How long does it take to clean a deck?
How long does it take to clean a deck?
One of the most common reasons deck maintenance gets postponed is not lack of knowledge – but lack of time. Many people imagine a full-day project involving heavy equipment, sore backs and soaked clothes. In reality, it is often the opposite.
Cleaning and soaping a deck is one of the most time-efficient ways to care for outdoor wood, especially compared to oiling, sanding or pressure washing.
Below, we explain how long it actually takes, what affects the timeline and how to plan the work efficiently. If you want the full method step by step, you’ll find it here: How to clean and recondition your deck – step by step.
The short answer
For most decks, it takes 1–2 hours of active work to:
- Clean the surface
- Rinse thoroughly
- Apply the main treatment (if done the same day or later)
The rest is drying time – not work.
What determines how long it takes?
Four main factors influence the timeline:
- The size of the deck
- How dirty it is
- Whether it has been maintained regularly
- Whether cleaning and main treatment are done on the same day or separately
Typical time estimates
Small to medium deck (20–40 m² / 215–430 sq ft)
- Sweeping and preparation: 10–15 minutes
- Soaking the surface: 5 minutes
- Cleaning with soap: 20–30 minutes
- Rinsing: 10–15 minutes
Total active work: approx. 45–60 minutes
Main treatment (once dry): additional 20–30 minutes
Average residential deck (40–70 m² / 430–750 sq ft)
- Preparation: 15–20 minutes
- Soaking: 5–10 minutes
- Cleaning: 30–45 minutes
- Rinsing: 15–20 minutes
Total active work: approx. 1–1.5 hours
Main treatment (later): approx. 30–40 minutes
Larger or neglected deck (70–100+ m² / 750+ sq ft)
- Preparation and soaking: 20–30 minutes
- Initial cleaning: 45–60 minutes
- Second pass on exposed areas (if needed): 20–30 minutes
- Rinsing: 20 minutes
Total active work: 1.5–2.5 hours
Main treatment: additional 45–60 minutes
Why soaping is faster than expected
There are three main reasons deck soaping feels manageable once you begin:
- You work with long, steady strokes
- The method is forgiving – perfection is not required
- No heavy machines need to be set up or cleaned afterwards
Unlike oiling, there is no stage where you must:
- Wait for exact moisture levels
- Wipe off excess meticulously
- Worry about uneven absorption
The soap distributes evenly on its own.
Can you split the work?
Absolutely – and it is often the smartest approach.
A common and effective setup is:
- Day 1: Cleaning and rinsing
- Day 2 (or later): Main treatment on a dry surface
Each stage is short, and neither requires blocking off an entire day.
How does this compare to other methods?
Soaping: Short active work time, low physical strain, easy to repeat
Oiling: Quick application but longer waiting time, higher risk of uneven finish
Pressure washing: Fast initially, but often leads to additional work and more frequent maintenance
Over several seasons, soaping typically requires the least total time.
A helpful shift in mindset
Many people who switch to regular soaping say the same thing after a few seasons:
“This isn’t a project – it’s just a routine.”
When the deck is maintained consistently, each treatment takes less time than the previous one. Dirt releases more easily, the surface stays more even and heavy restoration work becomes unnecessary.
Summary – it’s easier than you think
For most households:
- Under one hour for cleaning
- Under one hour for the main treatment
- No special tools required
- No stress
If you want to make deck care even easier over time, follow a simple yearly rhythm here: How often should you soap your deck? The complete yearly plan.
The hardest part is often starting. Once you begin, it tends to feel calm and satisfying rather than overwhelming.