Maintaining and cleaning composite decking boards

Composite decking boards are a popular choice for outdoor flooring due to their low-maintenance nature. To ensure your composite decking boards look like new for years to come, it is important to maintain and clean them properly. Although low-maintenance, it is important to clean composite decking regularly to prevent permanent stains. Unlike wood, you cannot sand composite.

Although polymer composite material is naturally resistant to rot and insects, it can still benefit from a protective layer. Consider applying a special oil to help prevent stains and color fading caused by UV rays. Osmo’s Polymer Composite Maintenance Oil ‘Colorless’ is an impregnating oil for WPC and BPC surfaces. The maintenance oil penetrates the surface and does not build up a layer on the surface. Whether treatment is necessary depends on the composite material. Older and lower-quality composite is prone to staining. Therefore, if you plan to build an outdoor kitchen on it or place a dining table on it, ensure that you treat the composite decking boards with oil and maintain them properly. Do you want to be sure that it adheres to your deck? Then do a test first!

To prevent discoloration and dirt buildup, it is important to clean your composite decking periodically. For cleaning your decking, it is best to use the Composite Cleaner WPC and BPC. This is specifically intended for cleaning wood or bamboo composite. Subsequently, you can refurbish the decking with the maintenance oil. You can tackle the cleaning of your composite decking as follows:

Sweep coarse dirt such as sand and leaves off the composite decking with a broom or hand brush.

Dilute the cleaner 1:20 to 1:10 with water.

Then apply it to the composite decking boards. Tip: Clean the composite decking with a scrubber or stiff brush depending on the rib size.

Let the cleaner work for about 10 minutes.

Rinse the decking with clean water afterwards.

Note: Test the concentrate on a small area first. Never use undiluted and do not apply partially. Do you have a wooden deck instead of BPC? Then read our comprehensive knowledge center article on cleaning wooden decks.

If you notice dull spots on your composite decking, act quickly and apply the maintenance oil. After cleaning as explained above, you can immediately maintain the decking with the Polymer Composite Maintenance Oil.

1. Apply very thinly
Apply the maintenance oil thinly with an Osmo block brush or floor brush. Apply the oil along the length of the decking and distribute it very thinly over the surface.

2. Buff
Remove excess product (puddles and streaks) with a clean polishing cloth or fleece pad. The oil must be absorbed into the surface. No oil should remain on the surface. Excess oil dries very slowly and creates a glossy oil layer without sufficient adhesion to the substrate.

3. Let dry
Allow the decking to dry for 8 to 10 hours. It is important that the surface remains dry. Ensure that the surface does not get wet.