DEFY Wood Cleaner
DEFY Wood Cleaner
DEFY Wood Cleaner

DEFY

DEFY Wood Cleaner

$25.80
SKU: 300186
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Deck Stain How-To Articles
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Deck Staining FAQs
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.

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Before any wood stain goes down, the surface has to be truly clean. DEFY Wood Cleaner is an oxygenated bleach wood deck cleaner that lifts dirt, grime, and weathered graying from exterior wood surfaces without the damage caused by chlorine bleach. Unlike harsh bleach-based deck wash products, DEFY Wood Cleaner won't harm wood fiber, grass, or most plants. It works as a powdered concentrate mixed with water, and you can actually see it working as it foams up and penetrates down into the pores of the wood surface. Even new wood decking benefits from a thorough clean to remove mill scale, opening the grain so deck stains absorb evenly. 

Available in a 2 lb. recyclable container, one package makes five gallons of solution and covers approximately 500–1,000 square feet of exterior wood.

How to Apply DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Wood Stain

Mix: Combine 6 oz. (3/4 cup) of DEFY Wood Cleaner powdered concentrate per gallon of water. Stir until fully dissolved. Powder dissolves faster in warm water. Use the solution within six hours of mixing.

Apply:

  • Horizontal surfaces (decks, outdoor furniture) – Dampen the wood surface first, then apply with a pump sprayer, brush, or mop. Work in 20–30 sq. ft. sections at a time.
  • Vertical surfaces (wood siding, railings) – Dampen first. Apply with a sprayer, starting at the bottom and working upward.

Brush: Let the solution stand 10–20 minutes, keeping the area wet. Scrub horizontal surfaces with a stiff bristle brush or broom. For vertical surfaces, scrub from bottom to top. Note: some raising of wood fiber may occur as pores open.

Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose or power washer (800–1,200 psi). Rinse vertical surfaces continually as you work to prevent streaking. Allow exterior wood surfaces to visually dry before applying DEFY Wood Stains. Heavily weathered surfaces may need a second application.

Safety: Solution will not harm grass or most plants. Rinse vegetation thoroughly after exposure. Product buildup on surfaces may cause slipping.

Click here for Product Data & Safety Sheets.

FAQs

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

Most chlorine bleach based cleaners don't actually remove stains. They bleach them out while damaging wood fiber and harming surrounding vegetation. DEFY Wood Cleaner uses sodium percarbonate, an oxygen bleach, to lift and remove dirt, mildew stains, and weathered gray from exterior wood without that damage. It's a safer, more effective choice for any wood deck or exterior wood surface.

Yes. DEFY Wood Cleaner works well on composite decking in addition to natural wood decking. Always test on an inconspicuous area first and follow all label instructions to confirm compatibility with your specific material.

Yes. Even new wood decking carries mill scale that prevents stains from soaking in properly. Running DEFY wood cleaner over new exterior wood opens the grain and makes the surface more porous, so your semi-transparent stain or solid stain bonds better and lasts longer.

One 2 lb. container makes 5 gallons of solution and covers approximately 500–1,000 square feet depending on porosity. Each gallon covers roughly 100–200 square feet. A standard mid-size wood deck can typically be done with a single container.

Absolutely. DEFY Wood Cleaner is effective on wood siding, deck furniture, and other exterior surfaces beyond just the deck.

TOOLS & APPLICATION

A pump sprayer is the most efficient method for both horizontal surfaces and vertical surfaces. You can also use a mop or soft-bristle brush. For rinsing, a garden hose works fine, or you can use a power washer at 800–1,200 psi for stubborn areas.

Yes. Avoid applying DEFY Wood Cleaner in direct sunlight or on a surface that is too hot to touch. Sun and heat can cause the solution to dry before it has a chance to work. Work in smaller sections and keep the surface wet for best results.

For horizontal surfaces like a wood deck or dock, a stiff bristle brush is recommended to thoroughly work the solution into the wood surface. For vertical surfaces like wood siding, a standard scrub brush used from bottom to top works well.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

Yes. After cleaning with DEFY Wood Cleaner, using DEFY Wood Brightener restores the natural pH of the wood and brings back its natural color. This step gives you the best result before applying any wood stain or sealer.

Allow the outdoor wood to visually dry before applying DEFY Wood Stains. Drying time varies based on weather conditions, but the surface should look dry to the eye rather than damp. There's no need for bone-dry wood with DEFY stains, but visible surface moisture should be gone.

Yes. DEFY Wood Cleaner is effective at removing mildew stains from exterior wood surfaces, including decks, wood siding, and outdoor furniture. For heavily soiled or weathered surfaces, a second application may deliver best results.

Our Recommended Steps for Maximum Performance

Better Wood Starts here

CLEAN or STRIP

Before any stain or sealer goes down, your wood deck or exterior wood surface needs to be properly prepped. DEFY Wood Cleaner handles routine cleaning and weathered gray removal, while a dedicated stain stripper tackles heavier buildup or old coating. Starting clean means your stain bonds better and lasts longer.

SHOP

RESTORE & PROTECT WITH DEFY

DEFY Project Gallery

This white pine dock has been stained with DEFY Marine Seal in Natural Pine.

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