Use and Care Guide

CARE & CLEANING FOR YOUR TREX
®
DECK
All exterior building materials require cleaning. Trex
®
recommends basic cleaning with soap and hot water or a
commercially available deck cleaner twice a year. This will help maintain the beauty of Trex decking, railing and trim.
PROBLEM SOLUTION
Dirt & Debris
Clean deck to remove dirt and debris. Soap and hot water is all that is needed.
Chalk Lines
Most colored chalks are permanent. For Trex use either baby powder or Irwin Strait-Line
®
* Dust-Off
Marking Chalk available at Irwin.com
Visible Printing
The printing on the side of Trex decking boards are required by building codes. With careful installation,
most printing can be hidden. Visible printing can be lightened with acetone.
Water Spots, Leaf Staining and
Wood Tannins
Tannin leaching occurs naturally in Trex and all wood-based products. Allow for at least 12 weeks of normal
weathering. This process may be hastened through the use of a product containing oxalic or phosphoric
acid, commonly known as Deck Brightener.**
Ice & Snow
Calcium chloride or rock salt, available in many home centers, will melt ice on Trex decking. Rinse off
when first practical. Use caution when removing snow or ice with a snow shovel, and NEVER use a metal
snow shovel on a Trex deck. A shovel may scratch the deck, which is not covered under warranty.
Scuffs & Abrasions
Scuffs and abrasions can fade or disappear naturally after 12 - 16 weeks of weathering. This can be
accelerated with a product containing oxalic or phosphoric acid, also known as Deck Brightener.
Rust Stains, Ground-In Dirt & Grime
and Pigment Staining
Use a cleaning product containing oxalic or phosphoric acid base, also known as Deck Brightener, to lighten
or remove rust or dirt. Product may need to sit on the stain for 10 - 15 minutes before rinsing.**
Oil/Grease/Food
Rinse the stain with hot water as soon as possible. Use Pour-N-Restore
®
†
(pour-n-restore.com) as directed
for any remaining stain. (Test in a small area first as Pour-N-Restore may remove some of the colorant from
the decking surface.)
Mold and Mildew
Semi-annual (spring and fall) cleaning of your deck is important to prevent the buildup of pollen and other
debris that can support the growth of mold. Use conventional deck washes or cleaners that contain sodium
hypochlorite (bleach) and detergent.**
NOTE: Trex Escapes
®
can be effectively cleaned by using a hose and warm, soapy water with a soft bristle brush.
Using a Pressure Washer
Trex does not recommend the use of a pressure washer. The use of a pressure washer with a greater than
1,500 psi and/or applied closer than 12” (30.5 cm) from the deck surface could damage the decking surface
and will void the warranty with respect to any condition caused by the pressure washing.
Sanding
Trex does not recommend sanding. Sanding will change the appearance of the surface of Trex material and
will void the warranty with respect to any condition caused by such sanding.
Disposal
Trex decking and railing products should be disposed with normal construction debris or household waste.
Do not burn Trex products.
*Strait-Line is a registered trademark of Irwin Industrial Tool Company.
** Use of products containing bleach or acid will lighten the surface of Trex.
Use in an inconspicuous area to determine whether you like the effect.
Neither product will affect the structural integrity of Trex.
†
Pour-N-Restore is a registered trademark of Edgewater Industries.
HOW OUTDOOR LIVING SHOULD FEEL
NOTE: Trex does not recommend the placement of rubber or vinyl materials such as those in grill mats, rubber-backed
welcome mats, vinyl or PVC potted containers, etc., on the surface of Trex Escapes
®
for extended periods of time. Over
time, additives in the rubber and PVC products have a tendency to migrate from these materials to Trex Escapes, resulting
in discoloration of the surface.