DEFY Wood Cleaner is a safe, oxygenated bleach wood deck cleaning solution that effectively removes dirt, grime, mold, algae, and weathered graying from wood surfaces. Unlike most chlorine bleach based cleaners, this environmentally friendly product is biodegradable and will not harm wood fibers, pets, grass or most plants.

Using a chlorine bleach not only harms the wood as well as the vegetation surrounding the deck, but it doesn’t actually clean or remove any stains. It just bleaches them out. DEFY Wood Cleaner is a safe, powdered, oxygen bleach concentrate that is mixed with water to safely clean and restore the natural beauty of exterior wood.When you use DEFY Wood Cleaner, you can actually see it work as it foams up and penetrates down to the pores to give your deck a thorough cleaning that a chlorine bleach deck cleaner could never hope to accomplish.

Even new wood needs to be cleaned in order to remove mill scale to make the surface more porous to easily absorb deck stains.

DEFY Wood Cleaner is a powdered concentrate sold in 2.25 lb. and 10 lb. recyclable containers. A 2.25 lb. container of DEFY oxygen bleach wood deck cleaner makes five gallons of solution and will clean approximately 500-1,000 total square feet (or 100-200 square feet per gallon). DEFY Wood Cleaner is also an excellent cleaner for vinyl and aluminum siding.

QUICK FACTS

Coverage Rate: Approx. 500-1,000 sq. ft. per 2 lb. container. Each 2 lb. container makes 5 gallons of cleaning solution.
Available Sizes: 2 lb. containers
Application Temperatures: Minimum 45° F
Application Method: Pump sprayer, mop or soft-bristle car wash type brush
Rinsing Method: Garden hose or power washer
Cleanup: Soap and water

Click here for Product Data & Safety Sheets.

DEFY Wood Cleaner is a powdered concentrate that is mixed with water. DEFY Wood Cleaner cleans and restores the natural beauty of exterior wood. This product is also an excellent cleaner for vinyl and aluminum siding. DEFY Wood Cleaner will not harm wood fibers, grass, or most plants. DEFY Wood Cleaner removes dirt, grime, mildew stains, previous coatings (not paint) and weathered graying from horizontal and vertical wood surfaces. DEFY Wood Cleaner is recommended for surface preparation prior to application or reapplication of clear finishes and stains (for best results use DEFY Wood Stain).

NOTE: DEFY Wood Cleaner will darken redwood and some types of cedar. You must use DEFY Wood Brightener to remove darkening caused by DEFY Wood Cleaner.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Use 6 oz. (3/4 cup) of DEFY Wood Cleaner powdered concentrate with each gallon of water. One gallon covers 100-200 sq. ft. depending on wood porosity.

STEP 1: MIX: Mix with water and stir thoroughly until powder is dissolved. Powder dissolves faster in warm water. Solution should be used within six hours of mixing.

STEP 2: APPLY: Horizontal Surfaces – Dampen surface with water before application. Apply DEFY Wood Cleaner solution with a pump sprayer, brush, or mop, working on small areas (20-30 sq. ft.) at a time. Vertical Surfaces – Dampen surface with water before application. Apply with a sprayer working on small areas at a time. Start at the bottom and work to the top.

STEP 3: BRUSH: Horizontal Surfaces – Let solution stand approximately 10-20 minutes, keeping area wet with additional DEFY Wood Cleaner solution. Thoroughly scrub with a stiff, short bristle broom or brush. Vertical Surfaces – Let stand approximately 10-20 minutes, keeping surfaces wet with additional solution. Thoroughly scrub with brush, working from bottom to top. DEFY Wood Cleaner will open wood pores and some raising of wood fibers may occur.

STEP 4: RINSE: Rinse thoroughly with water from garden hose or power washer (with 800-1200 psi) using lowest pressure that cleans without damaging the wood. Repeat steps 2-4 on next small area. Continually rinse cleaned area of vertical surfaces to avoid streaking as work progresses. Allow wood surfaces to visually dry before applying DEFY Wood Stains. Heavily weathered or soiled surfaces may require a second application.

SAFETY & HANDLING: Solution will not harm grass or most plants. Rinse grass & plants thoroughly with water after exposure. Accumulation of product on ladders, scaffolding, decks, etc., may result in a slippery surface.

PRECAUTIONS

DANGER! Corrosive. Causes eye and skin burns. Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Oxidizer - contact with flammable or combustible material may cause fire. Keep out of reach of children. Do not take internally. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes and prolonged contact with skin. Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Avoid breathing mist. Close container tightly after each use. Do not re-use containers. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Wear protective gloves, clothing and eye protection. Contains sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and sodium metasilicate. Do not mix with chlorine bleach or other chemicals. Store in original container only. Accumulation of product on ladders, scaffolding, decks, etc., may result in a slippery surface.

