• Wash your deck with a power washer at a low PSI setting.Deck de madeira image by CarlosNeto from Fotolia.com
  
  When your deck requires cleaning, use a power washer to quickly break up buildup from outdoor elements while keeping the deck itself safe from damage and breakage. When used properly, a power washer will clean your deck while keeping your outdoor relaxation space looking brand new.
  
  

Cleaning Solution

• Open your fluid canister on the power washer. Pour in 1 gallon warm water and 1 cup oxygen bleach. Also pour in 1/4 cup dish soap if you have any grease or food stains from barbecue grills or outdoor picnic and eating areas.
  
  

Setting the PSI

• The PSI is the pounds of pressure per square inch setting, and there is a button you can turn to adjust this pressure setting. Set the PSI to 1500, which is safe for any type of deck material.
  
  

Using the Power Washer

• Start at one corner of your deck. Pull the trigger on the hose nozzle of the power washer, and make sure you are holding the nozzle about 2 feet above the deck. Hold the nozzle at a 45-degree angle while washing. Wash along one panel of deck at a time, moving from one side of the deck to the other until you have cleaned the entire deck.
  
  

Rinsing

• Rinse the deck after cleaning with your garden hose, or discard any remaining cleaning solution from the fluid canister, refill the canister with plain water and rinse. Let the deck air dry.