IPE Deck Cleaning Tips - Step 1

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Tips for Cleaning IPE Wood

IPE exotic hardwood is from the Brazilian Ironwood family. IPE resists rotting, decay, termites and has incredible strength. IPE's amazing durability can be attributed to it's extreme density which makes it 5 times harder then PTP, Cedar, and Redwood. It has become in recent years a favorite for decks but like any exterior wood, IPE needs periodic maintenance.

IPE when left neglected will oxide from the Ultra Violet rays from the sun. This in turn will turn the exposed surface of the IPE wood to a silver gray color. To restore the natural color of the IPE you will need to clean the wood by removing the oxidized wood cells. This is a fairly easy process when you have the correct products.

1. Remove all furniture from area so it is 20 feet away from the deck.
2. Saturate all wood with water.
3. Use a wood deck cleaner such as Restore-A-Deck or Defy Wood Cleaner. Both are powdered concentrates that mix easily with water. The cleaner can be applied with a plastic pump sprayer or a mop/bucket.
4. Lightly pressure wash or hand scrub all gray wood cells. The wood cleaner "softens" the cells so that they can be removed easily. You will notice small wood fibers coming off the deck and the natural wood color of the IPE showing through.
5. When done make sure to rinse all the wood fibers off the deck.
6. Apply a wood brightener to neutralize the cleaner and restore the IPE's color even more. We suggest Restore-A-Deck or Defy Wood Brightener.

You are now done! Cleaning IPE is a fairly easy process and should be done once or twice a year if left unstained. If you prefer to add durability and UV protection for the wood you should use a wood stain designed to penetrate IPE properly: IPE Hardwood Stains

Please read: IPE Deck Staining Tips - Step 2

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