Cleaning Guide
It’s important to let your customers know that even though Trex is a low maintenance solution, some cleaning will be needed from time to time to keep it looking as good as new. We recommend asking your customers to clean their Trex products at the time of installation using a combination of soap, hot water, and a soft bristle brush. After that, Trex should be cleaned semi-annually, typically in the Spring and Fall.
Below is a general guide for specific cleaning situations your customers may need to know.
| Problem | Cleaning Solution |
| Dirt and Debris | Simply use soap, hot water and a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris. |
| Chalk Markings | All colored chalk lines are permanent except white. We suggest using white chalk or baby powder. Scrubbing the area with hot soapy water with bleach may dislodge some of the chalk. |
| Visible Mill Markings | The mill markings on the side of Trex decking boards are required by building codes. With careful installation, most mill markings can be hidden. Visible mill markings can be lightened with acetone. |
| Water Spots/Leaf Staining | Tannin leaching occurs in Trex and all wood-based products naturally. Allow for at least 16 weeks of normal weathering. This process may be hastened through the use of a product containing oxalic or phosphoric acid commonly known as a Deck Brightener. |
| Pigment Staining | During the weathering process, a small amount of surface pigmentation may wash off of the Trex surface, which may discolor neighboring surfaces. Remove with common rust cleaner. |
| Ice and Snow | Calcium chloride or rock salt, available in many home centers, will melt ice on Trex decking. Rinse off when first practical. |
| Scuffs & Abrasions | Scruffs and abrasions will fade or disappear naturally after 12-16 weeks of weathering. This can be accelerated with a bleach-based deck wash followed by weathering. |
| Rust Stains, Ground-In Dirt and Grime | Use a cleaning product containing oxalic or phosphoric acid base to lighten or remove the rust or dirt. Product may need to sit on stain 10-15 minutes. |
| Oil and Grease Stains | Scrub in a household-degreasing agent as soon as the stain occurs. Rinse with hot water. For more severe stains call 1-800-BUY-TREX. |
| Berries and Wine Stains | Mix bleach into hot water according to the bleach-packaging label. Scrub the stain lightly and rinse thoroughly. The stain may not disappear entirely. |
| Ink Stains | Inks may be permanent. However, the stain may be lightened by scrubbing with hot soapy water. Rinse thoroughly. |
| Mold | Periodic cleaning (Spring and Fall) of your deck, even if it appears clean, is important to prevent the build-up of pollen/debris that can cause mold. To remove mold, use conventional deck washes or cleaners that contain sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and detergent. Find more detailed information on preventing and removing mold. |
Sanding and Pressure Washing
Trex does not recommend sanding or using a pressure washer with Trex products. Sanding will change the appearance of the surface of Trex material. Using a pressure washer that is greater than 1,500 PSI and/or applied closer than 10" from the deck surface could damage the decking surface and result in a loss of warranty coverage.