5 methods of making your deck look brand new naturally

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Relaxing on the deck after a long week of wrangling kids or dealing with office drama is a great way to take advantage of life's simple pleasures. But, if your deck looks a little worse for wear, sitting down and relaxing may be the last thing on your mind.
If you want to get back to enjoying your quiet space without donning gloves and inhaling toxic fumes, check out these natural ways you can get your deck looking refreshed:
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1. Scrub with baking soda
This cheap solution is safe and easy too. Simply wet your deck, then coat the wet areas with baking soda. Use a scrub brush to scrub the deck completely before rinsing with clean water. Tip: You may want to do this in sections to prevent the other boards and baking soda from drying up while you work.
2. Create a non-toxic brew
Bob Vila recommends combining 2 gallons of warm water and 2 cups of oxygen bleach in a bucket of warm water. Then add 1/3 of liquid dishwashing soap and stir. Wet the deck by sloshing some of the soap mixture on the deck. Scrub the soap solution into a lather over your entire deck. Let it set for 15 minutes before spraying clean.
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3. Remove grease stains from your deck
If too many backyard barbecues have left your deck looking like a grease-splattered bib, try this solution to remove the grease from the wood: sprinkle powdered laundry detergent directly on the greasy stain. Let it stand for a few minutes before scrubbing with a brush and rinsing away, Tip Nut says.
4. Wash your deck with vinegar and water
Mix 2 cups of vinegar into a gallon of water. Pour the water/vinegar mixture over your entire deck and let is soak for 10 minutes. Use a scrub brush and work your way across the entire surface of your deck. Rinse well. This is a great solution for regular maintenance.

5. Make your own non-toxic DIY Deck Cleaner
This DIY project is cheap and safe for kids and pets. You'll need 2 cups of OxyClean, a scrub brush, bucket, hose and sprayer with a jet nozzle. Soak your deck with water then apply your water/Oxyclean solution to the deck and scrub. From House to Home recommends letting it set for about 10 minutes before scrubbing again and rinsing.
You may need to repeat the process if your deck is really grimy.
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Spend a little time getting your deck in order this summer so you can enjoy a quiet oasis clean enough to walk around on barefoot! If you found these tips helpful, make sure to share them with your friends on Facebook.
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