How to Clean an Ipe Wood Deck

When it comes to natural wood decking, it doesn’t get any better than Ipe.

Ipe is an exotic wood that is about eight times harder than redwood. As a result, this decking is naturally rot, decay, and termite resistant. And because the wood is so high-quality, maintenance for Ipe decks is low.

But that doesn’t mean you should never clean your deck. Here’s how to clean an Ipe wood deck so that it looks fantastic for years to come.

Jump to:

What’s the Safest Way to Clean an Ipe Deck?

Since Ipe wood is incredibly dense and naturally rot-resistant, cleaning it is pretty straightforward. The safest way to clean your Ipe deck is to sweep off leaves and debris regularly. This will prevent staining and mildew formation. If you need to deep clean, use a soft-bristled scrub brush and a bit of dish soap mixed with water.

Best Way to Clean an Ipe Wood Deck

Since Ipe wood is one of the toughest decking materials, keeping it clean is a breeze. Here’s what to do:

Weekly: Sweep the Deck

On a weekly basis, it’s a good idea to sweep off any fallen leaves and debris. You can do this with a large outdoor broom.

Regularly removing debris will keep the deck from staining or getting scratched up.

As Needed: Clean with a Gentle Solution

If your deck has a layer of pollen or dirt built up on it, clean it off with gentle cleaners. Dish soap like Dawn is one of the best options since it’s PH neutral and safe for woods.

Here’s what to do:

Put a bit of dish soap in a bucket of warm water
Dip a soft-bristled scrub brush in the water and lightly scrub the deck
Rinse with a hose

Do You Need to Seal an Ipe Deck?

You don’t necessarily have to seal Ipe wood decks.

After installation, the Ipe wood on your deck will be a rich combination of brown and reds. If you like this color, you can preserve it with a UV-blocking sealant.

Depending on the brand you use, you may need to reapply this sealer once or twice per year.

If you don’t seal your Ipe wood, it will fade to a silvery gray color. This won’t affect the wood’s integrity, though, so don’t add a sealant if you prefer the silver color.

Frequently Asked Question

Can I power wash an Ipe deck?

It’s not recommended to power wash an Ipe deck. Power washers with high pressure can chip away at the top layer of the wood. Plus, since Ipe decks are relatively low maintenance, power washing isn’t usually needed.

How do you keep an Ipe wood deck brown?

If you like the look of your Ipe wood deck in its original form, you can keep the brown color by applying a UV protectant sealant to the deck. Without the UV protector, your Ipe deck will eventually fade to a silvery color.

How do you keep Ipe looking new?

If you want to keep your Ipe looking new, you’ll need to apply a UV-protecting sealant as directed. Also, make sure to keep leaves and debris swept off your deck. This will prevent staining and scratching. Finally, if pollen or dirt builds up, wash it off with dish soap, water, and a soft-bristled brush.

Can I use Oxiclean on my Ipe deck?

Yes, you can use Oxiclean on your Ipe deck. All you need to do is add 1 cup of OxiClean powder to a gallon of warm water and mix. You can then use this combination with a soft-bristled brush to lightly scrub your deck. Finally, use your garden hose to rinse the deck clean.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering how to clean an ipe wood deck, you’re in luck. This type of decking is up there with composite decking in terms of cleaning and maintenance.

Cleaning your Ipe deck is as easy as keeping it swept off and washing it with a mild cleanser and water as needed.