the deck stays genuinely fresh – not just temporarily clean.

Summary – deck care is simple when done correctly

Most mistakes come from rushing, using the wrong tools or following outdated habits. Wood is forgiving when treated properly.

When you skip pressure washing, avoid harsh chemicals and instead use overfatted deck soap, three things happen:

  • The deck becomes cleaner
  • The surface lasts longer
  • Maintenance becomes easier each year

A deck that is treated correctly does not just age more slowly – it ages more beautifully.

KLARA overfatted deck soap

KLARA’s Swedish-made linseed oil deck soap is developed to prevent the problems described above. Gentle, effective and designed for modern Nordic outdoor decks.