FIRST AID

If inhaled: Move to fresh air. If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Never give an unconscious person anything to drink. Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. Oxygen and/or artificial respiration may be necessary. For skin contact: Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Wash off immediately with soap and plenty of water. Get medical attention if irritation persists. For eye contact: Immediately flush eyes thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, including under the eyelids. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek medical attention immediately. For additional information for this product, consult the Safety Data Sheet available at www.defywoodstain.com.

FAQs

Name: DEFY Wood Cleaner
Brand: DEFY
SKU: 300186
Price: 25.8 USD
Availability: InStock

When you've been making wood stain products as long as we have, you get used to answering similar questions. So we've gathered some of our most frequently asked questions for you here.

If you can't find the answer you're looking for below, we have more FAQ's here. Our blog is also has helpful resources and videos designed to help homeowners with every type of wood stain project.

CLEANING & PREPARATION

Can I pressure wash my deck until it's clean? Or do I need a wood cleaner?

The answer varies based on the current condition of your wood. If you do decide to pressure wash your deck, use pressure between 1,000 or 1,200 psi. Also be sure to work with the grain and never against it, as it will cause damage to the wood's surface and splinters.

If you don't have easy access to a pressure washer or have to pay to rent one, we recommend DEFY Wood Cleaner instead. It's easy to use and will clean deep into the wood, which makes your next coat of wood stain more effective and more beautiful.

Does the wood need to be completely dry before I apply the stain?

If you are using an oil-based stain, definitely. You can use DEFY stains, which are water-based products, even when the surface is slightly damp.

With oil based stains, wood must be bone-dry before you can begin staining. However, DEFY stains are water-based, so you can use them even when the surface is slightly damp.

I constantly have mildew growing on my deck. Why does it grow there and how can I stop it?

If your wood is in constant shade and moisture is present often, you might never be able to prevent mold and mildew completely. However, you can improve your chances with a professional-grade synthetic stain (like DEFY Extreme Wood Stain) compared to an oil based stain. Oils are a critical food source that mold and mildew feed on, so by eliminating the oil from your deck it's less likely to return.

How do I clean mold and mildew off of my deck?

Use a diluted bleach solution to clean it off. Mix DEFY Wood Cleaner with water (five parts water to one part cleaner), spray it on, let it set for five or ten minutes, and rinse it off. The mildew should die off in the process. To prevent it from coming back, stain your deck with DEFY Ultra Wood Stain for the ultimate mold and mildew protection.

TOOLS & APPLICATION

Is there a particular brush I should use with DEFY wood stains?

The best tool for the job varies by the type of job. For decks, the quickest and easiest method to apply DEFY deck stain is with a "car wash" brush. Some have handles and some are handheld and they can be found in most home improvement stores.

Can I use a paint roller to stain my wood?

You can, but we don't recommend it. Paint rollers were designed for thick paint, not water-based wood stains. Using a roller will often simply push the stain around on the surface and not force it into the pores. It can also leave a stipple effect in the finish when the stain has dried.

How do I know if I applied enough stain to my deck?

When using a semi-transparent DEFY stain (Essential, Extreme or Ultra), only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb easily. If any puddles form during your staining process, be sure to brush them out to disperse the puddle.

DEFY Essential and Extreme stains have a flat finish, so if a gloss has formed on the surface the stain has been over-applied. Over time, it will be likely to peel. Even after two coats, your deck should still have a flat finish.

With DEFY Ultra stains, two coats will result in a satin finish. One coat will appear flat. A glossy appearance, would still indicate an over-application.

What’s the best time of the year to stain my deck?

This can vary slightly based on where you live, but typically the Spring and Fall offer the easiest conditions to work in. Below 80° is ideal and regardless of the season, it's best to stay out of direct sunlight because it can cause the stain to dry too quickly.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

Do I really need to stain my deck or can I just let it weather naturally?

We know it's easier NOT to stain your deck, but we've designed DEFY wood stains to be the next easiest thing! Leaving your deck untreated, means you'll be building a new deck in a few years and that's much more expensive than protecting the one you've already got.

Your home's outdoor spaces are extension of your life and they deserve both beauty and protection. DEFY wood stains will help protect your investment from UV rays, stains from mold and mildew, and moisture. Restore and extend the life of your deck with DEFY.

My deck is stained, but it's starting to look weathered. What should I do to help the wood without staining again?

That’s easy! Clean your deck with DEFY Wood Brightener, which will give it a boost in appearance. You can also apply one, light coat of new stain once you've brightened.

My composite deck that is already beginning to gray out. Can I use stain on it to keep it looking new?

Yes, DEFY Composite Deck Sealer works well on most composite wood surfaces. Just follow all of the directions in the same way that you would if you were staining regular wood and you'll love the results!