Do you use bleach to clean wood?

No. We never use bleach on wood. Bleach dries the fibers and leaves wood looking fuzzy and weakened. We use the proper wood-safe chemicals paired with light pressure to bring wood back to life.

What kind of wood can you clean?

Decks, fences, pavilions, pergolas, gazebos, log siding, cedar shake, and outdoor wood furniture — pressure-treated, cedar, redwood, and most softwoods and hardwoods.

Is pressure washing safe for wood?

Yes, when done correctly. We use light pressure with the right cleaning solution so the chemistry does the work, not the wand. High pressure on wood causes splintering — we avoid it entirely.

How much does wood or deck cleaning cost?

Pricing typically starts at $150 and goes up based on size, material, and the level of buildup.

Should I seal or stain after cleaning?

We highly recommend it. Cleaning opens the wood grain, making it the ideal time to apply stain or sealer.

Can you clean composite decking like Trex?

Absolutely. We use low pressure and specialized cleaners designed for composite materials.

How often should wood be cleaned?

Most wood surfaces benefit from cleaning every 1–2 years, ideally in spring. Shaded areas may need it more often.

Will cleaning remove mold, mildew, and gray weathering?

Yes. Our wood-safe solutions kill mold, mildew, and algae and lift the gray weathered layer to expose fresh wood underneath.

Professional wood and deck cleaning service

Wood & Deck Cleaning

Bring wood back to life — no bleach, just the right chemistry and light pressure.

Decks, fences, pavilions, pergolas, gazebos, log siding — Ohio's freeze-thaw winters and humid summers leave wood gray, mossy, and tired. We never use bleach to restore wood. Instead, we apply the proper wood-safe chemicals and use light pressure to bring the natural color back, leaving the surface ready for sealing or staining.

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Residential Wood Cleaning

A Fresh Start for Alex’s Deck

After a difficult installation the previous year, Alex finally had the deck she wanted—but felt rushed to choose a stain. Once the deck, posts, and lower landing were finished, she realized the color wasn’t right. Rather than replace the wood, she reached out to Elite Guard Power Washing to explore restoring it.

Before — Alex’s deck with the darker original stain

After — Alex’s deck following cleaning and stain removal

The Right Process Makes the Difference

Stain removal is more involved than a routine wash. We begin by assessing the wood, the existing coating, and any algae or other organic growth. We never use bleach on wood. Instead, we select a wood-appropriate cleaner, give it controlled dwell time without letting it dry, and rinse with carefully reduced pressure.

For Alex’s deck, cleaning was followed by a carefully mixed sodium-hydroxide-based stripper to break down the unwanted stain. Working board by board with controlled hot-water pressure and following the grain helped remove the coating while minimizing damage to the wood fibers. The lighter deck in the after photo shows the transformation.

Restoration, Not Replacement

Every deck and stain behaves differently, so we don’t promise complete stain removal or an exact return to the original appearance. Our goal is to recover as much of the wood’s natural character as its condition allows. Before refinishing, the wood must dry adequately and meet the stain manufacturer’s moisture and preparation requirements—not simply a fixed number of days or months.

At Elite Guard Power Washing, we’ve refined the art of wood cleaning through careful assessment, the right chemistry, and a patient, grain-following approach. Professional restoration can be a practical alternative to replacement, and we’d love to help you find the right path for your deck or outdoor wood project.

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Liability & workers' comp covered on every job.

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No Bleach on Wood

Proper wood-safe chemicals — never bleach.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Fully insured. 100% satisfaction guarantee.

What's Included

Percarbonate cleaner + citric brightener — never bleach
Light pressure following the grain only
Lifts oxidized cell layer, restores natural color
Plants saturated, tarped, and re-watered
Cedar, redwood, pressure-treated, Trex, TimberTech
Surface left stain-ready within 24–48 dry hours

Compatible Materials

DecksFencesPavilionsPergolasGazebosLog sidingCedar shakePressure-treatedCedarRedwoodComposite / Trex

Our Process

1
Property walk & wood assessment
We probe the wood, identify failing boards, and confirm scope and plant locations with you.
2
Landscape saturation
Every hosta, hydrangea, and bed within the splash zone is pre-soaked and tarped where needed.
3
Wood-safe application
Percarbonate cleaner dialed to species and age. No bleach, ever. Solution dwells the right amount of time — no more.
4
Grain-following light-pressure rinse
Rinse with the grain at the pressure the wood can tolerate, then neutralize with a citric brightener to restore color and pH.
5
Closing walkthrough
Plants re-watered, deck blown dry, finished work reviewed with you before pack-out.

Recent Wood & Deck Cleaning Projects

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Before & After: Wood Restoration

Drag each slider to see real Elite Guard transformations — weathered cedar restored to warm natural wood, plus metal roof brought back to a clean finish.