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Quick answer: If I had to pick just one, it’s Wet & Forget. You spray it, you walk away, and the rain does the rest. Got grease or BBQ stains? Grab Oil Eater instead. Got pets or kids running around barefoot? Simple Green Oxy Solve is the safest bet.
You know that Saturday morning feeling. Coffee in hand. You step outside. And there it is. Green streaks. Black mildew spots. Your deck looks like it belongs in a swamp, not your backyard.
It’s not just ugly. It’s slippery too. And a little embarrassing when friends come over for a cookout.
I’ve cleaned a lot of decks over the years. And here’s what I’ve learned. The cleaner you pick matters more than most people think.
Some need scrubbing. Some need a pressure washer. Some you just spray and forget about. Let’s go through the five that are actually worth your money.
Quick Takeaways
- Wet & Forget — best if you hate scrubbing and don’t mind waiting a couple weeks
- Oil Eater — best for grease, oil, and BBQ stains
- Simple Green Oxy Solve — best if you have pets, kids, or a garden nearby
- STAR BRITE — best if your deck gets slippery when wet
- Kärcher — best if you already own a pressure washer
1. Wet & Forget Outdoor Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain Remover
This one’s for the lazy-but-smart crowd. And I say that as a compliment.
You mix it with water. Spray it on. Then leave it alone. No scrubbing. No rinsing. No pressure washer. Rain and wind do the work for you over the next week or two.
I helped a neighbor with this once. His deck had dark green streaks running along the shady side, right under a big oak tree. We sprayed it on a Sunday afternoon and pretty much forgot about it. Two weeks later, the green was gone. Like it was never there.
That’s the whole appeal here. Spray it and forget it.
Best for: Shaded decks that keep growing algae and mold, and anyone who wants a hands-off fix.
One thing to know: It’s slow. If your in-laws are coming this weekend, this won’t save you in time.
2. Oil Eater Original 1 Gallon Cleaner/Degreaser
Grilling season leaves marks. So do kids dropping popsicles and dads doing bike repairs on the deck. Grease stains are a whole different problem than mold, and Oil Eater handles them fast.
I used this once on a deck board with an old motorcycle chain lubricant stain. It had been sitting there for months. Regular cleaners barely touched it. Oil Eater lifted it out in one shot.
Bonus: it’s not just for decks. It works on driveways, siding, and garage floors too. One bottle, a lot of jobs.
Best for: Grease, oil, and food stains near the grill.
One thing to know: It’s built for grease, not mold. If algae is your main issue, this isn’t the right tool.
3. STAR BRITE Non-Skid Deck Cleaner & Protectant
This one’s got some of the best ratings out there, and for good reason. It doesn’t just clean. It leaves behind a light protective layer that helps guard against future stains and UV damage from the sun.
What really stands out is the non-skid part. A lot of deck cleaners leave a slippery film right after you use them. This one’s built to cut that down, which matters a lot if you’ve got older family members or little kids walking around barefoot.
Best for: Pool decks, boat decks, or any surface where slipping is a real worry.
One thing to know: It costs more than the basic cleaners. But that extra protection can be worth the price.
4. Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Pressure Washer Cleaner
This is the one I recommend most to families with dogs or barefoot kids running around. It’s oxygen-based, so it skips the harsh chemicals but still gets the job done. It even carries the EPA’s “Safer Choice” label, which tells you it’s genuinely mild.
A friend of mine has a little vegetable garden right next to her deck. She was terrified any cleaner would kill her tomato plants. We used Simple Green Oxy Solve, sprayed it carefully, rinsed like normal. Her garden was totally fine the next day.
That kind of peace of mind is worth more than people realize, until they’ve ruined their own landscaping with the wrong cleaner.
Best for: Pet owners, families with young kids, decks near gardens or grass.
One thing to know: Works best paired with a pressure washer, though you can apply it by hand too.
5. Kärcher Multi-Purpose Pressure Washer Detergent
Already got a pressure washer sitting in the garage? This one’s made for it. One bottle makes up to 20 gallons of cleaning solution, so it lasts through several washes, not just one deck.
I used this on a deck that hadn’t been touched in almost three years. Mud, dirt, old leaf stains, all of it. Paired with the pressure washer, the change was almost instant. Boards that looked gray and dull came right back to their natural wood color.
Best for: Decks that have been seriously neglected and need a deep, fast clean.
One thing to know: You need an actual pressure washer for this to work well. Without one, it loses most of its punch.
Also read:
Wood Deck Guide: Types, Costs & Best Wood
Quick Comparison
| Cleaner | Best For | Scrubbing? | Pressure Washer? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet & Forget | Mold, algae, shady decks | No | No |
| Oil Eater | Grease, oil, food stains | A little | No |
| Simple Green Oxy Solve | Pet and kid safe | A little | Recommended |
| STAR BRITE | Slip protection | A little | No |
| Kärcher | Deep, neglected decks | No | Yes |
Common Questions
What’s the best deck cleaner overall?
Wet & Forget. No scrubbing required, and it handles mold, moss, and algae well.
What’s the safest deck cleaner for pets and kids?
Simple Green Oxy Solve. It’s certified by the EPA as a “Safer Choice” product.
Do I need a pressure washer to clean my deck?
Nope. Wet & Forget and STAR BRITE both work fine without one. A pressure washer just speeds things up on really stained decks.
How often should I clean my deck?
Once or twice a year is plenty for most decks. Ideally right before you put down a fresh coat of stain or sealer.
Can deck cleaner hurt my plants or grass?
Some can, especially the bleach-based ones. Oxygen-based cleaners like Simple Green Oxy Solve are a lot gentler on anything growing nearby.
Bottom Line
There’s no single “best” cleaner for every deck. It really depends on what you’re dealing with.
Mold and algae? Go with Wet & Forget. Grease and grime? Oil Eater wins. Cleaning around pets or a garden? Simple Green Oxy Solve is your safer bet. Already own a pressure washer? Kärcher will get it done fast.
Whichever one you grab, remember this: a clean deck isn’t just about how it looks. It protects the wood underneath, and it helps your next coat of stain or sealer last a whole lot longer.
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