How to Clean Concrete Pool Decks

If you're unclear on the proper way to clean a concrete pool deck, you'll be pleased to learn that the process is simpler than you may think. With some household cleaning products and water, yours can be spotless in no time.

Produce Your Homemade Concrete Cleaner

The first step in cleaning concrete pool decks is to produce your own easy-to-make, highly effective concrete cleaner. Start by acquiring a large clean bucket to combine warm water with about a capful of mild bleach unless the solution isn't potent enough. Mix it thoroughly and apply it all over your deck with a mop. Make sure to soak the mop so that you have plenty of the cleanser to spread around.

An alternative, and more eco-friendly, cleaner can be made by mixing water with a mild degreasing soap. It is recommended to start by mixing a low dilution, such as 10 parts water to one part degreaser, and to add gradually more soap should the solution prove to be too weak.

Scrub Your Concrete Pool Deck

With your cleaning solution properly applied, it's now time to scrub. Using a hard-bristled scrub broom, purge any dirt, mildew, or grime from the concrete surface. Make sure to apply a little extra elbow grease if you encounter any stubborn stains or deposits.

Rinse off Your Concrete Cleaner

If you're satisfied with the look of your concrete, it'll be time to rinse off any remaining traces of your bleach mixture. Use a garden hose with a sprayer head or a pressure washer to clear away any remaining chemicals, after which the area should be completely filth-free.

Use TSP for Tough Stains

If creating a cleaner with a higher concentration of bleach or soap does not solve your problems with tough, set-in stains, you might need a heavy-duty cleaner like trisodium phosphate, or TSP.

Put on rubber gloves and a respirator even when working outdoors, to protect yourself before handling. Then, mix 1/4 cup of TSP for every gallon of water in your bucket. For especially tough stains, mix up to 1/2 cup. Apply this cleaner and rinse it just as you did with the others.

Seal the Concrete to Prevent Future Stains

One good way to minimize the amount of hard scrubbing you have to do later is to seal the bare concrete with a pool deck sealant. This solution comes in several brands and can include additives like slip-resistance. Choose whichever type appeals to you and follow the manufacturer's instructions and warnings for proper application.